ESP LTD Gary Holt GH-SV

ESP LTD Gary Holt GH-SV: Technical Review

The ESP LTD Gary Holt GH-SV is a V-style signature guitar associated with Gary Holt of Exodus. Its specification list centers on a mahogany body, maple top, three-piece mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, two EMG pickups, and a Floyd Rose 1000 SE tremolo. The model has been available since July 2024. The listed price is 2,090, although the supplied information does not specify a currency or market, so that figure needs local confirmation before purchase.

This is a review based only on the provided product details. No customer reviews or playing impressions are available, so conclusions here concern the listed construction and features rather than sound, comfort, tuning stability, or workmanship.

Body, neck, and dimensions

The V-style body is made from mahogany and topped with maple. The neck is also mahogany and is described as a three-piece construction, with a Thin U profile. The fingerboard is ebony, with a stated radius of 350 mm, or 13.78 inches. These are useful reference points for comparing the guitar with other instruments, but they do not establish how the neck feels in hand or how the body balances on a strap.

The scale length is 629 mm, equivalent to 24.75 inches. That is a shorter scale than the common 25.5-inch format, but the supplied data does not say how the guitar is set up at the factory beyond listing its original strings as D'Addario XL120. The nut width is 42 mm, and the neck has a locking nut. There are 22 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets. The materials and dimensions are clearly specified, though fret condition, setup, and factory action are not.

Pickups and controls

The detailed pickup listing identifies an EMG 89R Red at the neck and an EMG 81 Red at the bridge. The control layout includes two volume controls with push-pull functions and a toggle switch. Those details point to a guitar with separate volume adjustment for the two pickup positions and additional switching options through the push-pull controls. The exact switching combinations are not provided, so it would be premature to claim which coil or pickup modes are available.

There is a notable inconsistency in the supplied specifications. The general field says "HH" and marks active pickups as "No," while the detailed section names two EMG models and gives no clarification about their operating configuration. Buyers should confirm the electronics directly with ESP or the retailer rather than assume the broad field or the detailed listing resolves the discrepancy. The provided information also does not describe the guitar's output level, tonal balance, or noise performance.

Tremolo and other hardware

The tremolo is listed specifically as a Floyd Rose 1000 SE, while the summary field describes it more generally as an FR-style unit. The guitar also has a locking nut, Grover tuners, and black hardware. Together, these details identify a double-locking tremolo setup, but the specification sheet alone cannot verify tuning behavior, arm feel, or how easily the system can be adjusted. The product listing does not include details about the bridge setup or included adjustment tools.

A form-fit V-Alexi guitar case is included. No bag is included. The case is a practical part of the package for an instrument with a V-shaped body, although the supplied data does not state its interior dimensions or accessory capacity. Sales unit is listed as one piece, and the item number is 565563.

Finish and buying considerations

The color information is also inconsistent: the summary gives "Nero/Rosso," while the detailed specification says "Black." The listing does not explain whether these refer to different finishes, a naming variation, or a catalog error. Confirm the exact finish shown on the instrument before ordering. The included case and black hardware are separately identified, but neither clarifies the body's final color.

On paper, the GH-SV is a focused specification package: a mahogany-and-maple V-style build, ebony fingerboard, stainless-steel frets, EMG pickup models, and a Floyd Rose 1000 SE tremolo. Its 24.75-inch scale and 42 mm nut width provide concrete sizing information for players comparing neck dimensions. The main decision points are the unresolved pickup activity field and the conflicting finish descriptions. There is not enough supplied evidence to assess build quality or performance, so those questions should be checked in person or with the seller.