Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$1,199.00
Amazon
3.4 (4)
$1,046.52 Used
Reverb
4.0 (7)
$887.26 New
$550.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (1)
$1,199.00
Thomann
5.0 (3)
$979.00
Gear4Music
£992.00

Average Price: $977

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step back into the era of high-octane rock with the ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87, a guitar that captures the essence of 1987 with modern precision. Designed for the discerning shredder, this retro-inspired instrument offers a neck-thru body construction that ensures seamless access to the highest frets, making it ideal for intricate solos and rapid riffing. The sleek alder body is paired with a three-piece extra thin U-shaped maple neck, delivering not only a comfortable grip but also the speed and agility required for fast-paced performance.

At the heart of the M-1 Custom '87 lies a single Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 pickup, engineered to produce roaring tones with crisp clarity. With the addition of a push-pull control for coil splitting, versatility is at your fingertips, allowing you to switch between powerful humbucking sounds and single-coil bite. For those moments when you need a surge of sonic energy, the EMG PA-2 boost switch is ready to propel your sound over the edge.

The Floyd Rose 1000 bridge, sans recess route, ensures stable tuning even during the most aggressive dive bombs and pull-ups. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate hobbyist, the LTD M-1 Custom '87 is a testament to the enduring legacy of ESP's craftsmanship, blending vintage flair with modern functionality to inspire your next musical adventure.

Key Features:

  • Neck-thru body construction for enhanced playability
  • Alder body with a three-piece extra thin U-shaped maple neck
  • Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 pickup with push-pull coil splitting
  • EMG PA-2 boost switch for additional power
  • Floyd Rose 1000 bridge for reliable tuning stability

Product specs

Brand ESP LTD
Model M-1 Custom '87
Finish Black, Candy Apple Red, Dark Metallic Blue, Dark Metallic Purple, Metallic Gold, Rainbow Crackle
Year 2020 - 2025
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Alder
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Locking Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Blue, Gold, Purple, Red
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Metallic
Fretboard Material Ebony
Fretboard Radius 12"
Neck Construction Neck-Through
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.65"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration H
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What type of music is the ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 best suited for?

The ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 is ideal for metal and hard rock genres, thanks to its high-output pickup and fast neck profile, which cater to aggressive playing styles and heavy distortion.

Does the ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 have a tremolo system?

Yes, the ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 features a locking tremolo bridge, allowing for significant pitch modulation while maintaining tuning stability.

What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87?

The ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 has a thin U-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable and fast playing experience, especially suitable for shredding and technical playing.

What pickup configuration does the ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 have?

The ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 is equipped with a single high-output humbucker pickup, designed to deliver powerful and clear tones for heavy music styles.

Is the ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 suitable for beginners?

While the ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 offers professional-grade features, beginners may find it slightly advanced due to its specialized design for metal and rock. However, its playability can benefit those willing to invest time in learning.

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: LTD M-1 Custom '87 Demo by Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk)

Video thumbnail for ESP Guitars: LTD M-1 Custom '87 Demo by Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk) by ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: LTD M-1 Custom '87 Demo by Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk)

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars USA

Video thumbnail for Metallica - Lux Aeterna | guitar cover by ALEX S | LTD M-1 CUSTOM 87 by Alex S

Metallica - Lux Aeterna | guitar cover by ALEX S | LTD M-1 CUSTOM 87

Alex S

Alex S

Video thumbnail for ESP Guitars: LTD M-1 Custom '87 Demo by Pat Heath by ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: LTD M-1 Custom '87 Demo by Pat Heath

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars USA

Video thumbnail for LTD M-1 Custom '87 Series - Unboxing and Demo by Skar Productions

LTD M-1 Custom '87 Series - Unboxing and Demo

Skar Productions

Skar Productions

Video thumbnail for ESP Guitars: LTD M-1 Custom '87 Demo by Cameron Stucky by ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: LTD M-1 Custom '87 Demo by Cameron Stucky

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars USA

Video thumbnail for ESP Guitars: LTD M-1 Custom '87 Demo by Jamie Hunt by ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: LTD M-1 Custom '87 Demo by Jamie Hunt

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars USA

Video thumbnail for #Test: LTD  M-1 Custom '87 by GuitarmanicPL

#Test: LTD M-1 Custom '87

GuitarmanicPL

GuitarmanicPL

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD M1-Custom Metal Guitar Review & Demo - Candy Apple Red by The Guitar Grappler

ESP LTD M1-Custom Metal Guitar Review & Demo - Candy Apple Red

The Guitar Grappler

The Guitar Grappler

Video thumbnail for M 1 CUSTOM '87 ESP : LTD Guitar demo (no talking) Candy Apple Red by Kevin Storm

M 1 CUSTOM '87 ESP : LTD Guitar demo (no talking) Candy Apple Red

Kevin Storm

Kevin Storm

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD M1 Custom 87 @ studiogears.com by Studio Gears

ESP LTD M1 Custom 87 @ studiogears.com

Studio Gears

Studio Gears

Reviews

PROS

  • Fast neck and excellent fret work for smooth playability

  • Single humbucker delivers great sound from blues to shredding metal

  • High craftsmanship comparable to premium Japanese models

  • Bright and resonant tone with great sustain

  • Beautiful finish and visually striking design

  • Excellent playability and fit and finish

CONS

  • Issues with Floyd Rose not being smooth

  • Fine tuners feel sharp and uncomfortable

  • Tuning keys are of poor quality and may need replacement

  • Some units may have high action that’s hard to adjust

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87.

Setup and maintenance

  • Adjusting the D-tuna requires the fine tuner to be almost fully up for proper clearance and tuning stability.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Custom hand-engraved pickup rings can enhance aesthetics; these are often made by owners or friends.

    Source
  • Grover tuners are considered for aesthetic customization, even though they may be redundant with a locking nut.

    Source

User experience

  • Extremely low action is achievable, with slight adjustments to the low E string to prevent buzzing.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The M-1 Custom '87 is favored over crackle finishes, with a preference for a potential silver sparkle model.

    Source

3.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jacob Duarte uses ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87

Jacob Duarte

Singer, Guitarist

Narrow Head

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Narrow Head ▶ Bangkok, Thailand 29.06.24 [FULL SET]," Jacob Duarte is seen playing the ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 Apple Red for the majority of the performance. This video was uploaded by palesights on YouTube, documenting Narrow Head's show at Blueprint Livehouse during their "Moments of Clarity" Southeast Asia Tour 2024.

See how Kone uses ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87

Kone

Guitarist

Lordi

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video you can see Kone - new guitarist of Lordi band playing on red ESP LTD M-1 Custom

Album Usage

The ESP LTD M-1 Custom '87 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

More ESP Solid Body Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides