M BLACK METAL
M BLACK METAL
BLACK SATIN
The LTD Black Metal Series are guitars that are comparable in build quality to our LTD Deluxe “1000 Series” instruments, but with a dark and menacing design theme of all-black finish, components, and hardware, a single premium-quality pickup, Macassar ebony fingerboards with no inlays and glow-in-the-dark side markers, and even a newly-designed black metal LTD logo on the headstock. The M-Black Metal is based on the design off the ESP M-I FR. It’s a neck-thru-body design at 25.5” scale, and includes a Floyd Rose 1000 bridge. The M Black Metal also makes use of the direct-mount Seymour Duncan “Blackened” Black Winter pickup, controlled by a single volume knob.
Just showed up in the mail. A quality one-trick pony. Works out well, as I myself am a one-trick death/grind pony who rarely messes with a bridge pu, toggle or tone control. The stainless steel frets are superb straight from the factory. The simplicity in design and quality parts on this guitar are a breath of fresh air for someone like me. Rarely do I buy a brand new instrument, which is typically followed by an expensive, high-end pickup installation and various other extensive setup efforts. I have no upgrade plans for this. It doesn't need anything. The black winter pickup is every bit as brutal as the Bare Knuckle Nailbomb in my Ibanez. But the Black winter has an element to it that is distinctly different and desirable for playing death/grind metal. The coil split is fun but I'll never use that either. I've seen reviews of this indicating it weights a bit more than expected, but its only a few more oz than my RG. Not too much drag on the volume knob, which I use all the time to keep that organic burst of feedback before and after 30 sec songs. I realize this is a particularity, but I'm strongly against volume pedals and gates. They serve little purpose in grind metal. Also, I was able to re-string this with 60's, truss and intonation adjust in under an hour - A sign of a decent instrument (I'm no tech). I know this is one of the thinnest neck shapes LTD has. As close to the Ibanez Wizard you'll get. If I had one wish, it would be for the neck to be as thin as the Wizard. Probably a patent violation if it was! I knew what I was getting myself into, and for that I'll be keeping my Ibanez close by. But this plays very fast and effortless 
I might ruffle some feathers here, but I bought it straight from the factory. Guitar and matching ESP HS case both in stock, came with a bag of goodies and free shipping. No wild goose chase! ESP USA was super responsive with replies to my Q's within about 1 hour per inquiry. For once in my life, I spend a lot of money on something with ZERO regrets.
So the M Black Metal is my first ESP/LTD. I’ve always wanted an ESP/LTD and I’m happy I finally got one. This guitar is perfect for what I’m into playing now. I plugged this guitar directly into my Marshall DSL 100 (and older JCM 2000) and I can safely say I was so impressed with what I heard I won’t be playing anything else. In fact I’ll be getting more ESP/LTD’s
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