Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $2,264
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your inner metalhead with the ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar, a signature model designed in collaboration with Metallica's own James Hetfield. This powerhouse of a guitar is crafted for high-octane performance, boasting an audacious shape and a commanding presence. The all-mahogany body and neck deliver a warm, full-bodied resonance, perfect for heavy, sustained riffs. The ebony fretboard, adorned with an intricate Snakebyte inlay, not only provides a sleek aesthetic but also offers effortless playability across its 22 extra-jumbo frets.
The Snakebyte is equipped with the ferocious EMG JH "Het Set" active pickups, engineered to capture the essence of Hetfield's iconic tone. These pickups provide a dynamic range and punch that Metallica fans will instantly recognize. The guitar's set-neck construction at a 24.75" scale enhances sustain and stability, making it a reliable companion for gigs and studio sessions alike.
With premium features such as ESP locking tuners and a TonePros locking Tune-O-Matic bridge and tailpiece, this guitar ensures rock-solid tuning and intonation, allowing you to thrash away without a second thought. Whether you're riffing through your favorite Metallica tracks or exploring new sonic territories, the ESP Snakebyte is ready to take your playing to the next level.
Key Features:
- Signature model designed by James Hetfield
- All-mahogany body and neck for rich, warm tones
- Ebony fretboard with custom Snakebyte inlay
- EMG JH "Het Set" active humbuckers for powerful sound
- TonePros locking Tune-O-Matic bridge and tailpiece
- ESP locking tuners for stable tuning
- Includes hardshell case
Product specs
| Available since | June 2019 |
| Shape | X-Style |
| Colour | White |
| Soundboard | Mahogany |
| Top | None |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony |
| Frets | 22 |
| Scale | 629 mm |
| Pickups | HH |
| Active Pickups | Yes |
| Tremolo | None |
| Incl. Case | Yes |
| Incl. Bag | No |
| Artist | James Hetfield |
| Style | X-Style |
| Body | Mahogany |
FAQs
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What kind of music is the ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar best suited for?
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The ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar, designed with James Hetfield, is ideal for metal and hard rock genres due to its aggressive tone and powerful active pickups.
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Does the ESP Snakebyte come with a case?
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Yes, the ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar includes a hard case, providing protection and easy transport for your instrument.
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What is the neck profile of the ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar?
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The ESP Snakebyte features a thin U-shaped neck, which offers comfortable playability for fast riffs and solos, making it suitable for players who prefer a sleek and speedy neck profile.
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Are the pickups on the ESP Snakebyte active or passive?
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The ESP Snakebyte is equipped with active pickups, which deliver high output and clarity, ideal for heavy music styles.
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What is the scale length of the ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar?
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The ESP Snakebyte has a scale length of 24.75 inches (629 mm), which contributes to its warm tone and smooth playability.
Videos
Musician's Friend
ESP Hetfield Snakebyte Electric Guitar, Black Satin
ESP Hetfield Snakebyte Electric Guitar, Black Satin
Musician's Friend
ESP Custom Shop James Hetfield Snakebyte - Demo w/ Mesa Boogie Mark V
Tim Gauci
Video Review - ESP Guitars James Hetfield Snakebyte Guitar
Premier Guitar
Reviews
PROS
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Thin, fast neck with smooth fretboard for excellent playability.
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EMG JH pickups deliver a powerful, clear, and dynamic metal tone.
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Lightweight body, comfortable for both sitting and standing.
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Unique design with a striking snake inlay on the neck.
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Well-balanced, no neck dive typical of explorer-style guitars.
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High-quality craftsmanship with attention to detail.
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Suitable for Metallica fans seeking authentic Hetfield sound.
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Versatile tone, clean or distorted, suitable for various rock genres.
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Includes a durable hard shell case.
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Robust construction with a beautiful gloss finish.
CONS
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Some units have minor cosmetic flaws or loose components.
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Default strap position may require a longer strap for comfortable play.
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Occasional inconsistencies due to manufacturing location switch to Indonesia.
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Requires setup out of the box for optimal playability.
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Limited versatility outside metal and rock genres.
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar.
Build quality
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The satin finish on the black Snakebyte can wear off over time with use, even with regular cleaning.
Source -
The Snakebyte's hardware includes a Tonepros bridge and tailpiece, praised for their robustness and contribution to tuning stability.
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The ESP LTD Snakebyte's case is notably large and heavy, challenging to fit in smaller car trunks or back seats, impacting transportability.
Source
Features and functionality
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The "Het Set" active pickups are noted for delivering a raw, heavy sound ideal for achieving James Hetfield's tone.
Source -
The Snakebyte features extra jumbo frets, which some users find essential for achieving smooth playability and ease of bending notes.
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The guitar comes with dual volume controls and lacks a tone control, offering a straightforward setup focused on volume adjustments.
Source
User experience
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The high frets are accessible despite the guitar's large body size; the neck feels compact and easy to play.
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Owners find the guitar significantly heavy, particularly when transporting it in its case.
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Some users find the guitar comfortable to play while sitting, despite its aggressive body shape, due to its ergonomic design.
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Some find the guitar less comfortable for seated play due to its shape, contrary to its ergonomic reputation for standing use.
Source
Comparisons
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The Snakebyte, while heavier and less versatile, offers a more powerful tone compared to lighter guitars like the Ibanez JS Series.
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Owners found the Snakebyte's Explorer style more aesthetically pleasing than the Gibson Explorer, with similar performance.
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The LTD Snakebyte's quality is comparable to a PRS S2 Custom 24, despite the different design and focus on heavy riffing.
Source
Use cases and applications
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings
5339
I love this thing
Ok i've wanted a real esp snakebyte not ltd for ages so i got one selling a few axes and amps: 1971 Fender Stratocaster, White 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard, Seymour Duncan Alinco II Pro loaded Marshall JCM800 And I had enough and a bit more and got one and I love it as a JH style rhythm player and explorer lover it suits me extremely well.
Artist usage
Add artist
James and Kirk did the national anthem at a San Francisco Giants game and used this custom SF Giants Guitar.
The guitar can be seen on this video.
The music video for Chemical Whore shows Peter playing a Satin Black ESP Snakebyte. This is definitely along the lines of what we expect from Peter as he has used many ESP LTD explorer type guitars over the years. I believe the guitar still has the EMG James Hetfield Signature pickups in it.
Cody Quistad, guitarist for Wage War, has been confirmed to use the ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar. This was officially announced by ESP Guitars on their Facebook page, where Cody expressed his enthusiasm about joining the ESP family, stating, "From the moment I picked up a Snakebyte, it felt right at home in my hands. These guitars are work horses, and I look forward to taking them around the world." This statement not only confirms his use of the guitar but also his endorsement by ESP Guitars.
Album Usage
The ESP Snakebyte Electric Guitar 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.
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