ESP James Hetfield Vulture Signature Guitar Black Satin
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ESP James Hetfield Vulture Signature Guitar Black Satin
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- SKU
- EVULTUREBLKS
- Color
- Black
. Description
Sound & Tone
Set-neck mahogany construction and a 24.75" scale give the Vulture a thick, resonant voice with heavy low-end weight and long sustain, while the macassar ebony fingerboard adds attack and clarity to every note. The EMG JH "Het Set" active pickups push high output with a tight bottom end and strong note separation, so palm-muted downstrokes stay defined rather than turning to mush under high gain. It's aimed squarely at rhythm-focused metal and hard rock playing, though the flat 350mm radius and extra-jumbo frets leave room for clean, articulate lead work.
ESP James Hetfield Vulture Signature Guitar – Black Satin
The ESP Vulture delivers a substantial, balanced feel in the hands thanks to its thin U-neck contour, while the set-neck mahogany construction produces thick, resonant tone with exceptional sustain ideal for tracking heavy rhythm work. Its angular V-style body cuts through a mix with clarity and presence, built in Japan to elite professional standards for studio sessions demanding precision, power, and uncompromising low-end authority in the recording chain.
Playability & Recording Response
The Vulture pairs a 24.75" scale with set-neck mahogany construction and a one-piece mahogany neck, yielding rich sustain and authoritative low-end response that translates well to mic'd cabinet recording and direct input. The thin U neck contour enables fast, comfortable playability across the 22 extra-jumbo frets and macassar ebony fingerboard with its 350mm radius, perfectly suited for tracking both percussive palm-muted riff sections and articulate lead lines with consistent attack and definition.
Tone & Electronics for the Mix
The EMG JH "Het Set" active pickups capture the crushing rhythm tones and clarity that sit tight in dense mixes, delivering massive output, controlled low-end response, and exceptional note definition across tracking and overdub sessions. Control and routing flow through a Volume/Volume/Toggle Switch layout, giving you precise command over neck and bridge pickup tones for quick session adjustments and tone shaping without signal loss.
Key Features
- Set-neck construction with mahogany body and 3-piece mahogany neck
- 24.75" scale length for thick, resonant tone
- Thin U neck contour for fast, comfortable playability
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with 350mm radius
- 22 extra-jumbo frets
- 42mm molded nut
- EMG JH SET active pickups (neck and bridge)
- Volume/Volume/Toggle Switch electronics layout
- LTD locking tuners for tuning stability
- Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece
- Black satin finish with black hardware throughout
- Vulture form-fit case included
The ESP James Hetfield Vulture combines aggressive original design with James Hetfield's signature tone and ESP's renowned Japanese craftsmanship—a modern metal instrument engineered for studio and live tracking applications where uncompromising rhythm power, mix presence, and recording precision are essential.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan |
Reviews
Specifications
| Scale Length | 24.75" Scale |
|---|---|
| Frets | 22 Frets |
| Fretboard | Ebony |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Pickups | Active HH |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic / Stopbar |
| Strings | 6 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Model Year | 2024 |
| Made In | Japan |
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Drop Tunings
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level is this guitar designed for?
The Vulture is built for advanced and professional players. Its thin U-neck contour and 22 extra-jumbo frets demand experience and technique, and it excels in metal, thrash, and hard-rock genres where precision and rhythm authority are essential.
What pickups are in this guitar, and how do they sound?
The Vulture features EMG JH 'Het Set' active pickups in both neck and bridge positions. They deliver massive output, tight low end, crushing rhythm tones, and exceptional note definition—built for the aggressive clarity that defines James Hetfield's signature sound.
Is this guitar good for drop tunings?
Yes. The 24.75" scale length, set-neck mahogany construction, and EMG JH pickups are specifically engineered to handle drop tunings with thick, resonant tone and tight low-end response. The extra-jumbo frets and 42mm molded nut support both percussive riffs and articulate lead lines.
What's included with the guitar?
The Vulture comes with a form-fit Vulture case, LTD locking tuners for tuning stability, and a Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece for professional-grade hardware reliability.
What genres is this guitar best suited for?
The Vulture excels in metal, thrash metal, and hard rock. Its tone profile and construction are not ideal for jazz, blues, or folk playing.
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