LEC401OW-B vs LMH400SW — Compare

ESP LTD EC-401 Olympic White Guitar B-Stock vs ESP LTD MH-400 SNOW WHITE/EMG guitar

The EC-401 is a classic rock workhorse with a balanced, articulate tone and traditional appointments, while the MH-400 is an aggressive metal machine optimized for high-gain playing with a Floyd Rose tremolo and tighter low end. Choose the EC-401 for versatile rock and modern styles; pick the MH-400 if metal, djent, and extreme pitch manipulation are your primary focus.

No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.

ESP LTD EC-401 Olympic White Guitar B-Stock

$799.20
View ESP LTD EC-401 Olympic White Guitar B-Stock

ESP LTD MH-400 SNOW WHITE/EMG guitar

$899.00
View ESP LTD MH-400 SNOW WHITE/EMG guitar

Specs side by side

ESP LTD EC-401 Olympic White Guitar B-StockESP LTD MH-400 SNOW WHITE/EMG guitar
Price$799.20$899.00
BrandESP LTDESP LTD
SeriesLTD ECLTD MH
Body TypeSolid
Scale25.5" Scale
Strings66
Frets24 Frets
FretboardRosewoodRosewood
NeckMaple
Neck ConstructionNeck-Thru-Body
Pickup ConfigurationActive HH
BridgeFixedFloyd Rose Licensed
YearUnknownUnknown
ConditionRefurbishedNew

Why choose ESP LTD EC-401 Olympic White Guitar B-Stock

  • TOM bridge and tailpiece for classic sustain and tuning stability
  • Earvana compensated nut improves intonation across fretboard
  • B-stock pricing offers identical tone quality at a discount
  • Balanced EMG 81/60 pairing handles rhythm and lead equally well

Why choose ESP LTD MH-400 SNOW WHITE/EMG guitar

  • Floyd Rose Special tremolo for dramatic, stable pitch bends and whammy effects
  • Extra-jumbo frets and thinner neck profile accelerate fast lead playing
  • EMG 85 neck pickup delivers more aggressive output than standard 60
  • Tighter low end and higher sustain suited specifically for high-gain contexts
Bottom line: Buy the EC-401 if you want a dependable, balanced rock guitar with classic hardware and value pricing. Buy the MH-400 if metal and modern high-gain styles dominate your playing and you need a Floyd Rose and aggressive tonal character.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main tonal difference between these two guitars?

The EC-401 prioritizes articulate clarity and balanced mids across both pickups, making it adaptable to rock and modern styles. The MH-400 emphasizes aggressive output and a tight low end optimized for high-gain metal and djent, with its EMG 85 neck pickup delivering more punch than the EC-401's EMG 60.

Which guitar is better for tremolo effects and whammy techniques?

The MH-400 is purpose-built for extensive tremolo use thanks to its Floyd Rose Special locking system, which maintains tuning integrity through dramatic pitch manipulation. The EC-401 uses a traditional TOM bridge, which is stable for standard playing but not designed for aggressive whammy effects.

How do the frets and playability differ?

The MH-400 features 24 extra-jumbo frets on a 350mm radius fingerboard and thinner neck, designed to maximize speed and precision for lead work. The EC-401 has a thin U-shaped neck optimized for comfortable playability across a range of styles but does not specify extra-jumbo frets.

Is the B-stock EC-401 really the same quality as a new one?

Yes—B-stock designation reflects only cosmetic grading. ESP's quality control ensures these unplayed guitars have identical sound and construction quality to A-stock models, offering significant savings without compromising tone or playability.

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