Electric guitars

ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy

The ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy pairs a distinctive V-shaped design with Japanese neck-through-body construction, a Floyd Rose tremolo, and one humbucker. Its focused layout and high listed price make it a specialized choice rather than an all-purpose guitar.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy: Technical Review

The ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy is a Japanese-made signature guitar associated with Alexi Laiho. Its specification centers on a V-style alder body, a three-piece maple neck that runs through the body, an ebony fingerboard, one EMG HZ-FH2 humbucker, and a Floyd Rose bridge. The listed finish is distressed black with yellow stripes. These details define a focused design, but the available information does not include independent measurements, playing impressions, or customer reviews, so this assessment is limited to the stated construction and hardware.

Body, neck, and fingerboard

The body is made from alder and has no separate top. Its V-style outline and black-and-yellow finish give the model its most immediately recognizable visual features. The distressed finish is specified, but the supplied details do not describe the exact wear pattern or how the finish is applied.

The neck is a three-piece maple construction, joined to the body with a neck-through design. That describes the central structural layout, rather than a bolt-on neck joint. ESP lists the neck profile as Thin U. The profile name indicates the intended shape category, but there are no neck-depth measurements here to show how it compares with other instruments or how it may feel in a player's hand.

The ebony fingerboard has white binding and distinctive "Arrow head" inlays. It carries 24 EXJ-NS frets and has a 648 mm scale length, equivalent to the commonly used 25.5-inch scale class. The nut width is 42 mm, with an R2 locking nut. Together, those figures provide practical reference points for players comparing neck dimensions and scale length. The listing does not provide fret size measurements, fingerboard radius, or neck thickness at specific positions.

Pickup and controls

The guitar is fitted with one EMG HZ-FH2 humbucker, identified in the broader specification as an H-type pickup. The listing marks the pickups as non-active. That is an important distinction: the model should not be confused with a configuration using active pickups simply because it carries an EMG-branded pickup. No pickup output figures, magnet details, or frequency response information are provided, so claims about its exact sound would go beyond the available facts.

Control hardware is deliberately limited in the listed specification. It includes a volume control and an MM-04 input/output switch. The supplied details do not explain the switch's operating modes or describe additional tone controls. Buyers who need a specific switching layout should confirm its function with ESP or a retailer before purchasing.

Bridge and tuning hardware

A Floyd Rose-style tremolo bridge is paired with a locking nut. This setup uses locking hardware at both the bridge and nut, a combination commonly selected for guitars intended to use a floating tremolo system. The precise bridge version, setup range, and factory adjustments are not specified, so the listing alone cannot establish how the instrument will respond to a particular player's technique or tuning preferences.

The machine heads are Gotoh SG360-07 units. Their inclusion identifies the tuner model, although the provided information does not state a gear ratio or finish. Taken as a whole, the hardware specification is clear about the tremolo type, locking nut, and tuner model while leaving smaller setup details open.

What comes with the guitar

The package includes a case, a certificate, and an exclusive serial number. A gig bag is not included. The instrument's item number is 648136, and the listed sales unit is one piece. The price supplied is 12290, but no currency is identified, so it should not be interpreted as a specific market price without checking the seller's listing.

Who should consider it

The Alexi Arrow Head Legacy is a specialized choice for players looking for Alexi Laiho's signature model, a V-style body, a neck-through maple construction, and a single humbucker paired with a Floyd Rose-style bridge. Its specification is unusually specific about the neck, fingerboard, nut, pickup, and tuner models. At the same time, buyers should verify the switch function, bridge version, setup, and local price where those details matter.

There are no customer reviews available for this product, and no firsthand test results were supplied. The most dependable assessment is therefore its documented feature set: a Japanese-made, 24-fret signature guitar with an alder body, ebony fingerboard, locking hardware, and an included case. Whether its dimensions and controls suit a particular player can only be settled by checking the instrument directly or confirming the remaining details with the seller.

ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy, front view
7.3/ 10 overall score
$12,290current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

Shipping and duties

The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.

Scores by area

Where it shines, where it stumbles

What convinced me

  • Made in Japan, with a three-piece maple neck-through-body construction and an alder body.
  • Floyd Rose tremolo, locking nut, and Gotoh tuning machines provide a fully specified hardware setup.
  • Includes a case, certificate, and exclusive serial number.

What bugged me

  • The V-shaped body and 648 mm scale may not suit every player or playing position.
  • The single EMG HZ-FH2 humbucker and single volume control offer a limited control layout.

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

Best for players seeking Alexi Laiho's signature V-shaped design, a neck-through-body build, and a Floyd Rose tremolo. A strong fit for musicians who prefer a single-humbucker setup.

Look elsewhere if

Not ideal for players who want multiple pickups, extensive switching, or a broad range of built-in tonal options. The V-shaped body may also be unsuitable for those who prefer a conventional body shape.
MetalHard rock

Suggested level: Intermediate

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Specifications

Shape
V-Style
Color
Black, Yellow
Body
Alder
Top
None
Neck
Maple
Frets
24
Scale
648 mm
Pickups
H
Active pickups
No
Tremolo
FR-Style
Including case
Yes
Incl. bag
No
Artist
Alexi Laiho
Style
V-Style

Up close

ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy, detail 2ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy, detail 3ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy, detail 4ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy, detail 5

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What pickup configuration does this guitar have?

It has one EMG HZ-FH2 humbucker, with a single volume control.

Does it include a case?

Yes. A case and certificate are included, along with an exclusive serial number.

What kind of tremolo and nut does it use?

It has a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge and a locking nut.

What are the neck and fingerboard specifications?

The three-piece maple neck runs through the alder body. It has a thin U profile and an ebony fingerboard with white binding and arrowhead inlays.

Is this a versatile guitar for many musical styles?

Its single humbucker and simple control layout make it more focused than a guitar with multiple pickups and switching options.

The last word from the bench

This signature model is built around a clear set of priorities: a V-shaped body, a thin U-shaped neck, 24 frets, and a single humbucker. The maple neck-through-body construction, ebony fingerboard, locking nut, and Floyd Rose bridge give it a substantial hardware package. The included case and certificate add useful extras, but the single pickup and control limit tonal options. It is best suited to players specifically seeking this design and setup.

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ESP Alexi Arrow Head Legacy

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