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Average Price: $900

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Unleash your inner rock star with the ESP LTD EX 400, a guitar that marries classic design with modern performance. Crafted to deliver powerful sound and impeccable playability, this solid body electric guitar is perfect for those who demand both style and substance. Its mahogany body provides a rich, resonant tone that pairs perfectly with the sharp, articulate output of the EMG-81 and EMG-60 active pickups. Whether you're shredding solos or laying down rhythm, expect nothing less than a full-bodied sonic experience.

The guitar's set neck construction offers enhanced sustain and smooth access across the fretboard, making it a dream to play for both leads and chords. With a traditional 24-3/4" scale length and 22 extra-jumbo frets, you'll enjoy a comfortable grip and effortless navigation. The rosewood fretboard adds warmth to the guitar's tone, while the Earvana compensated nut ensures accurate intonation across the neck. For those who are serious about staying in tune, the Grover tuners and tune-o-matic-style bridge with stop tailpiece provide reliable stability, keeping your performance pitch-perfect.

Perfect for metalheads and hard rock enthusiasts, the ESP LTD EX 400 is more than just a guitar; it's an extension of your musical expression.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body for rich, resonant tone
  • EMG-81 (bridge) and EMG-60 (neck) active pickups
  • Set neck construction for enhanced sustain
  • Rosewood fretboard with 22 extra-jumbo frets
  • 24-3/4" scale length
  • Earvana compensated nut for accurate intonation
  • Grover tuners for reliable tuning stability
  • Tune-o-matic-style bridge with stop tailpiece

Product specs

Brand ESP LTD
Model EX-400
Finish Black, Olympic White
Year 2004 - 2008
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape X-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, White
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"

FAQs

What kind of music is the ESP LTD EX-400 best suited for?

The ESP LTD EX-400, equipped with EMG-81 and EMG-60 active pickups, is ideal for heavy genres like metal and hard rock, offering high output and clarity for aggressive playing styles.

How does the neck profile of the ESP LTD EX-400 affect playability?

The set-neck construction with a 3-piece maple neck provides comfortable access to higher frets and stability, making it suitable for fast playing and solos.

Are the pickups on the ESP LTD EX-400 suitable for clean tones?

While the EMG-81 and EMG-60 pickups are known for their high gain, they also deliver clear and articulate clean tones, especially when using the neck pickup.

What is the scale length of the ESP LTD EX-400, and how does it impact playing?

The 24.75" scale length offers a slightly shorter string tension, which can make bending strings easier and provide a warmer tone compared to longer scales.

Does the ESP LTD EX-400 come with a case or gig bag?

The ESP LTD EX-400 typically does not include a case or gig bag, so it is advisable to purchase one separately for protection during transport.

The Metal Foundry

The Metal Foundry

ESP vs LTD Guitars: Does the price really matter?

Video thumbnail for ESP vs LTD Guitars: Does the price really matter? by The Metal Foundry

ESP vs LTD Guitars: Does the price really matter?

The Metal Foundry

The Metal Foundry

Video thumbnail for LTD EX400 by Cryptic Mask Guitar

LTD EX400

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD EX 400 BLACK EXPLORER EMG NECK-THRU KOREAN GUITAR UP CLOSE REVIEW VIDEO by Essex Recording Studios

ESP LTD EX 400 BLACK EXPLORER EMG NECK-THRU KOREAN GUITAR UP CLOSE REVIEW VIDEO

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Video thumbnail for ltd ex 400 review by DeadmeatDarkdaylight

ltd ex 400 review

DeadmeatDarkdaylight

DeadmeatDarkdaylight

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about LTD EX 400.

Features and functionality

  • The Snakebyte's JH pickups are passive and retain bridge pickup brightness while maintaining neck pickup low frequencies.

    Source
  • The EX 400’s EMG 81/60 setup provides hotter output compared to the Snakebyte’s passive JH pickups.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The JH pickups in the Snakebyte are akin to EMG 81s but offer a tonal range similar to bright Seymour Duncan humbuckers.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • For late '80s and early '90s Metallica tones, the EX 400's EMG setup might be more suitable due to its hotter pickups.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note that the Snakebyte’s glossy black finish adds aesthetic appeal, especially with the original case.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
skylinerr

good shape

I always feel comfortable with a explorer mine is all stock except for sperzel locking tuners and a gibson dirty fingers in the bridge and a burstbucker 3 in the neck (which i tend to use more) in the stead of the stock actives whixh I like I am an emg lover but our lead guitar player and bass player are both passive guys so I followed suit.

Genres:
martin_boesvang

If you like downpicking this is the guitar for you

Man this guitar awesome if you like the oldschool metallica like i do. It can be setup to play extremely fast and it just feels like you can downpick faster than anything

Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Gallagher uses LTD EX 400

John Gallagher

Singer, Guitarist

Dying Fetus

...
Verified via Flickr

John Gallagher playing with Dying Fetus at Jaxx in Springfield, Virginia on Saturday 12 February 2011. This wasn't part of a tour but a one-off local show that I'd guess was to warm up for their upcoming European tour and he use LTD EX-400 with Emg Pickups.

See how Akira Yamaoka uses LTD EX 400

Akira Yamaoka

Guitarist, Composer

Konami Kukeiha Club

...
Verified via Photo

Akira can be seen here showing off one of his guitars. This one is an EX 400 by ESP.

J

Jesper Strömblad

Guitarist

In Flames

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: White

Jesper Strömblad is confirmed to use the LTD EX 400 guitar, as evidenced by its appearance in multiple photos and music videos featuring him. it can be seen in live performances, such as their concert in Montreal during 1999, which is recorded and uploaded on youtube.

See how Patrik Jensen uses LTD EX 400

Patrik Jensen

Guitarist

THE HAUNTED

...
Verified via Photo

he is using this guitar in the image

See how Kragen Lum uses LTD EX 400

Kragen Lum

Guitarist

Exodus

...
Verified via YouTube

the guitar is present in this video

See how Cunt uses LTD EX 400

Cunt

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via Convincingclearity

The guitar can be seen in many of the pictures here @ https://www.convincingclearity.com/photo

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 LTD EX 400, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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scotyboy1323

scotyboy1323

Gear IQ 87

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