LEC256SSB vs LKH202LH-B — Compare
ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar in Silver Sunburst vs ESP LTD KH-202 LH Kirk Hammett Signature Series Left Handed Electric B-Stock
The EC-256 is a versatile mid-tier single-cut designed for blues, rock, and jazz with articulate dynamics and coil-split voicing, while the KH-202 LH is a budget-friendly left-handed metal machine built for aggressive tones and dive-bomb performance. Choose the EC-256 if you play multiple genres and want refined sustain; pick the KH-202 LH if you're left-handed and focused on metal with a Floyd Rose.
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ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar in Silver Sunburst
ESP LTD KH-202 LH Kirk Hammett Signature Series Left Handed Electric B-Stock
Specs side by side
| ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar in Silver Sunburst | ESP LTD KH-202 LH Kirk Hammett Signature Series Left Handed Electric B-Stock | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $649.00 | $479.20 |
| Brand | ESP LTD | ESP LTD |
| Series | LTD EC | — |
| Body Type | — | Solid |
| Scale | 24.75" Scale | 25.5" Scale |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 Frets | 24 Frets |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Neck | Mahogany | Maple |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck | Bolt-On |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic / Stopbar | Tremolo |
| Year | Unknown | Unknown |
| Condition | New | Refurbished |
Why choose ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar in Silver Sunburst
- ✓ Coil-split pickups on both positions unlock versatile tones from blues to jazz
- ✓ 24.75-inch scale and thin U-neck suit traditional single-cut comfort and familiarity
- ✓ Mahogany set-neck construction yields warm, compressed lows and responsive dynamics
- ✓ 22 extra-jumbo frets and 350mm radius support smooth bending across multiple genres
Why choose ESP LTD KH-202 LH Kirk Hammett Signature Series Left Handed Electric B-Stock
- ✓ Left-handed configuration with mirrored hardware—rare and essential for left-handed players
- ✓ Floyd Rose Special bridge enables aggressive bending and divebombs critical for metal
- ✓ 25.5-inch scale and extra-thin U-neck deliver speed and aggression for lead work
- ✓ Budget price tier with direct signal path and high-output LH-301 pickups ready to go
Frequently asked questions
Which guitar is better for metal?
The KH-202 LH is purpose-built for metal with its aggressive voice, Floyd Rose bridge, and high-output pickups. The EC-256 is not ideal for metal due to its softer, more compressed tone profile designed for blues and jazz.
I'm left-handed—can I play the EC-256?
The EC-256 is not available in left-handed configuration. The KH-202 LH is your left-handed option and comes fully mirrored with proper hardware setup.
How do their scales and neck profiles compare?
The EC-256 uses a 24.75-inch scale with a 350mm fingerboard radius for traditional single-cut feel, while the KH-202 LH offers a longer 25.5-inch scale and tighter 13.77-inch radius for speed and aggression. Both feature thin U-contoured necks but serve different playing styles.
What makes the EC-256 more versatile?
The EC-256's push/pull coil-split functionality on both pickups lets players voice everything from thick, compressed lows to bright articulate highs, making it adaptable across blues, rock, hard rock, and jazz. The KH-202 LH has simpler passive electronics optimized specifically for metal aggression.