ESP LTD Arrow QM Dark Brown Burst

ESP LTD Arrow QM Dark Brown Burst review

The ESP LTD Arrow QM Dark Brown Burst is a V-style electric guitar built around active Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, a Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge, and a neck-through-body maple neck. Its mahogany body and quilted maple top give the instrument a striking finish, while the hardware and pickup choices point toward players who need a guitar suited to high-gain music and expressive tremolo use.

Available since October 2024, the Arrow QM is listed at $1,699. It has a 25.5-inch scale, 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a locking nut, and Grover tuning machines. No case or gig bag is included, so buyers should account for that separately when planning a purchase or transport.

Build and playing feel

The body is mahogany with a quilted maple top, finished in Dark Brown Sunburst. In the supplied player feedback, the finish looked more impressive in person than in photographs, and the V-shaped body made a strong visual statement without feeling awkward when played standing up. That assessment is useful context for a body shape that can be less familiar than a conventional double-cutaway guitar.

The three-piece maple neck runs through the body and has an Extra Thin U profile. Its fingerboard is Macassar ebony, with a compound radius that transitions from 300 mm to 400 mm. The nut measures 42 mm across. Together with the 648 mm scale and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, these details describe a fast-playing layout with room for upper-register work. The player report says the neck felt comfortable during longer sessions and that the factory setup was close to ideal. That is one player's experience, rather than a guarantee that every example will arrive with identical setup.

Stainless steel frets are a practical feature for regular use, while the compound radius is intended to accommodate different hand positions along the neck. Players should still try the slim profile and V-style body if possible, since neck shape and body balance are personal preferences.

Pickups and controls

The Arrow QM uses a ceramic Fishman Fluence Modern humbucker in the bridge position and an alnico version in the neck position. Both are active pickups with black nickel covers. The player feedback describes their sound as punchy and clearly defined, with enough output for high-gain riffs while retaining separation for lead playing and clean passages. Those are subjective impressions, but they align with the guitar's pickup configuration and intended use.

Controls include a master volume with a push-pull function and a three-way pickup selector. The field report praises the voice switching, describing a change between an aggressive character and a tighter modern sound. The listed specification confirms the push-pull control, but does not detail the switching circuit or voice options. Buyers who need exact wiring information should verify it with ESP or a retailer before purchase.

Tremolo system and hardware

A Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge and locking nut provide the core tremolo setup. This arrangement is designed for players who use substantial pitch changes and want the tuning to remain stable when the system is properly set up. It also comes with the usual trade-off: changing tunings or string gauges can take more time than on a fixed bridge, and adjustments benefit from careful setup.

The guitar has black hardware and Grover machine heads. It ships with D'Addario EXL120 strings, according to the supplied specifications. No case or bag is listed as included. The item number is 584653, and the sales unit is one guitar.

Verdict

The ESP LTD Arrow QM Dark Brown Burst is a focused choice for players drawn to the V-style shape, active modern humbuckers, and a double-locking tremolo system. Its neck-through construction, Macassar ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, and compound radius give it a detailed specification for technical playing. The supplied feedback is especially positive about its finish, standing comfort, setup, and pickup clarity.

Its main considerations are practical ones: the Floyd Rose system asks for more setup attention than a fixed bridge, the slim neck may not suit every player, and a case or bag is not included. At $1,699, it makes the most sense for a guitarist who wants these specific features and will use the tremolo and pickup voicing options. For that player, the Arrow QM presents a distinctive, performance-oriented package with a finish that makes its shape hard to miss.