AudioFu

Best ESP ST Style Guitars 2026

Premium ESP st style guitars - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Blues For Pop For Country For Funk For Indie
BRANDS: Fender Ibanez Harley Benton PRS Jackson Squier Kramer Guitars Suhr ESP Charvel Yamaha Larry Carlton Mooer Schecter Music Man Solar Guitars Cort Evh Sterling by Music Man Xotic Guitars Maybach Friedman
ESP E-II M-II HT Mercury Blue Bst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

ESP E-II M-II HT Mercury Blue Bst

by ESP
Funk Country Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

ESP E-II M-II HT Mercury Blue BstBody: AlderTop: Burled MapleNeck: 3-Piece MapleConstruction: Set-ThruNeck Profile:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 565393
$4,179
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD KH-202 BLK Kirk Hammett - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

ESP LTD KH-202 BLK Kirk Hammett

by ESP
Funk Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

ESP LTD KH-202 BLK Kirk HammettElectric GuitarKirk Hammett (Metallica) Signature ModelBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 362691
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD MH-1000 Black Ocean - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

ESP LTD MH-1000 Black Ocean

by ESP
Indie Pop Country
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

ESP LTD MH-1000 Black OceanElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted maple3-Piece neck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608438
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD M-200DX NT BLB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

ESP LTD M-200DX NT BLB

by ESP
Pop Country Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Electronics may need shielding

ESP LTD M-200DX NT BLBElectric GuitarBody: PoplarTop: Poplar burlBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 593609
$548
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD Jeff Hanneman JH-600CTM BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

ESP LTD Jeff Hanneman JH-600CTM BK

by ESP
Blues Country Indie
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

ESP LTD Jeff Hanneman JH-600CTM BKElectric guitarJeff Hanneman (Slayer) signature modelBody: AlderThree-piece maple...

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 565574
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP E-II SN-2 BM NBLKB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

ESP E-II SN-2 BM NBLKB

by ESP
Pop Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Requires quality amplifier

ESP E-II SN-2 BM NBLKBElectric guitarBody: AlderTop: Burled chestnut on mapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck...

⭐ 4.8/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 515600
$3,666
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP E-II M-II NT BTB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

ESP E-II M-II NT BTB

by ESP
Country Pop Indie
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Requires quality amplifier

ESP E-II M-II NT BTBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted maple3-Part neck: MapleFretboard: MapleRadius: 305 mmNut...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 434456
$3,299
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD MH-203 QM STB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

ESP LTD MH-203 QM STB

by ESP
Country Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Electronics may need shielding

ESP LTD MH-203 QM STBElectric GuitarMahogany bodyQuilted maple topBolt-on maple neckMaple fingerboardNeck profile: Thin...

⭐ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 547480
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP E-II RZK-I Fluence - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

ESP E-II RZK-I Fluence

by ESP
Pop Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Electronics may need shielding

ESP E-II RZK-I FluenceElectric GuitarBody: Alder3-Piece neck-through-body: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck Profile: Thin...

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 565405
$4,069
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD H-1000 Evertune QM STPSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

ESP LTD H-1000 Evertune QM STPSB

by ESP
Blues Funk Country
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Requires quality amplifier

ESP LTD H-1000 Evertune QM STPSBElectric guitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted mapleGlued-in neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 536255
$1,814
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD MH-1000NT BB BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

ESP LTD MH-1000NT BB BLK

by ESP
Country Blues Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

ESP LTD MH-1000NT BB BLKElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet-in three-piece neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck...

⭐ 4.4/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608655
$1,935
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD SN-1 HT BB REV - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

ESP LTD SN-1 HT BB REV

by ESP
Funk Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

ESP LTD SN-1 HT BB REVElectric GuitarBody: Swamp ashBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile: Thin...

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608664
$2,034
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD MH-200QM NT STBC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

ESP LTD MH-200QM NT STBC

by ESP
Blues Country Indie
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

ESP LTD MH-200QM NT STBCElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.7/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 431898
$593
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD ALR-II QM STP Andy Laroque - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

ESP LTD ALR-II QM STP Andy Laroque

by ESP
Country Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

ESP LTD ALR-II QM STP Andy LaroqueElectric GuitarAndy Laroque (King Diamond) Signature modelBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608702
$2,474
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson OBSM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson OBSM

by ESP
Blues Indie Country
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson OBSMElectric GuitarMick Thomson (Slipknot) Signature ModelBody: MahoganyTop: White ash3-Piece...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608588
$2,089
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best ST Style 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 st style 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.

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