Electric guitars

ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst

The ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst pairs premium construction with a versatile Seymour Duncan humbucker set and locking hardware. Its high listed price and fixed bridge make it a focused choice for players who value build quality and stable tuning over tremolo effects.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst review

The ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst is a Japanese-made custom shop electric guitar built around a mahogany body, a maple set neck, and a pair of Seymour Duncan pickups. Its specification sheet points to a fixed-bridge, dual-humbucker layout with 24 super jumbo frets and locking machine heads. The listed finish is See Thru Red Burst, while the product color field names Red Burst.

This review is based exclusively on the supplied product specifications. No customer reviews are available, so there is no basis for reporting owner impressions, long-term reliability, or subjective judgments about its sound and playability. The listed price is 7333, but no currency is specified in the product data.

Body, neck, and fretboard

The body is mahogany, topped with burl maple. These material choices establish the basic construction, but the available information does not specify body thickness, weight, chambering, or the dimensions of the figured top. The ST-style shape is paired with ESP's Horizon-II model designation, making the model and body shape distinct parts of the guitar's description.

The maple neck is set into the body. Its Extra Thin U profile and 42 mm nut width provide concrete dimensions for players comparing neck specifications, though those figures alone cannot establish how the neck will feel in hand. The scale length is 648 mm, or 25.51 inches, a long-scale measurement commonly associated with full-size electric guitars. The product also lists a 305 mm, or 12.01-inch, fingerboard radius.

The ebony fingerboard carries 24 super jumbo frets. ESP does not specify fret wire material or exact fret dimensions, so those details cannot be assessed here. The high fret count offers a two-octave layout across the strings, while the supplied data does not identify fretboard inlays or side-dot details.

Pickups and controls

The pickup arrangement is HH, with a Seymour Duncan TB-4 humbucker at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan SH-1 humbucker at the neck. The model names identify the installed pickups, but the specification sheet does not provide output measurements, magnet details, coil wiring options, or individual pickup switching. It would be speculative to assign a specific tonal character beyond what the pickup types and positions establish.

Controls consist of one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way toggle switch. That is a straightforward control layout for selecting the bridge pickup, neck pickup, or their combined position. No coil-splitting or additional switching function is listed, so buyers should not assume those options are included.

Bridge and tuning hardware

The guitar uses a TonePros T3BT bridge and Gotoh Magnum Locking machine heads. The bridge is a fixed design, consistent with the specification stating that there is no tremolo. That keeps the hardware configuration focused on a non-tremolo setup, but the listing does not describe the bridge's adjustment range or the supplied string gauge.

Locking machine heads are specified, along with black chrome hardware. These are identifiable hardware choices, rather than evidence of a particular tuning stability result. Setup, string condition, playing style, and maintenance can all affect tuning behavior, and no performance testing data is provided.

Finish, included case, and availability

The finish is described as See Thru Red Burst in the detailed specifications and Red Burst in the summary fields. The product information does not provide finish construction, gloss level, or a description of how the burst pattern varies across individual instruments. An included case is confirmed. A bag is not included, and the product is not listed as a limited run.

The listed availability date is June 2026. The item number is 648200, and the sales unit is one piece. The instrument is identified as a custom shop model made in Japan. Those details help distinguish this specific listing, though they do not by themselves document production volume, inspection procedures, or the exact custom shop options applied to the guitar.

Specification-based assessment

On paper, the ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst combines a set maple neck, ebony fingerboard, long scale, 24 super jumbo frets, two named Seymour Duncan humbuckers, a fixed TonePros bridge, and locking Gotoh tuners. Its materials and component choices are clearly documented, as are the scale, nut width, and fingerboard radius. Important buyer considerations remain unspecified, including weight, setup, string gauge, pickup wiring options, and detailed finish characteristics.

There are no customer reviews available for this product, and the supplied information contains no independent sound or playability tests. The most reliable evaluation is therefore a factual one: this is a Japanese-made Horizon-II custom shop guitar with a dual-humbucker configuration, no tremolo, and a case included. Prospective buyers should confirm the current price and any unlisted configuration details with the seller before ordering.

ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst, front view
8.3/ 10 overall score
$7,333current 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

  • Mahogany body with a burled maple top and ebony fingerboard
  • Seymour Duncan TB-4 bridge and SH-1 neck pickups with a three-way switch
  • Maple set neck, 24 super jumbo frets, and an extra-thin U profile
  • TonePros bridge, Gotoh locking tuners, and included case

What bugged me

  • No tremolo, which limits vibrato options
  • The listed price is high, and no customer reviews are available to assess ownership experience

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A strong fit for players seeking a Japan-made, fixed-bridge guitar with premium materials and locking tuners. Its humbucker setup and streamlined controls suit players who want a practical range of electric guitar tones.

Look elsewhere if

Not a good match for players who require a tremolo for vibrato effects. Buyers who need customer reviews to judge real-world reliability may also prefer a model with an established review history.
RockMetalHard rock

Suggested level: Intermediate

ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst, $7,333Check today's price →

Specifications

Color
Red Burst
Body
Mahogany
Top
Burled Maple
Neck
Maple
Fretboard
Ebony
Frets
24
Scale
648 mm
Pickups
HH
Tremolo
None
Incl. bag
No
Including case
Yes
Limited run
None
Model
Horizon-II
Shape
ST-Style

Up close

ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst, detail 2ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst, detail 3ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst, detail 4ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

Does the guitar include a case?

Yes. A case is included; a bag is not listed as included.

Does it have a tremolo?

No. The specifications state that it has no tremolo and list a TonePros T3BT bridge.

Which pickups are installed?

It has a Seymour Duncan TB-4 at the bridge and an SH-1 at the neck, controlled by a three-way toggle switch.

What is the scale length?

The scale length is 648 mm, or 25.51 inches.

Is there customer feedback to consult?

No customer reviews were provided for this product, so there is no review history to summarize.

The last word from the bench

This Japan-made Custom Shop model combines a mahogany body, burled maple top, maple set neck, and ebony fingerboard. The TB-4 and SH-1 pickups, three-way switch, and standard volume and tone controls provide a straightforward range of humbucker sounds. Locking tuners and a TonePros bridge support tuning stability, while the absence of a tremolo keeps the setup simple. At the listed price, buyers should weigh those features against the lack of customer reviews.

ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst, $7,333Check today's price →

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ESP Horizon NT CTM ST Red Burst

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