Electric guitars

ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth

The ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth pairs a distinctive V-shaped body with a through-neck build, a bridge humbucker, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo. Its focused controls and signature design 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 LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth: What the specifications show

The ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth is a signature V-shaped electric guitar associated with Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom. Its listed price is 2049, and the specifications give May 2026 as its availability date. This assessment is based solely on the supplied product information. No customer reviews are available, so there is no basis for claims about playing feel, reliability, or sound quality.

The design is built around a black finish with white pinstripes, an alder body, and a three-piece maple neck that extends through the body. A Macassar ebony fingerboard, 24 extra-jumbo frets, a single bridge humbucker, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo define the main hardware and layout. The listed scale length is 648 mm, or 25.5 inches.

Construction and playing dimensions

The neck-through construction joins the three-piece maple neck to the body along the guitar's center, rather than attaching a separate neck with bolts. That describes the build, but the specification alone cannot establish how the instrument sustains, resonates, or feels in use. The body is alder, and no separate top is listed.

The neck has a thin U-shaped profile. Its fingerboard radius is 350 mm, and the nut measures 42 mm wide. Those measurements provide useful reference points for comparing the guitar with other instruments, although they do not substitute for trying the neck in person. Hand size, preferred neck shape, and setup can all affect comfort.

The fingerboard is identified as Macassar ebony, while the broader specification list shortens this to Macassar. It carries 24 extra-jumbo frets. The larger fret size is a concrete design choice, but the supplied information does not describe fret height, dressing, or factory setup. Buyers should check those details on the individual instrument when possible.

Pickup and controls

The electronics are deliberately simple on paper: one EMG HZ FH-2 humbucker at the bridge and one volume control. The pickup is passive, not active. There is no neck pickup or additional tone control listed, so the instrument's specified configuration centers on a single bridge position and a direct volume adjustment.

A single-pickup layout limits the number of pickup combinations compared with a guitar that has multiple pickups and a selector switch. Whether that is an advantage depends on how a player uses the instrument. The specifications do not provide output measurements, frequency response, or a sound sample, so they cannot support a reliable judgment about the pickup's tone or suitability for a particular amplifier or genre.

Tremolo, tuning hardware, and strings

The bridge is a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo, paired with Grover machine heads. The tremolo system is a defining part of the hardware package, but the provided data does not state the exact nut-locking arrangement, setup, or adjustment range. Those details matter when assessing how the system is configured and maintained, and should be confirmed with ESP or the seller.

The guitar ships with D'Addario XL120 strings in gauges.009,.011,.016,.024,.032, and.042. The listed set gives a concrete starting point for replacement strings, though changing gauges can affect setup on a tremolo-equipped instrument. The supplied specifications do not say whether the guitar is set up for a particular tuning.

Finish, included case, and buying considerations

The black finish with white pinstripes gives the Sawtooth a distinctive graphic appearance. Chrome hardware is specified, and a case is included. No gig bag is listed, which is consistent with the case being the stated carrying option. The product information does not identify the case type or describe its interior or protection level.

At a listed price of 2049, the Sawtooth's value will depend on how closely its signature design and specified hardware match a buyer's needs. Its clearest points of distinction are the V-shaped body, neck-through maple construction, single passive bridge humbucker, and Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo. The available data does not justify claims about craftsmanship, setup quality, or performance over time.

Before buying, confirm the current price, availability, and exact included accessories with the retailer. May 2026 is the stated availability date, and item number 634749 identifies the listing. For a hands-on decision, inspect the neck profile and fretwork, check the tremolo's setup, and verify that the single-pickup control layout suits your playing needs.

ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth, front view
7.2/ 10 overall score
$2,049current 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

  • Through-neck maple construction with a 24-fret Macassar ebony fingerboard
  • Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo, Grover tuning machines, and included case
  • Thin U-shaped neck, 25.5-inch scale, and a single bridge humbucker

What bugged me

  • One pickup and one volume control offer limited onboard tonal adjustment
  • The V-shaped body and locking tremolo may not suit every player or setup preference

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A strong fit for players seeking Alexi Laiho's signature V-shaped design, a bridge humbucker, and a Floyd Rose tremolo. Also suited to guitarists who prefer a 25.5-inch scale and a thin neck profile.

Look elsewhere if

Less suitable for players who need multiple pickup positions or extensive onboard tone controls. The V-shaped body and tremolo may also be a poor match for players seeking a conventional body shape or simpler hardware.
MetalRock

Suggested level: Intermediate

ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth, $2,049Check today's price →

Specifications

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

Up close

ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth, detail 2ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth, detail 3ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth, detail 4ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

Does the guitar come with a case?

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

What pickup configuration does it have?

It has one passive EMG HZ FH-2 humbucker in the bridge position, controlled by a single volume knob.

What kind of tremolo is fitted?

It comes with a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo.

What are the scale length and fret count?

The scale is 25.5 inches, or 648 mm, and the guitar has 24 extra-jumbo frets.

Is it a versatile choice for different sounds?

Its single bridge pickup and volume control provide a simpler range of onboard adjustments than guitars with multiple pickups and controls.

The last word from the bench

This signature model has a clear feature set: a 25.5-inch scale, 24 frets, one bridge humbucker, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo. The through-neck maple construction, Macassar ebony fingerboard, Grover tuning machines, and included case add practical appeal. Its single pickup and volume control limit tonal flexibility, while the V-shaped body is a specific ergonomic preference. With no customer reviews available, this assessment is based on the supplied specifications alone.

ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth, $2,049Check today's price →

Hanging next to it

ESP LTD Alexi Laiho Sawtooth

Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.

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