ESP James Hetfield Vulture Signature Guitar Black Satin
ESP James Hetfield Vulture Signature Guitar Black Satin
In stock
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- SKU
- EVULTUREBLKS
- Color
- Black
Description
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
At a Glance
The ESP James Hetfield Vulture is a studio-grade signature guitar engineered to capture aggressive, articulate metal tones with exceptional sustain and thick low-end response. Its set-neck mahogany body, 24.75" scale, and EMG JH active pickups deliver the precision rhythm clarity and crushing output needed to cut through dense mixes and sit tight in heavy arrangements. The straightforward Volume/Volume/Toggle layout and extra-jumbo frets make tracking percussive riffs and high-gain lead lines efficient and reliable in the session environment.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Drop Tunings
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
- – Traditional Country
Skill level: Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level and genres is this guitar designed for?
The Vulture is built for advanced and professional players working in metal, hard rock, thrash metal, and drop-tuning contexts. It excels in rhythm-heavy, high-output styles and is not optimized for jazz, folk, or traditional country.
What pickups are in this guitar and how do they sound?
The EMG JH active pickup set (neck and bridge) delivers massive output, tight low end, and exceptional note definition—designed to capture James Hetfield's signature crushing rhythm tones with articulate clarity even in heavily palm-muted passages.
What is the neck profile and scale length?
The Vulture features a thin U-neck contour with a 24.75" scale length, one-piece mahogany construction, and a 350mm fingerboard radius across 22 extra-jumbo frets. This profile balances fast, comfortable playability with the solid, authoritative feel suited to precision rhythm work and lead articulation.
How stable is the tuning and bridge hardware?
The guitar uses LTD locking tuners and a Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece, both engineered for tuning stability during aggressive playing and touring use.
What does the guitar include and what is the finish?
The ESP Vulture ships with a form-fit case, features a black satin finish, and includes black hardware throughout. It is built in Japan to elite professional standards with set-neck mahogany construction for thick, resonant tone and exceptional sustain.
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