ESP Alexi Laiho Ripped Guitar Purple Faded Pinstripes
Description
The ESP Alexi Laiho Ripped Guitar in Purple Faded Pinstripes is a striking model from the Signature Series, meticulously crafted in Japan to honor the legendary style and playing demands of Alexi Laiho, the late frontman of Children of Bodom. This guitar combines aggressive styling with high-performance features, making it a top choice for players seeking both exceptional playability and distinctive aesthetics. Here’s a detailed examination of its specifications:
Construction and Design
- Construction: Neck-Thru construction ensures superior sustain and stability, with the neck extending through the body for seamless access to higher frets.
- Scale: The 25.5" scale length is optimal for precise intonation and balanced tension across the strings, suitable for aggressive playing styles.
- Body Material: Alder provides a robust tonal foundation with a balanced sound profile, enhancing both clean and distorted tones.
- Neck: 3-piece maple enhances the guitar’s tonal clarity and sustain, ideal for cutting through a dense mix.
- Fingerboard: Ebony, known for its smooth feel and articulate response, paired with a 305mm radius perfect for fast play and comfortable chording.
Playability
- Nut: A locking nut width of 42mm ensures tuning stability, crucial when utilizing the Floyd Rose tremolo for extreme pitch shifts.
- Neck Contour: The Thin U-shaped profile is designed for comfort and speed, facilitating effortless fretting and string bending.
- Frets: 24 extra jumbo frets allow for extreme playability and easy access across the entire fretboard, suitable for intricate solos and riffs.
Hardware and Electronics
- Tuners: Gotoh locking tuners provide reliable and precise tuning, crucial for maintaining performance integrity.
- Bridge: A Floyd Rose Original tremolo system offers unparalleled control over vibrato effects and maintains excellent tuning stability.
- Pickups: Equipped with EMG HZ S2 (neck) and EMG HZ FH-2 (bridge) pickups, delivering a wide range of tones from clear, crisp cleans to aggressive, overdriven sounds.
- Electronics Layout: Includes a master volume control, a toggle switch for easy pickup selection, and an ESP MM-04 Active Boost Switch, offering a significant on-the-fly boost for solos and lead sections.
Aesthetic and Extras
- Finish: The Purple Fade Satin with Ripped Pinstripes is visually captivating, ensuring this guitar stands out on stage and in the studio.
- Strings: Fitted with Elixir Nanoweb Super Light gauge strings, providing a smooth playing experience and extended tone life.
- Case: Includes a V-ALEXI guitar form-fit case for superior protection during transportation and storage.
- Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes, confirming its status as a genuine and collectible signature model.
The ESP Alexi Laiho Ripped Guitar not only serves as a fitting tribute to one of metal’s most iconic guitarists but also offers exceptional features that meet the needs of advanced players looking for a unique and high-performance instrument. Whether used for live performance, recording sessions, or private practice, this guitar is crafted to deliver uncompromising quality and a powerful presence.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan |
Reviews
At a Glance
The ESP Alexi Laiho Ripped is a Japanese-built neck-thru signature model engineered for extreme metal and hard rock, featuring a Floyd Rose Original tremolo, EMG pickups with active boost, and a fast 24-fret ebony board built for speed and sustain. Advanced players who gig and record will appreciate the tuning stability, aggressive tone from alder/maple construction, and stage-ready aesthetics—the purple fade with ripped pinstripes commands attention. This is a professional-grade instrument that rewards technical players and sits naturally in touring rigs and studio sessions alongside comparable high-end models.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Progressive
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
- – Country
Skill level: Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this guitar suitable for beginners?
No—the Alexi Laiho Ripped is engineered for advanced and professional players. The thin U-shaped neck, 24 extra jumbo frets, Floyd Rose tremolo, and locking nut demand experience with setup and tremolo systems. The tone profile and playability are optimized for metal, hard rock, and thrash, not foundational learning.
What pickups are installed, and can they handle both clean and distorted tones?
The guitar ships with EMG HZ S2 (neck) and EMG HZ FH-2 (bridge) pickups paired with an active MM-04 boost switch. Yes, they deliver clear, crisp cleans through to aggressive, overdriven sounds—the boost switch adds on-the-fly gain for solos and lead sections.
How does the Floyd Rose tremolo affect tuning stability?
The Floyd Rose Original system maintains excellent tuning stability even during extreme pitch shifts and vibrato effects. The 42mm locking nut is paired with Gotoh locking tuners to keep the guitar in tune during aggressive playing and dive bombs.
What is the scale length, and why does it matter for this style?
The 25.5" scale length is optimal for precise intonation and balanced string tension, especially suited to aggressive playing styles and complex soloing. It's the standard for high-performance metal guitars and ensures clarity across tight riffs and lead passages.
What comes in the box with this guitar?
The package includes the guitar fitted with Elixir Nanoweb Super Light strings, a V-ALEXI form-fit case for transport and storage, and a Certificate of Authenticity confirming it as a genuine signature model.
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