The ESP Guitar Company

my mates one yellowed a bit, noticeable beside my iron cross (which I think has started to yellow too). I never noticed if the headstock was whiter though, might have to look next time I see it.

Personally think Gloss is the way to go with black, not biased like... 

Here's a pic of the aforementioned guitars together but it's possible that the Snakebytes started off life just not as white?

I have a satin black snakebyte. Beautiful guitar but I feel like it smudges a little because of finger oils and all. If you don't mind that (like me) then get it

The satin will eventually get glossy parts. It's an unfortunate part of the satin finish. How much and how soon depend on how much you play and how sweaty/oily you are. It's just like strings. I know people that could play a guitar for 2 years and have clean strings. I also know people that could play a guitar for a week and have super rusted strings.

Thing is, with gloss its easy to clean and buff back up to like as new. With Satin it's harder although there are more satin specific cleaning options available from satin finishes becoming more popular in the auto industry that may make keeping a satin instrument looking good longer.

Eh, I have a different satin finish guitar that a previous owner "cleaned" and now the whole thing just looks shiny.

A slightly damp (water) cloth will clean an ESP satin finish, without making it glossy.

Actual contact wear from playing them will incite a gloss occurring - you're pretty screwed when that happens. Adds 'character' though, shall we say... 

Does anyone know why ESP discontinued making the gloss black and switched to Satin? 

My esp snakebyte is yellowing now, I like it but gloss black is better looking I think 

This Snakebyte looks a little bit alright!

https://reverb.com/item/11955814-2016-esp-custom-shop-signature-james-hetfield-snakebyte-natural-satin-ungespielt-neu-2016-natura

Never understood the rationale behind those. Mahogany is a utility wood and not one to leave natural. The grain is boring.

Lol, ok. I have never heard anyone describe it that way before.

Both seem ok to me but, I'd go with black glossy one (if you don't mind fingerprints) rather than choose the white one. The thing is if you inspect James's old white guitars, the white turned yellowish color. It must mostly depend on the finish type I think.