ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Arrowhead

ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Arrowhead: Technical Review

The ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Arrowhead is a V-style signature guitar associated with Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom. Its specification centers on a three-piece maple neck running through an alder body, a single bridge humbucker, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo. The black finish with yellow pinstripes and gold-finished hardware gives it a defined visual identity, while the 24-fret layout and 25.5-inch scale provide the key dimensions for assessing its playing setup.

This review is based only on the listed product information. There are no customer reviews or hands-on measurements available here, so sound quality, tuning stability, finish consistency, and playing comfort cannot be reported as tested results.

Construction and neck dimensions

The body is made from alder, with no separate top listed. The neck is a three-piece maple neck-through-body construction, rather than a bolt-on design. That describes how the neck and body are joined, but it does not by itself establish how the guitar will sustain or feel in use. The neck profile is a thin U shape, a measurable design choice that may appeal to players who prefer a relatively slim profile. Individual comfort still depends on hand size and playing style.

The Macassar ebony fingerboard carries 24 extra-jumbo frets and has a listed radius of 350 mm. That radius is relatively flat compared with many traditional curved fingerboards, but the specifications do not provide fret height, fret material, or setup measurements. The 648 mm scale length is equivalent to 25.5 inches, and the nut width is 42 mm. Together, these figures give a useful outline of the neck without implying a particular action or string feel.

The finish is described as black with yellow pinstripes. The product listing names the hardware finish as gold. No details are provided about the finish process, body contour dimensions, or the exact placement and thickness of the pinstripes.

Pickup and controls

The Arrowhead uses one EMG HZ FH-2 humbucker in the bridge position. It is a passive pickup, not an active system, according to the supplied specifications. That distinction matters for buyers comparing it with guitars that require an onboard preamp or battery. The listing provides no output measurements, magnet type, or frequency response, so claims about its tone or output would go beyond the available information.

Control is limited to a single volume knob. There is no listed pickup selector because the guitar has only one pickup, and no tone control is specified. This is a straightforward signal path on paper, with fewer onboard controls to adjust. Whether that layout suits a player depends on how much they rely on guitar-side tone shaping during performance.

Tremolo and included accessories

A Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo is specified, alongside Grover tuning machines. The Floyd Rose unit is a locking-style tremolo design, but the supplied data does not spell out setup details, included tools, or maintenance requirements. The guitar's actual tuning behavior depends on setup and use, so it cannot be judged from the component name alone. The string set is listed as D'Addario XL120, with gauges of.009,.011,.016,.024,.032, and.042.

A case is included; a gig bag is not. That makes the case a meaningful part of the package for transport and storage, although the listing does not identify its construction or interior features. Buyers should confirm the exact case type with the seller if those details affect their purchase.

Specifications at a glance

• Body: Alder, V-style shape
• Neck: Three-piece maple, neck-through-body construction, thin U profile
• Fingerboard: Macassar ebony, 350 mm radius, 24 extra-jumbo frets
• Scale and nut: 648 mm scale, 42 mm nut width
• Pickup and control: One passive EMG HZ FH-2 bridge humbucker, volume control
• Hardware: Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo, Grover tuning machines, gold finish
• Finish and accessories: Black with yellow pinstripes, case included

Who the specifications may suit

The listed configuration will be most relevant to players looking specifically for a V-style instrument with Alexi Laiho's name attached, a single bridge humbucker, and a double-locking tremolo format. Its 25.5-inch scale, 42 mm nut, and thin U neck profile offer concrete points for comparison with a player's current guitar. The single-volume layout is also worth considering if onboard tone controls are important to your setup.

The listed price is 2058, and the product information gives May 2026 as its availability date. No currency is specified, so the price should be checked against the seller's listing. At that price, prospective buyers should verify local pricing, warranty coverage, and case details before ordering. The technical specification is detailed enough to describe the core construction and hardware, but it cannot substitute for an in-person inspection or a properly documented playing test.