ESP LTD James Hetfield Snakebyte Electric Guitar in Black Satin B-Stoc
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- SKU
- LSNAKEBYTEBLKS-B
- Color
- Black
. Description
Sound & Tone
The all-mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck, joined with set-neck construction, give the Snakebyte a thick, dark voice with long sustain, while the Macassar ebony fingerboard tightens up note attack and definition. The EMG JH Het Set active pickups push that foundation into focused, high-output aggression with clear note separation under heavy gain, making palm-muted riffing and fast downpicking read distinctly rather than blurring together. The 24.75" scale keeps string tension relaxed for lower tunings and bends, and with extra-jumbo frets and a 13.78" radius it handles both chugging rhythm work and lead runs — a natural fit for heavy metal, thrash, and hard rock.
ESP LTD James Hetfield Snakebyte Electric Guitar in Black Satin B-Stock
The Snakebyte is engineered with an aggressive Explorer-style body contour that promotes controlled, stable positioning during marathon recording and tracking sessions, supported by a set-neck construction that maintains consistent neck-to-body alignment for reliable tracking performance. The mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck generate thick, articulate sustain with a dark character that cuts through dense mixes and translates well to both direct recording and amp mic'd captures in heavy music production. This B-Stock unit shows minor cosmetic finish imperfections but functions identically to standard production models.
Playability & Feel
The 24.75" scale length paired with a fast neck profile (0.822" depth at the 1st fret, 0.894" at the 12th) enables efficient recording takes from rhythm chops to lead passes without fatigue. Extra-jumbo frets and a 13.78" fingerboard radius support precise fretting for clean tone capture in studio sessions, while the 1.65" nut width and Macassar ebony fingerboard provide the comfort and consistency needed for repeatable, problem-free recording work.
Tone & Electronics
The EMG JH Het Set active pickups deliver the focused, articulate aggression essential for heavy metal and hard rock tracking—translating raw playing dynamics into defined, punchy recordings that sit tight in the mix. TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece hardware combined with ESP locking tuners guarantee absolute tuning stability across full sessions, eliminating drift and ensuring consistent tone capture throughout overdubs and punch-ins.
Key Features
- Set-neck construction with mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck
- Snakebyte Explorer-style body shape with aggressive ergonomic design
- 24.75" scale length
- 22 extra-jumbo (XJ) frets with Macassar ebony fingerboard
- 13.78" fingerboard radius
- MOTO dot position inlays with snake inlay at 12th fret
- EMG JH Het Set active pickups
- TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece with black satin finish
- ESP locking tuners
- 1.65" nut width with 0.822" neck depth at 1st fret and 0.894" at 12th fret
- Black satin finish on body and hardware
The Snakebyte delivers the tone character, tuning stability, and ergonomic consistency that home-studio producers and engineers rely on for efficient heavy-music tracking and mix-ready recordings.
As a B-Stock instrument it carries a minor factory cosmetic blemish — a small finish mark with no effect on playability, tone or structure — which is why it sells for less than a first-quality unit. The exact blemish varies from unit to unit, so it is not described or pictured here; photos show the model, not the individual unit. It is new, unplayed and covered by the full manufacturer warranty.
More Information
| Condition | Refurbished |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Country of Manufacture | South Korea |
Reviews
Specifications
| Body Style | Single Cutaway |
|---|---|
| Fretboard | Ebony |
| Pickups | HH |
| Bridge | Fixed |
| Strings | 6 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Made In | South Korea |
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Drop Tunings
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What does B-Stock mean for this guitar?
B-Stock means this Snakebyte is brand new and unplayed with full manufacturer warranty coverage, but carries a minor factory cosmetic finish imperfection—such as a small finish mark—that has no effect on playability, tone, or structure. The exact cosmetic blemish varies between units and is not pictured here; you are purchasing the model at a discount for cosmetic reasons only.
Is this guitar suitable for metal and hard rock?
Yes. The Snakebyte is purpose-built for metal, hard rock, thrash, and drop-tuning applications. Its mahogany body, three-piece neck, EMG JH Het active pickups, and aggressive Explorer-style ergonomics are engineered specifically for heavy music. It is not recommended for jazz, blues, or folk styles.
What is the neck like, and will it suit my playing style?
The Snakebyte features a fast neck profile with a 24.75" scale, extra-jumbo frets, and a 13.78" fingerboard radius designed for both aggressive rhythm work and fluid lead passages. At 0.822" depth at the 1st fret and 0.894" at the 12th, combined with a 1.65" nut width, the neck provides comfortable spacing and responsive playability across the entire fingerboard.
How does the pickup set perform?
The EMG JH Het Set active pickups deliver focused, articulate aggression with thick sustain and dark character suited to heavy applications. These are active electronics designed for the punch and clarity needed in metal and hard rock, with high output for driving amp front ends.
How stable is the tuning on this model?
The Snakebyte combines ESP locking tuners, a TonePros locking bridge, and TonePros locking tailpiece hardware to ensure rock-solid tuning stability and reliable sustain through intense playing sessions and tour demands.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.
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