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Average Price: $832

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Experience the refined craftsmanship and tonal versatility of the ESP LTD M-400 with Maple Fretboard. This solid body electric guitar is designed to cater to the modern guitarist seeking a blend of classic style and cutting-edge performance. The maple fretboard not only enhances playability with its smooth, fast surface but also adds a bright, articulate tonal quality to your sound. The M-400 is equipped with dual EMG 81 and 85 pickups, delivering a powerful, precise sound that thrives in high-gain settings, making it a favorite for metal and hard rock genres.

The guitar's body is crafted from mahogany, offering a resonant and full-bodied tone, while the sleek double-cutaway design ensures easy access to the higher frets. A thin U-shaped neck profile provides comfort for speedy solos and complex riffs, making it a perfect match for shredders and technical players alike. The Floyd Rose Special tremolo system allows for expressive dive bombs and pitch shifts, all while maintaining rock-solid tuning stability. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the ESP LTD M-400 is built to deliver performance and reliability.

Key Features:

  • Solid mahogany body with a double-cutaway design
  • Maple fretboard for smooth playability and bright tone
  • Dual EMG 81 and 85 active pickups for powerful, precise sound
  • Thin U-shaped neck profile for comfort and speed
  • Floyd Rose Special tremolo system for expressive play and tuning stability

Product specs

Brand ESP LTD
Model M-400 with Maple Fretboard
Year 2016
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Locking Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Blue, Red
Finish Style Metallic
Fretboard Material Maple
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups does the ESP LTD M-400 with Maple Fretboard have?

The ESP LTD M-400 is equipped with a humbucker pickup configuration (HH), providing powerful and versatile tones suitable for various music genres, especially rock and metal.

Is the ESP LTD M-400 suitable for advanced guitar players?

Yes, the ESP LTD M-400 is designed with advanced players in mind, featuring a fast maple neck, 24 frets, and a locking tremolo bridge for enhanced playability and performance.

How does the maple fretboard on the ESP LTD M-400 affect the guitar's tone?

The maple fretboard on the ESP LTD M-400 offers a bright and snappy tonal quality, which complements the warm sound of its mahogany body, providing a balanced and articulate sound.

Does the ESP LTD M-400 have a locking tremolo system?

Yes, the ESP LTD M-400 is equipped with a locking tremolo bridge, allowing for precise tuning stability and the ability to perform dive bombs and other tremolo effects without detuning.

What is the neck construction of the ESP LTD M-400?

The ESP LTD M-400 features a bolt-on neck construction, which contributes to its bright tone and offers easy access to the higher frets for soloing.

SAZZAD AREFEEN

SAZZAD AREFEEN

ESP LTD M-400 Review by Sazzad Arefeen

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD M-400 Review by Sazzad Arefeen by SAZZAD AREFEEN

ESP LTD M-400 Review by Sazzad Arefeen

SAZZAD AREFEEN

SAZZAD AREFEEN

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD M-400 & H-401 Overview w/ Daniel & Tim from ESP Australia by BelfieldMusicShop

ESP LTD M-400 & H-401 Overview w/ Daniel & Tim from ESP Australia

BelfieldMusicShop

BelfieldMusicShop

Video thumbnail for LTD M-400M + MH-1000NT –– Kitarablogi.com by Kitarablogi

LTD M-400M + MH-1000NT –– Kitarablogi.com

Kitarablogi

Kitarablogi

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD M-400 with Maple Fretboard.

Comparisons

  • Schecter's darker tone contrasts with ESP's brighter EMG 81 pickup, ideal for thrash metal's upper midrange bite.

    Source
  • Schecter offers better build quality in the same price range compared to ESP, according to some owners.

    Source
  • One user found Ibanez Prestige models to have superior QC compared to Korean LTDs, citing flawless finishes and setups as a benchmark.

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Features and functionality

  • ESP M-400's simplicity stands out, with a black Floyd Rose Special, contrasting Schecter's more intricate design.

    Source
  • The dark metallic red finish of the M-400M can appear subdued in photos, but the maple neck stands out visually, creating a striking contrast.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • ESP's maple neck enhances upper midrange, contributing to a sharper sound suited for fast-paced thrash riffs.

    Source
  • Schecter provides a more impactful tone for midtempo metal, potentially outperforming ESP in such settings.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the combination of an LTD with a Schecter for a wide range of metal tones, indicating versatility in handling both standard and drop tunings.

    Source

User experience

  • The "extra thin U" neck on the M-400M is ideal for players with smaller hands, enhancing comfort and playability, especially for barre chords and quick scale runs.

    Source
  • Some owners report that while their LTD guitars had minor cosmetic issues, the playability post-setup was highly satisfactory, indicating potential for high performance despite initial flaws.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some owners reported glue residue from frets 1-13 and tool marks on frets 15-22, suggesting occasional QC inconsistencies in the LTD 1000 series.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Users frequently mention guitars arriving with high action needing adjustments like pickup height, truss rod, and action setup, even on high-end models.

    Source

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