ESP Vulture James Hetfield Guitar Olympic White
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ESP Vulture James Hetfield Guitar Olympic White
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- SKU
- EVULTUREOW
- Color
- White
. Description
Sound & Tone
The mahogany body and set neck at 24.75" scale give this V a thick, warm midrange foundation with long sustain, while the active EMG Het Set pickups add tight, high-output attack and firm low end that stays defined under heavy gain. The macassar ebony fingerboard sharpens note articulation, so fast downpicked riffs and palm-muted chugs retain clarity rather than blurring together. It's aimed squarely at metal and hard rock rhythm playing, with the TonePros locking bridge and locking tuners holding pitch through aggressive picking, and the 350mm radius supporting clean bends for lead work.
ESP Vulture James Hetfield Guitar Olympic White
The ESP Vulture is a signature instrument designed in collaboration with Metallica's James Hetfield, handcrafted by ESP's Custom Shop luthiers in Japan. Its aggressive V-shaped mahogany body with signature contours and thin U-profile neck deliver immediate comfort and control, while the Olympic White finish with black hardware creates an unmistakable visual statement. Built for high-output rhythm work and sustained aggression, this guitar performs as decisively as it looks.
Playability & Construction
The set-neck construction at 24.75" scale provides seamless sustain and upper-fret access, while the one-piece mahogany neck with thin U contour and 42mm nut width sits perfectly in your hand for fast, confident positioning. The macassar ebony fingerboard with 22 XJ frets and 350mm radius responds with fluid bending and precise articulation across the entire neck, supporting everything from pinch harmonics to sustained sustain with zero surprises.
Tone & Electronics
The EMG Het Set neck and bridge pickups cut through any mix with aggressive attack and full low-end punch—ceramic poles and steel construction mean they track perfectly even under extreme pick pressure. TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece combined with LTD locking tuners lock in tuning rock-solid through hours of touring or hard studio sessions, while Elixir Nanoweb Light XL110 strings (.010–.046) stay tonally consistent night after night with minimal dead spots.
Key Features
- V-shaped mahogany body with forearm comfort contour
- Set-neck construction with 24.75" scale length
- One-piece mahogany neck, thin U contour
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22 XJ frets
- 350mm fingerboard radius for smooth bending
- 42mm bone nut width
- EMG Het Set neck and bridge pickups (active)
- Dual volume controls and 3-way toggle switch
- TonePros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece
- LTD locking tuners
- Black hardware throughout
- Olympic White finish with included ESP deluxe hardshell case
The ESP Vulture combines elite craftsmanship, signature electronics, and uncompromising hardware into an instrument built to withstand and deliver the demands of professional metal performance.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan |
Reviews
Specifications
| Scale Length | 24.75" Scale |
|---|---|
| Frets | 22 Frets |
| Fretboard | Ebony |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Pickups | Active HH |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic / Stopbar |
| Strings | 6 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Model Year | 2024 |
| Made In | Japan |
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Drop Tunings
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
- – Country
Skill level: Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level is this guitar designed for?
The ESP Vulture is engineered for professional players. The thin U-profile neck, 42mm nut width, and aggressive EMG Het Set electronics are optimized for confident, high-volume playing styles and suit experienced metal musicians most effectively.
Does this guitar work well with drop tunings and heavy styles?
Yes. The 24.75" scale length, set-neck construction, EMG Het Set active pickups, and TonePros locking hardware are all designed to deliver sustained aggression and tuning stability under extreme playing conditions typical of metal, thrash, and hard rock.
What pickups and controls does it have?
The guitar features EMG Het Set neck and bridge pickups with active ceramic-pole construction, controlled via dual volume knobs and a 3-way toggle switch. These pickups deliver aggressive attack, full low-end response, and high output ideal for heavy rhythm tones.
How does the neck feel and what fretboard specifications does it have?
The one-piece mahogany neck has a thin U contour designed for fast hand positioning and confident control. The macassar ebony fingerboard features 22 XJ frets and a 350mm radius that supports fluid bending and precise articulation across the fretboard.
What hardware keeps this guitar in tune during aggressive playing?
The TonePros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece combined with LTD locking tuners provide rock-solid tuning stability and intonation under the demanding conditions of professional metal performance.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. On this item that is roughly $430 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.
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