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Average Price: $1,425

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Description

The ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III is a masterfully crafted solid body electric guitar, designed to deliver both performance and style to musicians who demand more from their gear. Rooted in the precision of Japanese craftsmanship, this guitar combines expert luthiery with cutting-edge design, making it a prized addition for any guitarist's arsenal. The neck-through-body construction ensures unparalleled sustain and clarity, ideal for those blistering solos that need to cut through the mix.

With a scale length of 25.5", the Horizon-III is perfect for players who favor down-tuned styles, providing a robust foundation for modern rock and metal genres. The pairing of Seymour Duncan Custom-5 and Jazz pickups offers versatile tonal capabilities, from crystal-clear cleans to high-gain crunch, allowing you to explore a wide array of sonic landscapes. The meticulous craftsmanship extends to its aesthetic appeal, with an alder body topped with flamed maple, and a sleek ebony fingerboard that enhances playability and comfort.

This guitar is not just about looks and sound; it’s about feeling connected to your music. Whether you're shredding on stage or laying down tracks in the studio, the ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III is engineered to inspire and elevate your musical journey.

Key Features:

  • Neck-through-body construction for enhanced sustain and note definition
  • 25.5" scale length, perfect for down-tuned playing styles
  • Seymour Duncan Custom-5 (bridge) and Jazz (neck) pickups for versatile tones
  • Alder body with flamed maple top, maple neck, and ebony fingerboard
  • Made in Japan by ESP's expert luthiers, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship

Product specs

Brand ESP LTD
Model Elite Horizon-III
Year 2013
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Blue
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Neck Construction Neck-Through
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Flamed

FAQs

What type of music is the ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III best suited for?

The ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III, equipped with Seymour Duncan Custom-5 and Jazz pickups, is versatile but particularly excels in rock and metal genres due to its powerful humbucking configuration and neck-through construction for sustained tones.

How does the neck-through construction of the ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III affect playability?

The neck-through construction enhances sustain and provides smoother access to higher frets, making it ideal for fast, technical playing styles.

What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III like?

The ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III features a Thin U neck contour, which offers a comfortable grip and facilitates faster playing, especially beneficial for lead guitarists.

Are the pickups on the ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III suitable for clean tones?

Yes, the Seymour Duncan Jazz neck pickup provides clear, articulate clean tones, while the Custom-5 bridge pickup offers a more powerful, punchy sound, making the guitar versatile for various styles.

Does the ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III come with locking tuners?

Yes, the guitar is equipped with Gotoh Magnum Lock tuners, ensuring stable tuning and making string changes quicker and easier.

What kind of bridge does the ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III have?

The guitar features a Gotoh TOM bridge, known for its stability and precise intonation, which is ideal for both rhythm and lead playing.

Is the ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III suitable for live performances?

Yes, its neck-through construction, stable tuning, and versatile pickup configuration make it an excellent choice for live performances, providing reliability and a wide range of tones.

Neogeofanatic

Neogeofanatic

LTD Elite Horizon III sound test - Neogeofanatic

Video thumbnail for LTD Elite Horizon III sound test - Neogeofanatic by Neogeofanatic

LTD Elite Horizon III sound test - Neogeofanatic

Neogeofanatic

Neogeofanatic

Video thumbnail for ESP Guitars: Guitar of the Week - LTD Elite Horizon-III by ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: Guitar of the Week - LTD Elite Horizon-III

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars USA

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Elite Horizon III Chat by Guitar Gear Guy

ESP LTD Elite Horizon III Chat

Guitar Gear Guy

Guitar Gear Guy

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Elite Horizon III  - Гитарный ОБЗОР (FullHD) \w/ by Valentine Mikhler

ESP LTD Elite Horizon III - Гитарный ОБЗОР (FullHD) \w/

Valentine Mikhler

Valentine Mikhler

Video thumbnail for ESP - LTD Elite Horizon-III Demo at GAK by GAK

ESP - LTD Elite Horizon-III Demo at GAK

GAK

GAK

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Elite 2013 HORIZON-III Flamed Maple with Seymour Duncan Reindeer Blue Electric Guitar by 6-String

ESP LTD Elite 2013 HORIZON-III Flamed Maple with Seymour Duncan Reindeer Blue Electric Guitar

6-String

6-String

Video thumbnail for NAMM 2013 ESP LTD Elite Horizon III by Guitar Gear Guy

NAMM 2013 ESP LTD Elite Horizon III

Guitar Gear Guy

Guitar Gear Guy

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III by Rafiq Basaria

ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III

Rafiq Basaria

Rafiq Basaria

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD Elite Horizon-III.

Build quality

  • The volume pot is positioned close to the bridge, which some players find inconvenient.

    Source
  • The guitar lacks a forearm bevel, which can cause discomfort during extended playing sessions.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners report the LTD Elite Horizon-III is equivalent in quality to the E-II series, often available at lower prices.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite being a 2013 model, the guitar is often found in mint condition, reflecting its durability and quality craftsmanship.

    Source
  • Some owners find the Horizon III aesthetically too bold, preferring the subtler design of the NT-II for its classic appeal.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the guitar's versatility, noting it can deliver both crushing distorted tones and beautiful clean sounds.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The ESP E-II Horizon III is noted for its "flashy" look with a longer horn, contrasting with the more traditionally styled NT-II.

    Source
  • The Horizon III offers variety for RG owners, adding a different body shape and potentially expanding tonal options.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The choice between active and passive pickups is crucial, as active pickups can sound harsh unless EQ'd properly, with Seymour Duncan being a favored option.

    Source
  • The bridge pickup excels in delivering tones reminiscent of Metallica and Testament, while also being capable of producing dirty blues sounds.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The NT-II is praised for its resale value and comfort, especially with the newer sparkle models featuring Hipshot bridges.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The guitar's action is reportedly perfect out of the box, requiring only tuning before playing.

    Source

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