ESP LTD KH-202 Electric Guitar in Black
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In stock
- SKU
- LKH202
- Color
- Black
. 
This guitar ships without a case
Add the matching hard caseESP CMHFF Form-Fit Hardshell Case for MH Series Guitars (Case Only)
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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.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Country of Manufacture | Indonesia |
Reviews
Specifications
| Body Style | Single Cutaway |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 25.5" Scale |
| Frets | 24 Frets |
| Fretboard | Rosewood |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Licensed |
| Strings | 6 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Model Year | 2017 |
| Made In | Indonesia |
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Metal, Hard Rock, Drop Tunings, Live Performance |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | Focused midrange, articulate high-end, aggressive character, tight sustain |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
What tunings does this guitar handle well?
The 25.5-inch scale length with 24 XJ frets and Floyd Rose Special bridge is designed to support both standard tuning and drop-tuned applications, making it versatile for standard and lower tunings without sacrificing playability.
Is the neck comfortable for long playing sessions?
Yes—the extra-thin U-shaped neck contour and 42mm nut width are specifically engineered to minimize hand fatigue during extended sessions and reduce strain through complex fingering patterns and palm-muting techniques.
How does the Floyd Rose Special bridge affect tuning stability?
The Floyd Rose Special bridge paired with a locking nut maintains tuning stability through aggressive string work, bending, and divebomb effects, making it reliable for intense live performance and studio work.
What are the pickup specs and tone character?
This guitar uses ESP Designed LH-301N (neck) and LH-301B (bridge) passive pickups that deliver focused midrange and articulate high-end response with an aggressive character and tight sustain, typical of quality metal platforms.
What's included with the guitar?
The KH-202 ships strung with D'Addario EXL120 9-42 strings and features roasted jatoba fingerboard, maple neck, bolt-on basswood body, and black hardware throughout.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. At a typical 7% rate that is an estimated $42 less at checkout than the same listed price on a marketplace, which collects sales tax as the facilitator in most states. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.
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