Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $566
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "LTD KH-202". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The ESP LTD KH-202 is a testament to the fusion of iconic design and modern playability, crafted for guitarists who crave the commanding presence of a signature model without breaking the bank. Designed with the spirit of Kirk Hammett in mind, this electric guitar boasts a robust Basswood body that contributes to its lightweight feel and resonant tone, making it a perfect companion for heavy riffs and intricate solos.
With its sleek double-cutaway design, the KH-202 provides easy access to all 24 extra-jumbo frets on the fast-playing maple neck, adorned with unique skull and crossbone inlays that make a bold visual statement. The rosewood fingerboard feels smooth under your fingers, supporting expressive play across genres, though it's particularly suited for metal and rock.
This guitar is equipped with powerful ESP-designed LH-301 humbuckers, delivering a high-output sound that's both punchy and articulate, capable of handling everything from searing leads to crunchy rhythms. The inclusion of a Floyd Rose Special bridge ensures your tuning remains stable even during the most aggressive dive-bombs and string bends.
Whether you're a seasoned shredder or an aspiring rock star, the ESP LTD KH-202 offers an exciting blend of style, performance, and affordability. It's not just an instrument—it's your ticket to the stage.
Key Features:
- Basswood body for lightweight feel and resonant tone
- 24 extra-jumbo frets with skull and crossbone inlays
- Maple neck with a sleek rosewood fingerboard
- ESP-designed LH-301 humbuckers for high-output sound
- Floyd Rose Special bridge for stable tuning during intense play
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Kirk Hammett |
| Body Material | Basswood |
| Body Finish | Gloss |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Shape | Extra Thin U |
| Neck Joint | Bolt-on |
| Radius | 13.77" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Skull and Crossbones |
| Number of Frets | 24, Extra Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.653" |
| Nut Material | Locking |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Floyd Rose Special Tremolo |
| Tuners | LTD Locking |
| Neck Pickup | ESP LH-301N Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | ESP LH-301B Humbucker |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 1 x master tone |
| Switching | 3-way blade pickup switch |
| Strings | D'Addario, .009-.042 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What type of music is the ESP LTD KH-202 best suited for?
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The ESP LTD KH-202 is designed for heavy metal and rock genres, thanks to its Kirk Hammett signature design, powerful humbuckers, and Floyd Rose tremolo system, which offer aggressive tones and versatile playability.
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How does the Floyd Rose Special Tremolo on the KH-202 enhance playability?
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The Floyd Rose Special Tremolo allows for deep dive-bombs and stable tuning, making it ideal for expressive playing styles and techniques commonly used in metal and rock music.
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What is the neck profile like on the ESP LTD KH-202?
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The KH-202 features an Extra Thin U-shaped neck, providing fast and comfortable playability, which is particularly beneficial for shredding and intricate solos.
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Are the pickups on the ESP LTD KH-202 suitable for high-gain settings?
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Yes, the ESP LH-301 humbuckers in the KH-202 are designed to handle high-gain settings, delivering clear, powerful tones that cut through mixes, perfect for metal and hard rock.
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Is the ESP LTD KH-202 suitable for beginners?
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While the KH-202 is accessible for beginners, its features, such as the Floyd Rose tremolo and fast neck, are particularly appealing to intermediate and advanced players looking to explore metal and rock techniques.
Videos
session
ESP LTD KH-202
ESP LTD KH-202
session
ESP LTD KH-202
session
ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature KH-202 Guitar Review
Sweetwater
ESP LTD KH-202 Kirk Hammett Signature plays Metallica Selections through HX Stomp
121212 Guitars
UNBOXING!! ESP LTD KH-202
PURR STORE INDONESIA
ESP LTD KH-202 Review
Raf's Gear Reviews
Korea Vs China | LTD Kirk Hammett KH 202 Guitar Shootout
Dewey Hall
ESP LTD KH-202 Kirk Hammett Signature | Perfect Shredder Guitar |
Uhlik Music
DEMO/REVIEW ESP LTD KH-202 BLK Kirk Hammett
Rocktonight
Reviews
PROS
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Premium feel for a budget guitar
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Aggressive, heavy sound with smooth clean tones
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Well-balanced and gig-worthy design
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Distinct Kirk Hammett-inspired aesthetics
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Holds tuning well with Floyd Rose system
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Playable neck, comfortable for solos and bends
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High distortion handling, useful volume knobs for each pickup
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Excellent value for metal and rock enthusiasts
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Durable build quality with quality wood for the price
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Versatile for beginners and upgrade potential for advanced players
CONS
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Factory setup issues, such as high action and intonation problems
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Floyd Rose bridge can be challenging for beginners
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Some hardware discrepancies, like non-black hardware
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Minor quality control issues, such as scratches and detuned delivery
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Stock pickups may lack clarity and power for some users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about LTD KH-202.
Setup and maintenance
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The Floyd Rose Special bridge on the KH-202 is made from soft metal, leading to quick wear and string gouging, necessitating an upgrade to a Floyd Rose 1000 or Original for durability.
Source
Value and pricing
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Despite being a good guitar, the KH-202 is considered expensive for its features, with users suggesting exploring the used market for better deals or saving for higher-end models like the KH-602.
Source -
It's possible to find LTD 1001 series guitars used for $600-700, which are considered better options compared to the KH-602 in terms of cost and quality.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Owners recommend replacing the stock Floyd Rose Special with a Floyd Rose Original to improve tuning stability and string retention, especially for aggressive playing styles.
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Owners have upgraded pickups but kept stock ones for future projects, indicating their decent quality.
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Users suggest replacing EMG HZ H4 pickups on similar models due to their limited versatility, recommending exploring alternatives for improved tone beyond heavy metal.
Source
User experience
Use cases and applications
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Beginners are advised against starting with a KH-202 due to the complexity of managing a Floyd Rose bridge, which can be frustrating for novice players.
Source
Features and functionality
Comparisons
4.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 13 Ratings
1201
Turn on your shredding soul.
Since a few years I've been attracted to more aggressive range guitars (not for their aesthetics but for their components) and this LTD KH202 is simply one that you should give yourself a chance to try. It's similar to the feeling of playing an RG type guitar, however the sound is different (probably because of the type of humbuckers: EMG HZ vs POWERSOUND). I like to keep playing with more than one guitar for a while because I feel that each one reflects me in a different way. About this LTD KH202 must say I still can't feel complete. However, it has a very interesting sound. On a Clean Channel it maintains a balanced sound, but the reason I keep it is because when I move to Dirty Channels (Crunch / OverDrive), something seems to light up on this guitar and that's good. I don't know if it was designed to happen this way, but who cares. So I like it.
Simple, elegant, cheap, and a surprising performer
Walked into a guitar center and picked this up out of curiosity, and i left with it! I feel like i have a rare specimen that got through quality control. This thing should not be priced so low!!
In a nutshell, this is an excellent guitar for a starting guitarist to grow into. It is very adequate to begin with, but a few upgrades unlock the SERIOUS potential this guitar has.
Looks - Black. simple, elegant, mean. Apart from the nifty skull inlays there is nothing flashy about this guitar, but that is perfectly fine. This is not a guitar you buy for beauty, this is a performer!
Build - SOLID.
You have to realize that you are buying a $300 guitar. Expect the electronics and hardware to be trash compared to the real deal. That you can change, and what is important is the WOOD. The wood quality is ASTOUNDING for this price, and the sturdiness of this guitar suits a much higher price tag. The neck on this guitar is one of the most comfortable I've played, REGARDLESS OF PRICE.
Sound - As it comes, this things sounds pretty good. A Beginner pickup this guitar can rock it as is for years and have an amazing starter Ax.
But as you become more skilled and more demanding, you can unlock this guitar's potential. The secret is in the hardware. The Floyd Rose Special is actually very decent, but electronics lack clarity and power of a quality set. I replaced the bridge with a Gotoh Floyd Rose, and put in a set of authentic Bill & Becky Bill Lawrence L500XL's and coil tapped them both using push/pull pots and the 3 way switch. Harder metal on the gutiar bridge means a sharper tone. It will bring out the best of the basswood body and you will have a harmonically TRANSPARENT guitar, meaning you can change it's tone drastically with electronics, amp settings, distortion settings etc.. Throw in Dimarzio Liquifier/crunchlab, Duncan JB/Jazz; Bill Lawrence pickups, hell.. a set of Bluesbuckers... whatever you want. The basswood is neutral and will handle it well.
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