ESP LTD M-17

4.0 (21)

3 Critic Reviews

5 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

ESP LTD MH-17

$234.00 - $271.49

4.0 (2)

Find out who is using ESP LTD M-17

Featured in

Best 7-String Guitars

2 wishlisted

28 saved

Page last updated May 15, 2026

Pricing and availability

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Reviews

Price

Average Price: $279

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Extended Range Guitars category, ESP LTD M-17 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unlock new musical dimensions with the ESP LTD M-17, an extended range 7-string electric guitar that harmonizes affordability with exceptional craftsmanship. Whether you're an aspiring guitarist or seasoned shredder, this guitar offers a gateway to expanded sonic possibilities without breaking the bank. The basswood body delivers a balanced tonal foundation, perfect for exploring the deeper tonal depths that a 7-string affords.

Designed for comfort, the bolt-on maple neck boasts a thin U contour, providing an agile playing experience that's ideal for intricate riffs and solos. The wide rosewood fingerboard, adorned with 22 XJ frets, offers a smooth playing surface that feels just right under your fingers. From rumbling lows to singing highs, the ESP LH-107 pickups are engineered to capture every nuance of your performance. With a master Volume, Tone, and a 5-way switch, you have the tools at your fingertips for rapid and versatile tone shaping.

The ESP LTD M-17 doesn't just sound great—it looks great too. Chrome hardware, LTD tuners, and a tune-o-matic bridge complete its sleek and modern aesthetic, ensuring that it stands out on stage or at a jam session. This is more than just a guitar; it's a versatile instrument that invites you to expand your musical repertoire.

Key Features:

7-string configuration for expanded tonal range
Basswood body for balanced sound
Bolt-on maple neck with thin U contour for comfortable playability
Rosewood fingerboard with 22 XJ frets
ESP LH-107 pickups for full-range sound capture
Master Volume, Tone, and 5-way switch for versatile tone shaping
Chrome hardware, LTD tuners, and tune-o-matic bridge for enhanced stability and style

Product specs

Brand	ESP LTD
Model	M-17
Finish	Black, Candy Apple Red
Year	2013 - 2017
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape	S-Style
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	String-Through
Color Family	Black, Red
Finish Features	Matching Headstock
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String, 7-String
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	25.5"

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD M-17?: The ESP LTD M-17 features a Thin U neck profile, which provides a comfortable and fast playing experience, ideal for shredding and complex fingerwork.
Is the ESP LTD M-17 suitable for metal music?: Yes, the ESP LTD M-17 is designed with metal and heavy music in mind, featuring dual LH-107 humbuckers that deliver powerful and aggressive tones.
How does the ESP LTD M-17 handle extended range tuning?: The ESP LTD M-17 is a 7-string guitar, offering an extended range that is perfect for lower tunings and adding depth to your sound, making it suitable for modern metal and progressive genres.
What kind of wood is used for the body of the ESP LTD M-17?: The body of the ESP LTD M-17 is made from basswood, which is known for its balanced tone and lightweight properties, making it comfortable to play for extended periods.
Does the ESP LTD M-17 come with a case?: No, the ESP LTD M-17 does not come with a case. A case or gig bag needs to be purchased separately to protect the guitar during transport and storage.
What is the scale length of the ESP LTD M-17?: The ESP LTD M-17 has a scale length of 25.5 inches, which is standard for many electric guitars and helps maintain string tension, especially beneficial for the lower strings on a 7-string guitar.

Videos

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6-String

ESP LTD M-17 Candy Apple Red 7 String Electric Guitar Demo

6-String

LTD ESP M-17 7 String Guitar Review (Extremely underpriced guitar)

Jacob Sage

LTD by ESP m17

Roman Ivanov

unboxing esp ltd m-17 7string

jonny “jigaddy” phillips

Reviews

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PROS

Impressive sound quality, outperforming some higher-priced guitars
Smooth and comfortable fretboard enhances playability
Thin, easy-to-play neck is user-friendly
Stock pickups offer thick, smooth, deep tone
Great sustain with a fixed bridge design
Versatile for both clean and heavy tones
Ideal for experimenting with low tunings
Excellent value for money in its price range
Underrated guitar with unexpected quality

CONS

Paint finish has noticeable ridges and valleys
Strings tend to get out of tune quickly
Bridge adjustment can be challenging
Neck-heavy design may affect balance
Limited resale value compared to other models

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD M-17.

Features and functionality

0 0

The M-17 has only 22 frets, limiting its range compared to some other 7-string models.
Source
0 0

While the M-17 has a matte finish, it lacks a true full matte, which might not meet expectations for a completely non-glossy look.
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Comparisons

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The JS22-7 is noted for its active mount pickups, appealing to those who prefer the aesthetic and potential tonal benefits.
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0 0

MH-17 pickups are considered better than stock Ibanez pickups, though they may still require upgrades for optimal sound.
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Use cases and applications

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The M-17's 25.5-inch scale length is deemed sufficient for drop A tuning by users already accustomed to similar setups on 6-string guitars.
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0 0

Despite its scale length, the MH-17 can handle drop G tuning effectively with a light touch and proper setup.
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Setup and maintenance

0 0

Running a 13-74 gauge can affect stability due to non-locking proprietary tuners; switching to 10-64 improves stability.
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0 0

Owners recommend using locking tuners for improved tuning stability, especially when using lighter string gauges like 10-59 in drop G tuning.
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User experience

0 0

Owners report satisfactory sound with high gain, suitable for metal genres.
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0 0

The neck on the MH-17 is described as "baseball bat thick," making it feel bulky and less comfortable for some players.
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Mods and upgrades

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Some owners consider switching to active pickups for enhanced tone, indicating potential for future upgrades.
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0 0

Some users have upgraded to locking Gotoh tuners and noted an improvement in tuning reliability.
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Build quality

0 0

The MH-17 requires additional work upon purchase, such as fret leveling and polishing, to improve playability.
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Critic Reviews

ESP LTD M-17 review on reviewingthis.com

reviewingthis.com

The ESP LTD M-17 is a budget-friendly seven-string guitar that offers decent build quality with a basswood body and a bolt-on maple neck. While it’s a fun piece for experimenting at home, especially for those new to seven-strings, the guitar's pickups are a letdown, producing a muddier sound with lack of definition, particularly in solos. The high action might deter some players, but a DIY setup could improve playability. With its singular black finish, it firmly targets the metal genre, lacking versatility in aesthetics. Overall, a decent entry point for beginners or casual players seeking an affordable seven-string without expecting pristine sound quality.

neutral

Full Review

LTD M-17 Review: I didn't buy it to record with or gig with, at... | ESP | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The ESP LTD M-17 impresses as a budget-friendly 7-string guitar, fulfilling its niche in metal riffing with decent sound, though not exceptional. While its ceramic pickups manage a good high-gain tone, they tend to be muddy, and the basswood body lacks resonance. The guitar's features are commendable for its price, but prospective buyers should be cautious of potential inconsistencies in build quality typical to this price range. Action and finish are generally satisfactory, yet there's room for improvement. Suitable for beginners or as a backup, this guitar's reliability over time remains uncertain. Overall, it's a solid entry-level choice if you're mindful to inspect before purchase.

neutral

Full Review

LTD M-17 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The ESP LTD M-17 is an enticing bargain for those looking to explore the world of seven-string guitars without breaking the bank. Boasting solid build quality and excellent playability, it offers great value for money. While its ESP Designed humbuckers are not the best and the clean tones could be improved, the guitar excels in delivering heavy, gain-driven sounds. The M-17 is not a versatile all-rounder, but for the price, it provides a satisfying entry into extended-range guitars, making it a worthwhile consideration for those prioritizing affordability and low-end power.

positive

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 21 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

murilocassio

almost 4 years ago

It plays great

Very versatile, cleans are great, heavy stuff as well. Strings get out of tune very quickly. Hard to adjust the bridge properly. But the price is ok and it can handle pretty well the basic expectation.

Roles:

Guitarist Music Producer Podcasters & Streamers

Genres:

Rock Metal

sole_technician

140

over 9 years ago

Amazing For The Price, Solid And Great Sound

Great sounding 7 string guitar, plenty of low end. Missing a bit of edge to the sound, but I use a ton of effects and processing and add compression in my mix, so overall, for what I do, it's the best extended range guitar I've owned.

hippie_james

374

almost 11 years ago

Beginer 7 String

A good guitar to try out playing 7 string before investing in a nicer model. The one I had had a nice clean tone which was surprising

phil_isix

751

over 10 years ago

Very easyly playable guitar - Good Neck

She can help you to sound great and play quickly without being tired after 5 minutes. Great sustain, and no tremolo, strings go through the body by the fixed bridge, angd the pickups are very high gain. The th string adds very large spectrum it seemed to be missing before.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Rock Pop Folk, World, & Country

thallamander

over 8 years ago

Budget 7 string

It's a 7 string. It works. It can be a bit neck heavy.

Artist usage

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Johnny Braddock

Guitarist

Get Scared

Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Get Scared's Johnny Braddock - GEAR MASTERS (Revisited) Ep. 75" by Digital Tour Bus, Johnny Braddock discusses his use of an ESP LTD M-17 electric guitar. He mentions the possibility of having replaced the stock passive humbuckers with active humbuckers.