Sound & Tone
The mahogany body and set neck at 24.75″ scale give this V a thick, warm midrange foundation with long sustain, while the active EMG Het Set pickups add tight, high-output attack and firm low end that stays defined under heavy gain. The macassar ebony fingerboard sharpens note articulation, so fast downpicked riffs and palm-muted chugs retain clarity rather than blurring together. It’s aimed squarely at metal and hard rock rhythm playing, with the TonePros locking bridge and locking tuners holding pitch through aggressive picking, and the 350mm radius supporting clean bends for lead work.
ESP Vulture James Hetfield Guitar Olympic White
The ESP Vulture is a signature instrument designed in collaboration with Metallica’s James Hetfield, handcrafted by ESP’s Custom Shop luthiers in Japan. Its aggressive V-shaped mahogany body with signature contours and thin U-profile neck deliver immediate comfort and control, while the Olympic White finish with black hardware creates an unmistakable visual statement. Built for high-output rhythm work and sustained aggression, this guitar records with decisive presence and cuts through dense mixes with authority.
Playability & Construction
The set-neck construction at 24.75″ scale provides seamless sustain and upper-fret access, while the one-piece mahogany neck with thin U contour and 42mm nut width ensures fast, confident hand positioning during tracking sessions. The macassar ebony fingerboard with 22 XJ frets and 350mm radius supports fluid bending and precise articulation across the entire neck, capturing articulate tones in the studio.
Tone & Electronics
The EMG Het Set neck and bridge pickups deliver aggressive attack and full low-end response through their ceramic poles and steel construction, controlled via dual volume knobs and a 3-way toggle switch for tracking flexibility. TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece combined with LTD locking tuners ensure rock-solid tuning stability and intonation through long recording sessions and punishing takes, while Elixir Nanoweb Light XL110 strings (.010–.046) provide reliable tone and longevity across the session.
Key Features
- V-shaped mahogany body with forearm comfort contour
- Set-neck construction with 24.75″ scale length
- One-piece mahogany neck, thin U contour
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22 XJ frets
- 350mm fingerboard radius for smooth bending
- 42mm bone nut width
- EMG Het Set neck and bridge pickups (active)
- Dual volume controls and 3-way toggle switch
- TonePros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece
- LTD locking tuners
- Black hardware throughout
- Olympic White finish with included ESP deluxe hardshell case
The ESP Vulture combines elite craftsmanship, signature electronics, and uncompromising hardware into an instrument built to capture professional-grade tones and deliver consistency through demanding studio sessions.
