ESP-LTD Viper-256

$479.00 to $499.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (4)

1 Review

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2 community setups

3 wishlisted

8 saved

Page last updated Jun 29, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated June 29, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.5 (2)

$499.00

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5.0 (16)

$479.00 37 available New

$200.00 7 available Used

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Average Price: $393

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, ESP-LTD Viper-256 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "ESP-LTD Viper-256". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the raw energy and versatility of the ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry, a solid-body electric guitar that pays homage to the iconic SG style with a twist of its own. Crafted for musicians who straddle the realms of hard rock, metal, and blues, this guitar's ESP LH-150 Humbucker pickups ensure that it delivers a powerful, rich tone that can adapt to a myriad of musical genres. Its mahogany body, paired with a choice of Rosewood or Jatoba fretboards, offers a playing experience that's both comfortable and responsive, making it a reliable companion for both stage performances and studio sessions. Whether you're shredding solos or crafting intricate rhythms, the Viper-256's double-cutaway design allows for effortless access to the upper frets, ensuring that your creativity knows no bounds. Finished in a striking See Thru Black Cherry, this guitar isn't just a tool for music, but a statement piece that stands out in any collection.

Key Features:

ESP LH-150 Humbucker pickups for versatile, powerful sound
Mahogany body for warm, resonant tones
Choice of Rosewood or Jatoba fretboards for smooth playability
Double-cutaway design for easy access to upper frets
Available in See Thru Black Cherry, Snow White, and Military Green Satin finishes

Product specs

Brand	ESP LTD
Model	Viper-256
Finish	Black, Dark Brown Sunburst, Military Green Satin, Olympic White, See Thru Black Cherry, Snow White
Year	2013 - 2025
Made In	Vietnam
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material	Mahogany
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Stop-Bar
Color Family	Black, Brown, Green, Red, White
Finish Features	Matching Headstock
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Jatoba, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius	13.78"
Neck Construction	Set-Neck
Neck Material	Mahogany
Number of Frets	24
Number of Strings	6-String
Offset Body	Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	24.75"
Top Material	Maple
Wood Top Style	Opaque, Plain, Quilted

FAQs

What kind of music is the ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry best suited for?: The ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry, with its dual humbucker pickups and mahogany body, excels in rock and metal genres, providing a thick, punchy tone with plenty of sustain.
Does the ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry have a coil-split feature?: Yes, the ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry features a coil-split function, allowing you to switch between humbucking and single-coil tones for added versatility.
What is the neck profile of the ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry like?: The ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry has a comfortable, set-neck construction with a 24.75" scale length, making it easy to play fast riffs and solos.
Is the ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry suitable for beginners?: While the ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry is designed with features that appeal to advanced players, its comfortable neck and versatile sound make it accessible for beginners as well.
What type of bridge does the ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry use?: The ESP-LTD Viper-256 Cherry is equipped with a tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, providing stable tuning and easy intonation adjustments.

Videos

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ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: Rowan Robertson demos LTD Viper-256

ESP Guitars USA

Don't Miss This Guitar UNDER $500 ! // LTD Viper-256 // Review & Sound

Strings of Rock

ESP LTD Viper 256

Jon is just TOO LouD!!

Vintage Looks With A Modern Feel, At A Great Price! - The LTD Viper 256!

PMTVUK

ESP LTD VIPER-256 STBC | TV Guitar Center

TVGuitarCenter

ESP LTD Viper 256 See Thru Black Cherry | Set Neck with Roasted Jatoba Fingerboard! |

Uhlik Music

Reviews

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PROS

Comfortable thin neck for easier fretting and barre chords
Gorgeous quilted maple finish and offset shape are visually stunning
Versatile tones with coil splitting and out of phase switch
High-quality sound rivaling more expensive brands
Straightforward design makes restringing and maintenance easy
Excellent fret work and spot-on intonation out of the box
Affordable price for the quality and performance

CONS

Tuners might need upgrading for some players
Doesn't fully replicate the tone of Gibson or Fender models

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP-LTD Viper-256.

Features and functionality

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The coil-split feature offers a thinner, treblier sound, but not a typical 'Strat' quack.
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Use cases and applications

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The Viper-256's passive humbuckers support genres like blues and jazz, beyond its metal aesthetic.
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Noted for its appeal among hardcore music fans, linked to NYC legend Vinnie Stigma.
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Thrash metal and hard rock players report the guitar excels in live and studio settings due to its durability and tone versatility.
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Comparisons

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Owners prefer the Viper-256's coil-split function over non-Fender Strats like Samick and Pacifica for tonal versatility.
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The Viper-256 is favored over Epiphone Les Pauls and SGs for feel and playability among some users.
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Some owners found the LTD Viper neck-heavy compared to Carvin models, impacting playability and balance.
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User experience

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Some users appreciate the warm tones of the Viper-256, finding it adaptable across different music styles.
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Despite being subject to rigorous touring conditions, ESP guitars, including the Viper, are noted for their resilience and durability.
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Build quality

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Some owners prefer the Viper-256's unique SG body shape over Gibson's, citing a more appealing slant.
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Mods and upgrades

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Users often replace stock pickups, citing a preference for thicker tones, with EMGs being replaced for a better sound profile.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

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cardiastro

over 7 years ago

If you ever see one of these in a store, don't hesitate to try it

Gooooooood bleeeessss. I first found this at a Music Royale for about 500 dollars. I played it for about 2 seconds and realized I didn't even wanna put it down. The neck is comfortable, a little on the thin side, but considering I play Ibanez and mostly metal style guitars, it's fine for me XP. First restring was a breeze, obviously the bridge makes it easy, but there's also the factor that this is a really straight forward, and easy to fix guitar. Mind you, the fact it coil taps on both pickups can be a make or break for some. Once again, it shouldn't surprise you that it made me pretty happy! Overall, LTD gets a little underrated in terms of what sounds they bring to the table. They're versatile...Beyond belief. Sure, this thing isn't gonna sound anywhere really close to the Les Paul (Especially in terms of clean sounds), or the actual SG it's built after. But if you're looking for a good all around guitar for cheap, this thing does anything for me but disappoint. I've played some LTD's in the past that could barely stay in tune (As you can guess, I don't own any of those), but this thing is a beast. I'm not saying they ALL stay in tune, but for sure, this one's never really taken more than a day to get it's new strings all stretched and ready to go. Overall, this is a whole new world in terms of it's quality. It doesn't have all the flashy things a high dollar guitar would have, but it makes up for it, with great sound, alongside play-ability.

Artist usage

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Bob Kulick

Guitarist

W.A.S.P.

Verified via Photo

06.08.2015. "Todays recording session at The Counts Desert Moon Studio, working on some of my NEW songs for my upcoming new Solo EP". #RIPBobKulick

Jamie MacDonald

Singer, Guitarist

Paranormal Arson

Verified via Photo

Color/Finish: Black with White Pickguard Year: 2000s

In an Instagram post by Jamie MacDonald, the LTD Viper 256 is standing beside his setup, confirming its use. This is evidenced by the photo shared on his account, paranormalarson902.