ESP LTD KH-202 Electric Guitar in Black
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- SKU
- LKH202
- Color
- Black
. 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 |
Reviews
This guitar ships without a case
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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 |
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Drop Tunings
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
- – Country
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What tunings does the KH-202 handle well?
The 25.5" scale and 42mm nut width are designed for both standard tuning and aggressive drop tunings. It ships with D'Addario EXL120 9-42 strings, which suit drop-D and lower standard applications.
How does the neck feel during long playing sessions?
The extra-thin U-shaped neck contour is specifically engineered to reduce hand fatigue during extended play, making it comfortable for complex fingering patterns and fast single-note work typical of metal playing.
What kind of tone should I expect?
The passive ESP Designed LH-301N and LH-301B pickups deliver focused midrange and articulate high-end response with an aggressive character—purpose-built for metal and hard rock, not suited for jazz, folk, or country applications.
Does the Floyd Rose bridge stay in tune during aggressive playing?
Yes. The Floyd Rose Special bridge paired with a locking nut maintains tuning stability through aggressive string bending and divebombs, essential for metal technique and live reliability.
What's included and what pickups come stock?
The guitar arrives strung with D'Addario EXL120 9-42 strings and equipped with two passive ESP Designed pickups (LH-301N in the neck position, LH-301B in the bridge) controlled via a Volume/Volume/Tone/3-Way Switch layout.
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