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Average Price: $159

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

Unleash your inner rockstar with the ESP LTD Viper-50, a workhorse that combines classic design with modern sensibility. Crafted for those who crave seamless playability, this solid body electric guitar is a perfect companion for both budding musicians and seasoned players. Its dual ESP LH-150 pickups deliver a powerful, noise-free performance, ensuring your sound remains pure and dynamic. The 24-3/4" scale length offers a comfortable playing experience, reducing string tension without compromising on tone.

The Viper-50 features a sleek basswood body, which provides a balanced tonal foundation, while the maple neck and rosewood fretboard promise durability and smooth action. This guitar is engineered for versatility, making it suitable for any music genre, from heavy riffs to soulful blues. Whether you're jamming at home or performing on stage, the Viper-50 is built to handle it all with confidence.

Key Features:

  • Dual ESP LH-150 humbucking pickups
  • 24-3/4" scale length for reduced string tension
  • Basswood body with maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Solid body electric guitar design

Product specs

Brand ESP LTD
Model Viper-50
Finish 2-Tone Burst, Black, Black Cherry, Olympic White, Silver Sunburst, Titanium
Year 2004 - 2014
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Brown, Red, Silver, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Maple
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"
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD Viper-50 like?

The ESP LTD Viper-50 features a thin U-shaped neck profile, which offers a comfortable grip and facilitates fast playing, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned players.

What kind of pickups does the ESP LTD Viper-50 have, and what tones can they produce?

The ESP LTD Viper-50 is equipped with ESP LH-150 humbucking pickups, which deliver a powerful sound suitable for rock and metal genres, providing a good balance of clarity and aggression.

Is the ESP LTD Viper-50 suitable for beginners?

Yes, the ESP LTD Viper-50 is an excellent choice for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile, manageable 24.75" scale length, and versatile tone capabilities, making it easy to play and adaptable to various music styles.

What is the scale length of the ESP LTD Viper-50, and how does it affect playability?

The ESP LTD Viper-50 has a 24.75" scale length, which reduces string tension and makes bending strings easier, contributing to a more comfortable playing experience.

Does the ESP LTD Viper-50 have a set-neck or bolt-on neck construction?

The ESP LTD Viper-50 features a bolt-on maple neck, providing solid construction and ease of maintenance, while still offering good sustain and resonance.

Artyom Reborn

Artyom Reborn

ESP LTD VIPER-50 OW - Demo Guitar

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD VIPER-50 OW - Demo Guitar by Artyom Reborn

ESP LTD VIPER-50 OW - Demo Guitar

Artyom Reborn

Artyom Reborn

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Viper-50 Review by mpalin11

ESP LTD Viper-50 Review

mpalin11

mpalin11

Video thumbnail for Электрогитара LTD VIPER 50 by PopMusicRu

Электрогитара LTD VIPER 50

PopMusicRu

PopMusicRu

Video thumbnail for LTD VIPER 50 Demo by Studio 77 Bahrain

LTD VIPER 50 Demo

Studio 77 Bahrain

Studio 77 Bahrain

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Viper 50 Sound Demo | Line 6 Helix by Clint Curtis

ESP LTD Viper 50 Sound Demo | Line 6 Helix

Clint Curtis

Clint Curtis

Video thumbnail for esp ltd viper 50 review by MADMALKO

esp ltd viper 50 review

MADMALKO

MADMALKO

Reviews

PROS

  • Easy to play, great for daily practice

  • Provides good sound value for the price

  • Offers a variety of sound options

  • Heavy build contributes to strong sustain

CONS

  • Tuning pegs may need upgrading for stability

  • Weight can be uncomfortable for long playing sessions

  • Sound quality perceived as average by some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD Viper-50.

Comparisons

  • Some owners find the Viper-50 heavier than a Les Paul, seeking lighter alternatives like an SG.

    Source

User experience

  • The guitar is noted for being neck heavy, which can affect playability for some players.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the aesthetics of the Viper-50 as one of the most attractive options in its price range.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The Viper-50 often requires soldering maintenance, particularly for the jack port, due to loose or broken connections.

    Source
  • A noticeable gap under the 24th fret between the neck and body can exist, though it may not affect playability.

    Source
  • Professional setup by a luthier is often recommended, typically costing around $25, to ensure optimal playability.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend replacing the stock jack with a Switchcraft mono output jack for durability and improved performance.

    Source
  • Using shielded single-core wire for rewiring is suggested to reduce noise interference from RF and improve overall sound quality.

    Source

Build quality

  • The guitar may have missing or loose hardware elements, such as knobs and their nuts and washers, which can result in internal components floating and requiring attention.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
vladyslave

I like this guitar, but there is one thing ...

When it happens that at a concert you make a bend to a tone, the result is that it is upset. Solved by replacing the tuning pegs with better ones, then as a gear ratio here 14:1. And so, I play every day and played more than one concert with her

grant_dati

Great guitar for heavy stuff!

This is the guitar I probably use the least because I use it for stuff that requires more riffy rhythm playing rather then chord based, or if we are playing a really heavy song. Other than that it's pretty good. Slightly uncomfortable and hurts your back after a while because of it's weight.

max_mars

LTD Viper 50 (White)

I knew nothing of this guitar when I placed my Ebay bid. I got it for about $50 and it was located in the city where I lived, so, I was able to just pick it up. I am not a professional guitar player, but this guitar is so easy to play, that I play almost every day. It is a bit on the heavy side, which gives it good sustain. I like it!

kiombeauprez

Good sound

Gives a good sound for the money! It has many sounds.

talenthd

Just a average guitar...

This guitar is honestly just average. Gives me a cheap SG sound to it, and that is about all I have to say about it.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ben Moody uses ESP LTD Viper-50

Ben Moody

Guitarist

Evanescence

...
Verified via Photo

Live at the Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA - Mars 26, 2010. We Are The Fallen concert.

See how Lindsay McDougall uses ESP LTD Viper-50

Lindsay McDougall

Singer, Guitarist

Frenzal Rhomb

...
Verified
Color/Finish: Black Year: 2003

Lindsay used this guitar live from about 2003 till 2005. He gave it away which he states on the Frenzal Rhomb website. This guitar was used along with the Max Cavalera ESP on Sans Souci.

See how Ton Cikoski Radaell uses ESP LTD Viper-50

Ton Cikoski Radaell

Singer, Guitarist

AURI

...
Verified via Photo

Ton Cikoski Radaell uses a modified ESP LTD Viper-50, as shown on Instagram, where he mentions using it for performances and recordings with his band.

See how J Diabolus Nemesis uses ESP LTD Viper-50

J Diabolus Nemesis

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

This was J's main guitar since J Solo Projects foundation. He had this guitar prior to forming J Solo Project and the paintwork on this guitar shown was to commemorate the 2012 album release "The Re-Invention". Prior to that albums release, the guitar went through numerous paint schemes such as the "blue alien" paint work and the "urban white camo" paintwork. The guitar is a 2006 ESP/LTD Viper 50 which was built in Indonesia before the material change and before they briefly changed the manufacturing location of the 50 series guitars briefly to china. This guitar also appeared on other recording sessions after the "re-Invention" album cycle and appeared on a couple of live performances.

See how Brian Ortiz uses ESP LTD Viper-50

Brian Ortiz

Guitarist

...
Verified via Killer Guitar Rigs

"The first guitar I bought with my own money was an LTD Viper 50. I bought that with my own money, I got it for like $150 to $200 something like that. It was the first guitar I ever bought I was like, fuck, I was 20 years old maybe."

Ortiz mentions using the Viper 50 until about 2017, meaning it was used to record the first three Xibalba records, Madre Mia Gracias Por Los Dias, Hasta La Muerte and Tierra Y Libertad.

Album Usage

The ESP LTD Viper-50 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.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use ESP LTD Viper-50, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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devotio

devotio

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