ESP LTD MH-400 SW EMG
The ESP LTD MH-400 SW pairs active EMG humbuckers with a Floyd Rose Special tremolo and a slim, set maple neck. Its feature set is aimed at players who want a hard-rock-ready guitar, but it comes without a case or bag.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
ESP LTD MH-400 SW EMG review
The ESP LTD MH-400 SW EMG pairs a mahogany body with a glued-in, three-piece maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, two active EMG humbuckers, and a Floyd Rose Special tremolo. Its listed price is 849. The supplied specifications do not identify a currency, so the figure should be read as the listed price rather than converted or compared with a regional retail price.
This is a specification-based assessment. No customer reviews are available, and there is no basis here for claims about playing feel, sound quality, tuning stability, or factory setup. The available details do, however, make the guitar's construction and control layout clear enough to assess what its design offers on paper.
Construction and neck dimensions
The mahogany body is matched with a maple neck made from three pieces and glued into the body. The fingerboard is rosewood, with 24 extra-jumbo frets and a 350 mm radius. The scale length is 648 mm, also listed as 25.5 inches, and the nut measures 42 mm across. ESP specifies an extra-thin U-shaped neck profile.
Together, those dimensions describe a full-scale electric guitar with a relatively narrow listed nut width and a flat fingerboard radius. The extra-thin U profile is a concrete shape specification, but it cannot establish how the neck will feel in a particular player's hands. Hand size, preferred neck shape, and setup all affect that judgment.
The 24-fret layout provides two more frets than a 22-fret design. That extends the available fret positions, although the supplied information does not state how the neck pickup is positioned relative to the fingerboard or describe access to the highest frets. The extra-jumbo fret designation gives a fret-size category, not information about fret leveling, crown shape, or setup quality.
EMG pickup configuration and controls
The pickup set consists of a black EMG85 at the neck and a black EMG81 at the bridge. Both are humbuckers, giving the guitar an HH configuration. The control list is straightforward: one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way pickup selector. The specifications do not describe coil splitting, additional switching modes, or separate controls for each pickup.
That limited control scheme is easy to understand from the listed parts, but the component names alone cannot substitute for a listening test. No audio samples or measured output figures are provided, and there is no verified description of how this specific instrument sounds through an amplifier. Buyers should treat the pickup models as identification, not as evidence of a particular tone or performance result.
Tremolo, hardware, and strings
A Floyd Rose Special tremolo is paired with Grover machine heads and black hardware. The bridge type identifies a double-locking tremolo system, but the provided data does not document its condition, setup, range of movement, or tuning performance. Those factors depend on the individual instrument and its adjustment. The presence of Grover machine heads is likewise a component specification, not a guarantee of tuning stability.
The guitar is listed with D'Addario XL120 strings in gauges.009,.011,.016,.024,.032, and.042. That set gives a useful reference for the supplied string gauges, though it does not confirm whether the guitar will ship with those strings in every market or whether they match a particular buyer's preferred setup.
Color, included items, and buying considerations
The finish is described as Snow White, while the general color entry says Pearl White. Those are the two color descriptions supplied for the same product, so shoppers should check the listing or product photographs for the exact finish presentation. The hardware is black. Neither a bag nor a case is included according to the supplied specifications, an important detail for anyone planning to transport the guitar immediately after purchase.
- Body and neck: Mahogany body, glued-in three-piece maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard.
- Playing dimensions: 648 mm scale, 42 mm nut width, 350 mm fingerboard radius, and 24 extra-jumbo frets.
- Electronics: EMG85 neck humbucker, EMG81 bridge humbucker, volume and tone controls, and a three-way switch.
- Hardware: Floyd Rose Special tremolo, Grover machine heads, and black hardware.
- Included protection: No bag or case listed.
The ESP LTD MH-400 SW EMG is defined by its full-scale dimensions, glued-in maple neck, EMG humbucker pairing, and Floyd Rose Special bridge. The specifications also leave several practical questions unanswered, including the individual instrument's setup, measured sound, and finish appearance in person. It has been available since May 2026, and its item number is 634460. A hands-on inspection or a return policy that allows a proper trial will help establish whether its neck dimensions and tremolo arrangement suit the player.
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 and set three-piece maple neck
- EMG 85 neck and EMG 81 bridge humbuckers
- Floyd Rose Special tremolo and Grover tuners
- Extra Thin U neck profile, 24 extra-jumbo frets, and a 25.5-inch scale
What bugged me
- No bag or case is included
- The active-pickup setup and locking tremolo may be less suitable for players seeking a simple, low-maintenance guitar
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A strong fit for hard rock and metal players who want active EMG humbuckers, a Floyd Rose tremolo, and a slim neck. Also worth considering for players who need 24 frets and a full 25.5-inch scale.Look elsewhere if
Less suitable for players who prefer a fixed bridge, passive electronics, or minimal setup requirements. Buyers who need a case or bag included should plan for an additional purchase.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Pearl White
- Body
- Mahogany
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 24
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Tremolo
- Floyd Rose
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- No
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Does the guitar come with a case or gig bag?
No. The listed specifications state that neither a case nor a bag is included.
Which pickups are fitted?
It has an EMG 85 humbucker at the neck and an EMG 81 humbucker at the bridge.
What kind of tremolo does it use?
It is fitted with a Floyd Rose Special tremolo.
What are the neck and scale specifications?
The guitar has a glued-in three-piece maple neck with an extra-thin U profile, a 42 mm nut width, and a 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale.
Is this a good choice for a first guitar?
It could suit a beginner who specifically wants active humbuckers and a locking tremolo, but those features add setup and maintenance demands compared with a simpler guitar.
The last word from the bench
The MH-400 SW has a focused specification built around its EMG 85 and EMG 81 pickups, Floyd Rose Special tremolo, and 24-fret neck. The extra-thin U profile and 25.5-inch scale should appeal to players who favor a slim neck and familiar full-length feel. Its active electronics and floating tremolo require more setup and upkeep than a simpler fixed-bridge guitar. At the listed price of $849, buyers should also budget for a case or bag if needed.
Hanging next to it
ESP LTD MH-400 SW EMG
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.






