ESP LTD MSV-1 BLK Mike Schleibaum

ESP LTD MSV-1 BLK Mike Schleibaum review

The ESP LTD MSV-1 BLK Mike Schleibaum is a V-style signature electric guitar associated with the Darkest Hour guitarist. Its specification combines a mahogany body and neck, a maple top, an ebony fingerboard, one active bridge humbucker, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo. The model has been available since March 2025, with a listed price of 1899. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is based only on the supplied product specifications.

One important point needs clarification before purchase: the supplied information gives two different scale lengths. The general specification lists 648 mm, while the detailed description gives 628 mm, also stated as 24.75 inches. Those measurements are not equivalent. Buyers should confirm the correct scale with ESP or the seller rather than assume one value is accurate.

Construction and neck dimensions

The body is mahogany with a maple top, finished in black. The neck is described in the detailed specifications as a three-piece mahogany neck-through-body construction. With this design, the neck extends through the body rather than being attached as a separate bolt-on part. The listing does not provide body thickness, neck thickness measurements, or the maple top's construction details, so those aspects cannot be assessed from the available information.

The ebony fingerboard carries 24 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets. Stainless steel is a specific material choice, but the supplied data does not support claims about how long these frets will last or how they will feel in use. The neck profile is Thin U, and the fingerboard radius is 350 mm. Nut width is listed at 42 mm, and the guitar uses a locking nut.

Together, those measurements give prospective players concrete points to compare with their preferred neck dimensions. The profile name alone cannot establish whether the neck will suit a particular hand, and the conflicting scale listings make it especially important to verify the instrument's actual setup and specifications.

Pickup and controls

The detailed pickup specification is one EMG JH Brushed Gold humbucker at the bridge, with active pickups identified in the general data. The control layout is limited to a master volume control. There is no listed neck pickup, pickup selector, tone control, or coil-splitting function, so none should be assumed.

A single bridge pickup and one volume control make for a straightforward signal path on paper. The provided information does not include output measurements, wiring options, battery type, or a demonstration of the pickup's sound. Its active design and bridge position are the confirmed details. Players who need multiple pickup positions or onboard tone shaping should check whether this configuration meets their requirements.

Tremolo and hardware

The guitar is fitted with a Floyd Rose 1000 gold tremolo, a locking nut, and Grover machine heads. The general specification calls the tremolo FR-style, while the detailed listing names the Floyd Rose 1000. The latter is the more specific identification in the supplied data. Golden hardware is listed throughout, matching the pickup's brushed-gold description and the black finish.

A locking nut and double-locking tremolo configuration are relevant to players considering a floating vibrato setup. However, the listing does not state whether the tremolo is set to float, how it is adjusted at the factory, or what range of pitch movement is available. It includes no setup notes, so buyers should confirm the preferred configuration with the retailer.

Included items and specification checks

• Case: Included.
• Bag: Not included.
• Strings: D'Addario XL120.
• Finish: Black.
• Product number: 608709.
• Sales unit: One piece.

The general data also identifies the shape as V-style, consistent with the model's stated design. Before ordering, confirm the scale length, since the supplied records conflict between 648 mm and 628 mm. It is also worth checking the exact case supplied and the tremolo setup, because the available details do not specify case dimensions or factory adjustment.

Who should consider it?

The ESP LTD MSV-1 BLK Mike Schleibaum is specified for players seeking a V-style guitar with neck-through construction, a single active bridge humbucker, stainless-steel frets, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo. Its single-pickup control layout is deliberately simple in the listed configuration. Buyers who prioritize a second pickup, additional tone controls, or a confirmed scale length should resolve those points before buying.

There are no customer reports to draw on, and the specifications alone cannot establish playability, tuning stability, finish quality, or sound. The most responsible conclusion is therefore limited: the listed hardware and construction are clearly identifiable, but the scale-length discrepancy needs confirmation. At the stated price of 1899, that check should be part of the purchase process.