EFRXCTMSTBLKSB-2 vs EKH3 — Compare
ESP FRX Kiso Custom Guitar See Thru Black Sunburst vs ESP KH-3 Spider Kirk Hammett 30th Anniversary Guitar
The ESP FRX Kiso Custom is a versatile set-thru workhorse for hard rock and progressive music, while the ESP KH-3 Spider is a neck-thru aggression machine engineered specifically for thrash metal and extreme drop-tuning applications. Choose the FRX for tonal flexibility and studio adaptability, or the KH-3 if your primary focus is metal speed and stability under extreme playing conditions.
No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.
ESP FRX Kiso Custom Guitar See Thru Black Sunburst
ESP KH-3 Spider Kirk Hammett 30th Anniversary Guitar
Specs side by side
| ESP FRX Kiso Custom Guitar See Thru Black Sunburst | ESP KH-3 Spider Kirk Hammett 30th Anniversary Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,499.00 | $5,499.00 |
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Series | ESP E-II FRX | — |
| Body | Single Cutaway | Other |
| Body Type | Solid | Solid |
| Scale | — | 24.75" Scale |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | — | 24 Frets |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Neck | — | Maple |
| Neck Construction | — | Neck-Thru-Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH | Active HH |
| Bridge | Tremolo | Floyd Rose Original |
| Year | 2013 | 2022 |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose ESP FRX Kiso Custom Guitar See Thru Black Sunburst
- ✓ Set-thru construction balances sustain with slightly more body resonance and warmth
- ✓ Longer 25.5" scale provides familiar tuning pitch and open-string clarity
- ✓ Versatile Seymour Duncan '59 and Distortion pickup pairing handles rhythm and lead equally well
- ✓ Quilted maple top and see-thru black sunburst finish offer striking aesthetics
Why choose ESP KH-3 Spider Kirk Hammett 30th Anniversary Guitar
- ✓ Neck-thru construction maximizes sustain and vibration transfer for sustained high-gain passages
- ✓ Shorter 24.75" scale enables easier drop tunings and rapid position changes
- ✓ Scalloped upper frets (17–24) eliminate friction for speed-focused lead work and whammy abuse
- ✓ EMG Bonebreaker active electronics deliver articulate high-output aggression tailored to modern metal
Frequently asked questions
Which guitar is better for drop tunings and extreme metal?
The KH-3 Spider excels here due to its shorter 24.75" scale, which accommodates lower tunings more naturally, and its neck-thru construction locks in tighter sustain for aggressive high-gain passages. The FRX's longer 25.5" scale and set-thru design favor standard to half-step-down tunings.
How do the pickups differ in character?
The FRX pairs Seymour Duncan '59 (warm, classic) and Distortion (modern, tight) for balanced rhythm-to-lead response. The KH-3's EMG Bonebreaker set is active, high-output, and optimized specifically for articulate metal aggression and extreme gain without loss of definition.
Which is easier to play for fast lead work?
The KH-3 Spider features an extra-thin U-shaped neck, scalloped upper frets, and a shorter 24.75" scale that reduce friction and encourage rapid position changes. The FRX offers a thinner U-neck but lacks scalloping and uses a longer scale, making it slightly less optimized for pure speed.
Which guitar offers more tonal versatility?
The FRX Kiso is more versatile, spanning hard rock, progressive, and studio applications thanks to its pickup pairing and set-thru resonance. The KH-3 is purpose-built for metal and extreme gain, with less range for blues, jazz, or moderate-gain applications.