ESP LTD Horizon Custom '87 Guitar Candy Apple Red
Description
ESP LTD Horizon Custom '87 Guitar – Candy Apple Red
The Horizon Custom '87 is built for players who demand speed and stability in one package. Its extra thin U-shaped neck profile and 24 XJ frets let you move across the board with zero compromise, while neck-thru construction locks in the sustain and resonance that cuts through a mix on stage. The Macassar ebony fingerboard feels glass-smooth under your hand—the kind of surface that rewards both precision work and raw expression. '80s attitude meets modern reliability in a guitar that works equally well in the studio or touring rotation.
In Your Hands
This neck is made for stamina. The extra thin U contour shreds fatigue during long sets and gets you to the upper frets without fighting the instrument. The 350mm fingerboard radius sits right in the sweet spot—comfortable for open voicings and barre chords, but never compromising when you're locked in on lead passages. Add the 42mm locking nut, and the Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo stays locked in no matter how hard you dive, keeping your tuning tight from first song to last.
What You Hear
The Seymour Duncan pickup set—Hotrail at the neck, Custom at the bridge—gives you real range. Neck pickup delivers warm, articulate cleans; bridge pickup punches with aggression and power. Both pickups include pull-tone coil-splitting, giving you four usable voicings without reaching for a switch. The alder body and 3-piece maple neck are the foundation: balanced response, clear articulation, and sustain that doesn't quit. The master volume/tone (push/pull) and toggle switch are right where you need them for mid-song tweaks.
Key Features
- Neck-thru body construction for maximum sustain and stability
- Alder body with balanced tone and excellent clarity
- 3-piece maple neck for stability and bright tonal characteristics
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with sleek, fast playing surface
- 25.5" scale with 24 XJ frets for smooth playability and upper fret access
- 350mm fingerboard radius suited to both chordal and lead playing
- 42mm locking nut designed for Floyd Rose tremolo tuning stability
- Extra thin U neck contour engineered for speed and comfortable fretboard navigation
- Seymour Duncan Hotrail (neck) and Custom (bridge) pickups with pull-tone coil-splitting
- Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo system for expressive pitch manipulation
- Black hardware complementing Candy Apple Red finish
- D'Addario XL120 strings (.009–.042) for balanced tone and comfortable playability
The ESP LTD Horizon Custom '87 is a workhorse. It has the visual swagger of the '80s, the hardware and electronics that touring pros rely on, and a neck that rewards you every time you pick it up.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Country of Manufacture | South Korea |
Reviews
At a Glance
The ESP LTD Horizon Custom '87 is a neck-thru hard-rock and metal machine built for speed and sustain, featuring an extra-thin U-shaped neck, 24 frets, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo that locks in tight even under aggressive use. Seymour Duncan Hotrails and Custom pickups deliver articulate cleans and powerful overdriven tones with coil-splitting versatility, while the alder body and maple neck produce balanced clarity across a wide frequency range—essential for both studio tracking and touring stages. Its 350mm fingerboard radius and fast playing surface make it equally at home executing technical lead work or laying down tight rhythm parts in progressive and contemporary settings.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Live Performance
Not the best pick for
- – Folk
- – Worship
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What neck profile does this guitar have, and how does it feel for extended playing?
The Horizon Custom '87 features an extra-thin U-shaped neck contour engineered to minimize fatigue during long sessions and enable rapid fret access. The 25.5-inch scale and 24 XJ frets allow seamless transitions across the fingerboard, making it comfortable for both fast lead work and chordal playing.
How stable is the tremolo system under heavy use?
The 42mm locking nut is specifically designed to work with the Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo system, maintaining tuning stability even with aggressive pitch manipulation and heavy use. This combination makes it reliable for live performances and studio sessions where tuning consistency matters.
What tonal range does this guitar cover?
The Seymour Duncan Hotrail (neck) and Custom (bridge) pickups deliver articulate cleans, powerful overdriven tones, and a balanced mid-range, with pull-tone coil-splitting on both pickups for expanded sonic palette. The alder body and 3-piece maple neck produce bright high-end characteristics and excellent sustain across genres from hard rock to progressive.
Is this guitar suitable for studio recording and live performance?
Yes, the Horizon Custom '87 is designed to excel in both environments. Neck-thru construction ensures maximum sustain for clear tracking, while the Floyd Rose 1000 and locking nut provide the tuning stability live performers depend on during extended sets.
What fingerboard radius is this, and what playing styles does it support?
The 350mm fingerboard radius accommodates both chordal playing and aggressive lead work without sacrificing comfort. This moderate radius is versatile enough for expressive bending and technical passages across rock, metal, and progressive styles.