ESP James Hetfield Vulture Signature Guitar Black Satin
ESP James Hetfield Vulture Signature Guitar Black Satin
Out of stock
- SKU
- EVULTUREBLKS
- Color
- Black
Description
ESP James Hetfield Vulture Signature Guitar – Black Satin
The ESP Vulture sits heavy in the hands with a thin U-neck contour that balances comfort with the solid, authoritative feel Hetfield demands. Its angular V-style body commands presence on any stage, while the set-neck mahogany construction delivers thick, resonant tone with exceptional sustain. Built in Japan to elite professional standards, this is an instrument engineered for players who need precision, power, and uncompromising rhythm authority.
Playability & Construction
The Vulture pairs a 24.75" scale with set-neck mahogany construction and a one-piece mahogany neck, yielding rich sustain and authoritative low-end response. The thin U neck contour enables fast, comfortable playability across the 22 extra-jumbo frets and macassar ebony fingerboard with its 350mm radius, perfectly suited for both percussive palm-muted riffs and articulate lead lines.
Tone & Electronics
The EMG JH "Het Set" active pickups capture the crushing rhythm tones and clarity that define Hetfield's signature sound, delivering massive output, tight low end, and exceptional note definition. Control and routing flow through a Volume/Volume/Toggle Switch layout, giving you precise command over neck and bridge pickup tones with stage-ready reliability.
Key Features
- Set-neck construction with mahogany body and 3-piece mahogany neck
- 24.75" scale length for thick, resonant tone
- Thin U neck contour for fast, comfortable playability
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with 350mm radius
- 22 extra-jumbo frets
- 42mm molded nut
- EMG JH SET active pickups (neck and bridge)
- Volume/Volume/Toggle Switch electronics layout
- LTD locking tuners for tuning stability
- Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece
- Black satin finish with black hardware throughout
- Vulture form-fit case included
The ESP James Hetfield Vulture combines aggressive original design with James Hetfield's signature tone and ESP's renowned Japanese craftsmanship—a modern metal instrument built for players who demand uncompromising rhythm power and precision.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan |
Reviews
At a Glance
The ESP James Hetfield Vulture is a premium signature instrument built for advanced metal and hard-rock players who need crushing rhythm tone, exceptional sustain, and stage-ready precision. Its set-neck mahogany construction, thin U-neck contour, and EMG JH active pickups deliver the tight low end and articulate note definition that define Hetfield's sound, while the angular V-style body commands presence on any stage. Built to Japanese professional standards with locking tuners and bridge hardware, this is a gigging and touring workhorse for players operating in drop tunings and high-output rhythm work.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Drop Tunings
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
- – Traditional Country
Skill level: Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level and genres is this guitar designed for?
The Vulture is built for advanced and professional players working in metal, hard rock, thrash metal, and drop-tuning contexts. It excels in rhythm-heavy, high-output styles and is not optimized for jazz, folk, or traditional country.
What pickups are in this guitar and how do they sound?
The EMG JH active pickup set (neck and bridge) delivers massive output, tight low end, and exceptional note definition—designed to capture James Hetfield's signature crushing rhythm tones with articulate clarity even in heavily palm-muted passages.
What is the neck profile and scale length?
The Vulture features a thin U-neck contour with a 24.75" scale length, one-piece mahogany construction, and a 350mm fingerboard radius across 22 extra-jumbo frets. This profile balances fast, comfortable playability with the solid, authoritative feel suited to precision rhythm work and lead articulation.
How stable is the tuning and bridge hardware?
The guitar uses LTD locking tuners and a Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece, both engineered for tuning stability during aggressive playing and touring use.
What does the guitar include and what is the finish?
The ESP Vulture ships with a form-fit case, features a black satin finish, and includes black hardware throughout. It is built in Japan to elite professional standards with set-neck mahogany construction for thick, resonant tone and exceptional sustain.
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