Pricing and availability

Average Price: $180

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The ESP LTD F-50 is an excellent entry point for those looking to dive into the world of solid body electric guitars. Designed with both beginners and intermediate players in mind, this guitar combines quality craftsmanship with an appealing price point. Its aggressive body design not only looks striking but also enhances playability, allowing for smooth access to higher frets which is perfect for soloing.

Equipped with a pair of ESP-designed LH-150 humbuckers, the F-50 delivers a versatile range of tones suitable for various genres from rock to metal. The bolt-on maple neck and rosewood fingerboard provide a comfortable playing experience, while the basswood body ensures a well-balanced sound with excellent sustain. The ESP LTD F-50's bridge setup and tuners ensure it stays in tune, even during intense practice or performance sessions.

Whether you're jamming at home, rehearsing with a band, or taking your first steps onto the stage, the ESP LTD F-50 is a reliable companion that won't break the bank. Its combination of style, sound, and playability makes it a standout choice for any aspiring guitarist.

Key Features:

  • Bold and aggressive body design for enhanced playability
  • ESP-designed LH-150 humbuckers for versatile tonality
  • Bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard
  • Basswood body for balanced sound and sustain
  • Durable bridge and tuners for stable tuning

Product specs

Brand ESP LTD
Model F-50
Finish Black, Black Cherry, Titanium
Year 2003 - 2016
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black, Red, Silver
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Construction Bolt-On
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"

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the ESP LTD F-50 suitable for?

The ESP LTD F-50, with its dual humbucker pickup configuration, is well-suited for rock and metal genres, offering powerful and aggressive tones ideal for high-gain settings.

Does the ESP LTD F-50 have a comfortable neck profile for fast playing?

Yes, the ESP LTD F-50 features a thin U-shaped neck profile, making it comfortable for fast playing and suitable for shredding.

Is the ESP LTD F-50 a good choice for beginners?

The ESP LTD F-50 is a solid choice for beginners due to its affordable price point, ease of playability, and versatile sound, which can accommodate a range of playing styles.

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

The ESP LTD F-50 has a 24.75" scale length, which offers a slightly shorter reach and softer string tension, making it easier to play for those with smaller hands or those who prefer a more relaxed feel.

How does the bolt-on neck construction of the ESP LTD F-50 affect its sound?

The bolt-on neck construction of the ESP LTD F-50 provides a snappy attack and bright tone, contributing to the guitar's overall clarity and articulation.

theperfectguitar

theperfectguitar

ESP LTD Standard Series F-50 Guitar Demo - The Perfect Guitar

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Standard Series F-50 Guitar Demo - The Perfect Guitar by theperfectguitar

ESP LTD Standard Series F-50 Guitar Demo - The Perfect Guitar

theperfectguitar

theperfectguitar

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD F-50 BCH - Demo Guitar by Artyom Reborn

ESP LTD F-50 BCH - Demo Guitar

Artyom Reborn

Artyom Reborn

Video thumbnail for LTD by ESP F-50 (review and demo) by PopMusicRu

LTD by ESP F-50 (review and demo)

PopMusicRu

PopMusicRu

Video thumbnail for Great ESP LTD F-50 Guitar Review by Joe Hart

Great ESP LTD F-50 Guitar Review

Joe Hart

Joe Hart

Video thumbnail for LTD F-50 Electric Guitar Demo by Progressive Guitar Studio

LTD F-50 Electric Guitar Demo

Progressive Guitar Studio

Progressive Guitar Studio

Video thumbnail for ESP Ltd F-50 - a great budget metal guitar by Gary Shaw

ESP Ltd F-50 - a great budget metal guitar

Gary Shaw

Gary Shaw

Video thumbnail for Review & Demo: ESP LTD F-50 electric guitar!! Candy Apple goodness!! by Beers N Gears

Review & Demo: ESP LTD F-50 electric guitar!! Candy Apple goodness!!

Beers N Gears

Beers N Gears

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional sustain enhances overall sound quality

  • Humbuckers deliver impressive crunch for heavier music styles

  • Smooth, fast-playing neck suits a variety of playing styles

  • Beautiful finish adds aesthetic appeal

  • Strong build quality withstands years of heavy use

  • Comfortable to play, even during long sessions

  • Stock pickups provide surprisingly good sound

  • Detailed craftsmanship evident in construction

  • Stock electronics are reliable and effective

CONS

  • Spiky high-mids and treble when playing clean through both pickups

  • May not be the best option within its price range

Owner Insights

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

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners have upgraded the stock pickups to Dimarzio Liquifier and Crunch Lab, significantly enhancing the guitar's sound quality.

    Source

User experience

  • The unique body shape can feel awkward, particularly under the arm and when reaching higher frets, affecting playability for some users.

    Source

Build quality

  • Korean-made models from 2000 to 2005 are praised for their tone and build quality, whereas Chinese variants are criticized for poor pickups, warped necks, and bad fretwork.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Despite its metal-oriented look, the guitar can deliver clean and clear tones for blues or jazz, especially when paired with a wah and fuzz pedal setup.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Multiple users reported acquiring the guitar at significantly low prices, with one owner purchasing an F-50 for just $65, highlighting its affordability in the second-hand market.

    Source

Critic Reviews

LTD F-50 Review: I have a feeling if I ever played a live gig... | ESP | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The ESP LTD F-50 is a budget-friendly guitar with a striking appearance that appeals to metal enthusiasts, but it leaves much to be desired in terms of quality and performance. While its low tones are praised for chugging breakdowns, the pickups fall flat, and the overall tone is mediocre. Reliability is another concern, with issues like weak finishes, fret buzz, and hardware problems. It's not gig-ready, best serving as a backup's backup. Despite its aesthetic appeal, the F-50 is let down by poor quality control, making it a less-than-ideal choice for serious players.

negative

ESP LTD F-50 Review (2023)ESP LTD F-50 Review (2023)

awkwardsound.com

The ESP LTD F-50 is a beginner's dream with its stylish design and powerful sound, making it a strong contender in the budget guitar market. Its lightweight basswood body offers comfort, while the solid mahogany neck ensures durability. The guitar's pair of humbuckers delivers versatile tones, ideal for hard rock and metal. However, it suffers from tuning stability issues, requiring frequent adjustments. Despite this, its affordable price and overall performance make it a recommended choice for aspiring musicians.

positive
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 16 Ratings

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nick_desimone

bang for the buck

For the money, this is hard to beat. This was one of the first guitars I ever had, and the first I ever bought with my own money. I contend that ESP maintains some pretty strong build quality on their lowest-end models, and this thing has held up to over a decade of abuse both on and offstage. I still keep it around and play it on the couch once in a while...it had so many songs in it then and still occasionally gets me inspired.

jimi_barracuda_lazer

Excelent mod platform ,bang for the buck

This guitar is really comfortable and as well the stock pickups sound good it can really get along with other pickups I got seymour duncans on her , as well the first thing you'll notice if you open is that this guitars are always crafted with lots of detail and the stock electronics I might say are really good ,

apalmalarrain

I'm definitely keeping this one.

It may or may not be the best choice in its price range, but it has proven to be an excellent choice for me. Bought it second hand in black finish back when I'd never turn the distortion off; my only issue with this guitar is the rather spiky high-mids and treble it has when playing clean through both stock pickups at once, but with a bit of EQ it's awesome.

P

Nice !

I put 2 EMG 81 / 85 and it sounds better ;)

Artist usage

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See how Big Boss uses LTD F-50

Big Boss

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Big Boss has been using the ESP LTD F-50 since the age of 12, as confirmed by an Instagram post from user hcharlonne, which features a 12-year-old guitarist with the ESP LTD F-50.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Community setups

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akidcalledoutlaw

Gear IQ 1662

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