The Best Esps for the Money

The ESP range spans from budget-friendly LTD guitars to Japan-made instruments used by touring professionals. At each price level, certain models stand out for what they actually deliver. These are the specific instruments worth considering, and why.

Best Budget: LTD EC-256

The EC-256 is the most accessible ESP-style single-cutaway that is still worth owning. At under £400, it offers a mahogany body, set neck, and a basic but usable electronics package. It is not as refined as the 1000 series — the fretwork and hardware show the budget — but for a player drawn to the Eclipse shape who is not ready to spend more, it is a credible entry point. The LTD 200 series instruments are generally the lowest rung worth buying; below that, quality drops substantially.

Best Mid-Range: LTD EC-401

The EC-401 is where the LTD range starts to feel genuinely professional. Active EMG pickups (81 at the bridge, 60 at the neck), a well-finished maple cap over a mahogany body, and a set neck combine to produce an instrument that handles heavy music properly. Build quality is consistent, setup from the factory is generally reliable, and the LTD version of the Eclipse shape at this level is hard to beat for the money. One of the best-value metal guitars available.

Best Upper Mid-Range: LTD EC-1000

The EC-1000 is the benchmark for the LTD line — the model that demonstrates what the budget sub-brand can do when the specification is right. Available with active EMG or passive Seymour Duncan pickups, it offers near-professional construction: proper set neck, quality hardware, and a consistently good setup. It is the instrument most often recommended to players who want an ESP with serious quality without paying Japan-made prices. Used EC-1000 instruments are particularly good value.

Best Professional: LTD Horizon NT-II

The Horizon NT-II is the top of the LTD range and the closest the sub-brand comes to the Japan-made originals. Neck-through construction, Seymour Duncan pickups, quality hardware, and a playing feel that serious players will notice. It is a working musician's instrument at a price that stops short of the flagships. For players who have outgrown the EC-1000 level but are not ready to spend on the Japanese originals, this is the logical next step in the ESP range.

Best Japan-Made: ESP E-II Eclipse

The E-II line represents the bridge between LTD and the Custom Shop — built in Japan, with Japanese-quality construction at a price below the fully custom instruments. The Eclipse E-II is the flagship Eclipse, with a carved AAA maple top, quality bridge hardware, and Seymour Duncan pickups selected to the ESP specification. The quality step from the EC-1000 to the E-II is immediately perceptible in feel, sustain, and resonance. For players at this level, it is the obvious investment.

Where to Go Next

For a full buying decision guide, the complete ESP buyer's guide covers every choice. For an overview of the brand and its history, the ESP features and types guide covers the essentials. And the beginner's guide is the right starting point for new players.

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