Description
Made by hand at the ESP Custom Shop in Japan, the ESP Snakebyte is a Signature Series model of James Hetfield, the frontman of Metallica and one of the world’s most highly respected rhythm guitar players in any genre. The Snakebyte was created based on James’ own original design. It features set-neck construction at 24.75″ scale, with a mahogany body and a single-piece mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard and 22 extra-jumbo frets with a snake inlay at the 12th fret. The ESP Snakebyte is powered by James’ own EMG JH SET active pickups, and includes premier components such as a bone nut, Schaller straplocks, Sperzel locking tuners, and a TonePros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece. Available in Snow White or Black Satin finishes, as well as in a lefthanded version. The ESP Snakebyte includes a hardshell case and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from ESP. The Snakebyte is also available in an LTD version in Snow White, left-handed, and Black Satin (also available left-handed).
EMG JH “HET” SET:
In early 2009, James Hetfield contacted EMG Pickups president Rob Turner and presented him with a challenge: to create a “stealth” looking set that captures the clarity and punch of a passive pickup and still retains the legendary active tone that molded a generation.
The JH “HET” Set consists of the JH-N (neck) and the JH-B (bridge). Both were patterned after the pickups James had used for 30 years, but the end result was a completely different animal. The JH-N has individual ceramic poles and bobbins that feature a larger core and are taller than the 60. This produces more attack, higher output, and fuller low end in the neck position. The JH-B uses the same type of core but has steel pole pieces, unlike the 81 that uses bar magnets. This produces the familiar tight attack with less inductance for a cleaner low end.
ABOUT ESP:
ESP Company, Limited is a Japanese guitar manufacturer, primarily focused on the production of electric guitars and basses. They are based in both Tokyo, Japan and Los Angeles, California, United States, with two distinct product lines for each respective market. ESP Company manufactures instruments under several names, including “ESP Standard”, “ESP Custom Shop”, “LTD Guitars and Basses”, “Navigator”, “Edwards Guitar and Basses”, and “Grassroots”. www.espguitars.com