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Average Price: $275

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

The ESP LTD MH-103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar is a stunning blend of style and substance crafted for the modern rock and metal enthusiast. Its sleek basswood body, adorned with a mesmerizing quilted maple top, offers both aesthetic appeal and resonant tone. The Floyd Rose Special vibrato bridge provides the freedom for expressive, dynamic performances, while the ESP LH-150 humbucker and LS-120 single-coil pickups ensure a versatile sonic palette.

Designed with a 3-piece maple neck and a thin U-shaped profile, this guitar promises effortless playability and speed across its 24 extra-jumbo frets. Whether you're exploring intricate solos or heavy riffs, the maple fingerboard provides a smooth, responsive touch. A locking nut and black nickel hardware ensure that your tuning remains stable, even during the most intense sessions.

Perfect for those seeking an instrument that marries functionality with flair, the ESP LTD MH-103QM stands as a testament to ESP's commitment to quality and innovation. Its versatility is matched only by its striking appearance, making it a valuable addition to any guitarist’s arsenal.

Key Features:

  • Bolt-on 3-piece maple neck with thin U-shaped contour
  • Basswood body with quilted maple top
  • Maple fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo frets
  • Floyd Rose Special vibrato bridge
  • ESP LH-150 humbucker and LS-120 single-coils
  • Black nickel hardware
  • ESP tuners

Product specs

Brand ESP LTD
Model MH-103 QM
Finish See Thru Blue
Year 2008 - 2018
Made In Indonesia
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Locking Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Blue
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Maple
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Quilted

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the ESP LTD MH-103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar?

The ESP LTD MH-103 features a thin U neck contour, offering a slim and fast-playing profile that is comfortable for both rhythm and lead playing.

What kind of tones can I expect from the HSS pickup configuration on the ESP LTD MH-103?

The HSS configuration provides a versatile range of tones, with the humbucker delivering powerful, high-output sounds ideal for rock and metal, while the single-coil pickups offer bright, clear tones suitable for blues and clean styles.

Is the ESP LTD MH-103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar suitable for beginners?

Yes, the ESP LTD MH-103 is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile, versatile pickup configuration, and affordable price point, making it a great choice for those starting out.

Does the ESP LTD MH-103 come with a tremolo system?

Yes, the ESP LTD MH-103 features a Floyd Rose Special locking tremolo bridge, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and stable tuning during performance.

What is the scale length of the ESP LTD MH-103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar?

The ESP LTD MH-103 has a 25.5-inch scale length, providing a balanced feel and tension suitable for a wide range of playing styles and tunings.

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

ESP LTD MH 103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar Demo

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD MH 103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar Demo by Guitar Center

ESP LTD MH 103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar Demo

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD MH103QM Electric Guitar by 스쿨뮤직 TV

ESP LTD MH103QM Electric Guitar

스쿨뮤직 TV

스쿨뮤직 TV

Video thumbnail for LTD MH - 103 QM (Demo) by EBN

LTD MH - 103 QM (Demo)

EBN

EBN

Video thumbnail for LTD MH 103 QM sound test by S-Muzik

LTD MH 103 QM sound test

S-Muzik

S-Muzik

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD MH-103 QM sound check demo by The guitarlyrics Official

ESP LTD MH-103 QM sound check demo

The guitarlyrics Official

The guitarlyrics Official

Video thumbnail for LTD MH103QM Electric Guitar by ESP by Flowforth Instruments

LTD MH103QM Electric Guitar by ESP

Flowforth Instruments

Flowforth Instruments

Reviews

PROS

  • Eye-catching quilted maple top with vibrant color

  • Fast, satin-smooth neck enhances playability

  • Floyd Rose tremolo maintains tuning stability

  • Stock pickups offer a versatile range of tones

  • Excellent value for the price, outperforms its price class

  • Lightweight with perfect balance for prolonged playing

  • Active pickups provide hum-free S-style tones

  • Sturdy construction, built to last

  • Offers numerous tonal options with coil tap feature

CONS

  • Bland neck inlays for an otherwise striking guitar

  • Floyd Rose system can be finicky for some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about LTD MH-103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar.

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners report the frets can be sharp enough to cause cuts, requiring sanding for smoothness.

    Source
  • Some guitars have a slightly dead fret on one string, which may require fret dressing for optimal playability.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Floyd Rose system is noted to stay in tune well, even after setup changes.

    Source
  • The LTD MH-103QM includes stainless steel frets, which are praised for durability and ease of playability, lasting significantly longer than regular frets.

    Source
  • The guitar features Fishman Fluence pickups, offering a voicing switch for varied tones suitable for metal, while some users find them less versatile for rock or blues.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners are impressed with the stock pickups, finding no immediate need for replacements due to their quality.

    Source
  • Owners note the LTD's neck-through construction improves sustain and offers better high fret access than bolt-on necks.

    Source
  • The gloss neck finish on the LTD can feel sticky to some players, though sanding with a high-grit pad can alleviate this issue.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A used MH-103QM can be found for as low as $175, considered a great deal given its performance and aesthetics.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to a Charvel, the LTD is noted for its heavier weight and more ornate finish, appealing visually to those who prefer flashier aesthetics.

    Source
  • The LTD's active pickups provide a tighter, more focused sound for high-gain applications, whereas the Charvel's passive pickups offer greater versatility for diverse genres.

    Source

Critic Reviews

ESP LTD MH-103QM review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The ESP LTD MH-103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar is a budget-friendly option that delivers a surprisingly robust performance. While it doesn't bring new innovations to the table, it offers impressive features for its price, such as ESP-branded pickups, a double locking Floyd Rose-style vibrato, and a quilted maple top. The guitar's design may be derivative, and some players might miss a neck humbucker, but its versatility and quality build, including a slick two-octave fretboard, make it stand out. Ideal for guitarists seeking a reliable instrument without breaking the bank.

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Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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timmallon
chrishayden0748

Perfect beginner schredder

Has a really nice fast feeling neck. Floyd rose is a little touchy. Tone and volume are great. Has the perfect ESP LTD look feel and sound

timmallon

100% agree, the neck the pickups every thing is great about this guitar!

Artist usage

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See how Louis Chadwick uses LTD MH-103 Quilted Maple Electric Guitar

Louis Chadwick

Guitarist

Steel Mage

...
Verified via YouTube

his second LTD used for drop D

Genre Usage

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

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