ESP LTD KH-202 Electric Guitar in Black Open Box
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- Open box from our own stock: unboxed, inspected and set up by our techs
- Otherwise new and unplayed, original packaging and factory accessories
- Covered by our 30-day money-back return policy
In stock
Only 1 left
- SKU
- LKH202-U
- Color
- Black
. 
This guitar ships without a case
Add the matching hard caseESP CMHFF Form-Fit Hardshell Case for MH Series Guitars (Case Only)
20% off with this guitar: $183.20 $229.00
It ships inside the same box — and your guitar arrives protected.
Description
Sound & Tone
The basswood body and bolt-on maple neck give the KH-202 a punchy, midrange-forward voice, with the passive ESP Designed LH-301B and LH-301N humbuckers adding focused grind at the bridge and a thicker, articulate lead tone at the neck. The 25.5" scale keeps low notes tight and defined for standard and drop tunings, while the flat 350mm radius and 24 XJ frets support fast single-note runs and controlled palm-muted riffing. It's aimed squarely at metal, thrash and hard rock players, and the Floyd Rose Special with locking nut holds pitch through heavy bends and divebombs.
ESP LTD Kirk Hammett KH-202 Signature Electric Guitar - Black
The KH-202 is engineered as a focused tracking and performance instrument for producers and engineers working with heavy music. Its compact, comfortable platform built around an extra-thin U-shaped neck reduces hand fatigue during intensive session work and layered recording passes. This bolt-on construction pairs a basswood body with a roasted jatoba fingerboard, delivering the tonal character and playability needed for aggressive riff work and precise overdubs.
Recording Performance & Ergonomics
The 25.5" scale with 24 XJ frets accommodates both standard and drop-tuned tracking without retuning between takes. A 350mm fingerboard radius and 42mm nut width support controlled palm-muting dynamics and articulate single-note definition during punch-ins and complex session passages, while the extra-thin U neck contour supports marathon recording days and intricate fingering patterns that demand consistency across multiple takes.
Tone & Mix Integration
Passive circuitry with ESP Designed LH-301N (neck) and LH-301B (bridge) pickups delivers focused midrange and articulate high-end response that sits clearly in dense metal mixes without excessive masking. The Floyd Rose Special bridge with locking nut locks tuning stability through aggressive bending techniques and performance effects, critical for maintaining intonation across multiple session takes. The volume/volume/tone/3-way switch layout provides intuitive real-time control for tracking dynamics and tone shaping between rhythm, lead, and layered parts.
Key Features
- Bolt-on construction with basswood body
- Roasted jatoba fingerboard
- Maple neck with extra-thin U contour
- 25.5" scale length
- 24 XJ frets with 350mm radius
- 42mm nut width
- Floyd Rose Special bridge with locking nut
- LTD tuners with black hardware
- ESP Designed LH-301N and LH-301B passive pickups
- Volume/Volume/Tone/3-Way Switch electronics layout
- Skull-and-bones inlay at 12th fret
- Strung with D'Addario EXL120 9-42
The KH-202 combines proven metal recording hardware with an ergonomic neck profile, making it a reliable workhorse for session tracking that demands sustained playability and tuning stability across multiple takes and overdubs.
Open Box - our own stock. This unit was unboxed, inspected and set up by our techs in Temecula; it is otherwise new and unplayed and ships in the original packaging with all factory accessories. Sold as open box at a reduced price. Covered by our 30-day money-back return policy, including any problem on arrival.
More Information
| Condition | Used |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
Reviews
Specifications
| Body Style | Single Cutaway |
|---|---|
| Body Wood | Basswood |
| Scale Length | 25.5" Scale |
| Frets | 24 Frets |
| Fretboard | Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Radius | 350mm |
| Nut Width | 42mm |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Neck Profile | Extra Thin U |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Pickup Models | ESP LH-301N (neck), ESP LH-301B (bridge) |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Licensed |
| Strings | 6 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Model Year | 2017 |
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Drop Tunings
- ✓ Djent
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this guitar suited for drop tunings and djent?
The 25.5-inch scale length, 24 XJ frets, and 42mm nut width are designed to accommodate both standard and drop-tuned applications without compromising palm-muting technique or fast single-note work. The focused midrange and articulate high-end from the ESP Designed LH-301N and LH-301B pickups deliver the clarity and aggression that djent and modern metal demand.
What does open box mean, and is this guitar fully functional?
Open box means the guitar was unboxed, inspected, and set up by our techs but is otherwise new and unplayed. It ships in the original packaging with all factory accessories, is fully functional, and is covered by our 30-day money-back return policy.
How does the Floyd Rose Special bridge help with aggressive playing?
The Floyd Rose Special bridge paired with the locking nut maintains tuning stability through intense bending, divebomb work, and sustained string aggression. This means you can rely on pitch accuracy during extended sessions and complex techniques without constant retuning.
Will the extra-thin neck feel comfortable during long sessions?
The extra-thin U-shaped neck contour is specifically designed to minimize hand fatigue during extended play and complex fingering patterns, making it well-suited for players who track or perform for hours at a time.
What genres is this guitar not recommended for?
The KH-202 is optimized for metal and drop-tuned styles; it is not designed for jazz, blues, or folk applications, where its aggressive tonal character and metal-specific ergonomics would not be a good fit.
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. On this item that is roughly $37 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. 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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