NAMM 2026: ESP Guitars Adds Exciting New Signature Series Guitars

NAMM 2026: ESP Guitars Adds Exciting New Signature Series Guitars

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ESP Guitars (NAMM Booth 210D) debuted nine new models to their acclaimed Signature Series. These guitars are based on the ESP Custom instruments created in conjunction with some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians.

“ESP’s Signature Series offers something for everyone,” says Tony Rauser, ESP Director of Artist Relations. “The artists who play these guitars are among the world’s most respected guitarists, and their Signature guitars allow people the opportunity to use the same instruments they’ve seen played in front of thousands of people on stage and heard on some of the most acclaimed albums of all time.”

To commemorate the 20-year milestone anniversary of ESP’s relationship with the late Alexi Laiho, respected and influential frontman and lead guitarist in Finnish melodic death metal masters Children of Bodom, two new Signature Series guitars were announced at NAMM 2026. The LTD Alexi Laiho Arrowhead SE 20th Anniversary (Black w/Yellow Bevels) and the LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth SE 20th Anniversary (Black w/White Pinstripes) both use the offset V-shape for which the guitarist was well known. Features on these Signature guitars include neck-thru-body construction at 25.5” scale, a Macassar ebony fingerboard (scalloped from frets 19-24), satin-finished neck, Grover tuners, a double-locking Floyd Rose 1000 bridge, and a single EMG HZ F-H2 passive pickup with volume control.

Another new high-value Signature guitar was announced for George Lynch, whose distinctive Kamikaze guitar, released in 1985, was one of the first-ever ESP Signature models. The LTD GL-200 Kami is a streamlined version of the instrument in a solid Black finish, but retaining recognizable design elements like the “hockey stick” reverse headstock. Other features include a basswood body, a Floyd Rose Special double-locking tremolo bridge, and a set of ESP LH-150B (bridge) humbucker and an ESP LS-120 passive single coil pickups in the neck position.

Joining the ESP Signature artist family for 2026 is Jack Simmons, guitarist and music composer for international deathcore icons Slaughter to Prevail. The LTD JS-7 Baritone features a V-shaped body, neck-thru-body construction at 27” scale, 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a 48mm Graphtec TUSQ XL nut, a Hipshot 7 hardtail bridge with string-thru-body, and a single direct-mount Fishman Open Core Modern 3-Voice humbucker active pickup.

The late iconic thrash metal guitar god from Slayer, Jeff Hanneman, has a new addition to his Signature Series with the LTD JH-200 CTM. This guitar, priced for accessibility to the legions of Slayer fans, features bolt-on construction, excellent access to the highest frets, an alder body, red star position marker inlays, a Floyd Rose Special double-locking tremolo bridge, and a set of high-output ESP LH-301 humbucking pickups.

Updated for 2026 with a new Black Satin finish, the LTD MT-I is the Signature Series guitar for Mick Thomson, highly respected guitarist of Slipknot. The MT-I features set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, mahogany body with white ash top, 24 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL nut, Hipshot Grip-Lock locking open gear tuners, an all-brass Hipshot Hi-Mass hardtail bridge, blue Luminlay side markers, and a Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature pickup with a 3-way low profile toggle switch to select between voices.

The long-awaited Signature Series guitar for Joe Duplantier, the founding member, songwriter, and producer of French heavy metal icons Gojira, made its debut at NAMM 2026. The LTD JD-I offers a uniquely modified take on the offset XJ shape, and features bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, a three-piece roasted maple neck with Macassar ebony fingerboard, pearloid block inlays, and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Hipshot Tone-a-Matic bridge and tailpiece, a Graphtech TUSQ nut, and Joe’s signature DiMarzio JD Fortitude passive humbucking pickup.

Finally, a new finish is available for one of the best-selling Signature Series guitars of all time. Now available in Magenta finish with gold hardware, the LTD SC-607 Baritone is a Signature guitar of Stephen Carpenter, the influential co-founder of California-based alt-metal gurus Deftones. This new finish and design scheme is based off one of Stef’s beloved personal ESP Custom Shop guitars, and its features include seven strings, neck-thru-body construction at 27” scale, a TonePros locking TOM-style bridge with string-thru-body, and a set of Stephen’s own Fishman Fluence SRC Signature 3-Voice pickups.

Comments
Bill V.

I cannot emphasize enough on how important it is to represent different genres of music. For instance.

A hollow body guitars with humbucker, 50 nines, for the millions of jazz players all over the world.. Also to please represent all styles of music.

And not just and death metal.. Your guitar's our second to none the best in the world. And for the future of your company and employees

I hope that you will expand your product line to represent all styles of music.. Humbly, a loyal fan, thank you for listening

 

 

Eric Z.

For me ESP is rock! All manners rock. You can play jazz or anything else on any of the guitars. I doubt they will make jazz boxes anytime soon. Try Claire DeLune on a kamikaze!