AudioFu

Best ESP Premium Guitars 2025

Premium ESP premium guitars - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Professional Performance For Studio Recording For Investment Grade For Serious Players For High-End Collection For Master Craftsmanship
BRANDS: Gibson Fender Music Man PRS Mayones Guitars Ibanez ESP Duesenberg Charvel
ESP M7B HT Blood Moon Satin BH FL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

ESP M7B HT Blood Moon Satin BH FL

by ESP
Master Craftsmanship Serious Players Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments and features
  • • Master luthier craftsmanship
✗ CONS
  • • Insurance considerations
  • • Overkill for beginners

ESP M7B HT Blood Moon Satin BH FL7-String Baritone Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614956
$6,379
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP Eclipse FR Saphire Black M - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

ESP Eclipse FR Saphire Black M

by ESP
Professional Performance High-End Collection Master Craftsmanship
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Investment-grade instruments
  • • Superior tone and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful maintenance
  • • Overkill for beginners

ESP Eclipse FR Saphire Black MElectric GuitarESP Custom Shop USABody: MahoganySet neck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 615033
$5,389
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP Horizon FR CTM BM Reptile Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

ESP Horizon FR CTM BM Reptile Blue

by ESP
Master Craftsmanship Serious Players Investment Grade
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and construction
✓ PROS
  • • Master luthier craftsmanship
  • • Superior tone and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • Requires careful maintenance

ESP Horizon FR CTM BM Reptile BlueElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 614944
$9,349
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP Horizon-I Titan Metal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

ESP Horizon-I Titan Metal

by ESP
Master Craftsmanship Serious Players High-End Collection
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Investment-grade instruments
  • • Superior tone and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • Overkill for beginners

ESP Horizon-I Titan MetalElectric GuitarBody: AlderNeck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard: MapleNeck profile: Thin...

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 603122
$5,939
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP KH-2 Vintage Distressed Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

ESP KH-2 Vintage Distressed Black

by ESP
Investment Grade Professional Performance Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments and features
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Overkill for beginners
  • • Insurance considerations

ESP KH-2 Vintage Distressed BlackElectric GuitarKirk Hammett (Metallica) signature modelHandmade in the ESP Custom Shop...

⭐ 4.5/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 517306
$6,819
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP Eclipse FR QM SD TES - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

ESP Eclipse FR QM SD TES

by ESP
Serious Players High-End Collection Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Master luthier craftsmanship
  • • Superior tone and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Insurance considerations
  • • Overkill for beginners

ESP Eclipse FR QM SD TESElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted mapleSet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyNeck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 607077
$6,819
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP E-II M-II HST QM IPF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

ESP E-II M-II HST QM IPF

by ESP
Studio Recording Master Craftsmanship High-End Collection
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and playability
  • • Professional appointments and features
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful maintenance
  • • May be intimidating to casual players

ESP E-II M-II HST QM IPFElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck-thru-body: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 603102
$3,849
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Premium Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced premium guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more