ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson BLKS

ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson BLKS review

The ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson BLKS is a signature electric guitar built around a single bridge humbucker, a fixed bridge, and a 25.5-inch scale. Its listed specifications describe a mahogany body with an ash top, a three-piece maple neck, and a Macassar ebony fingerboard. The matte black finish and black hardware keep the appearance consistent across the instrument.

The model is listed as available since May 2026, with item number 634677 and a price of 1729. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is based only on the supplied specifications. There is no basis here for claims about its sound quality, setup out of the box, playability, or long-term reliability.

Body, neck, and fingerboard

The mahogany body and ash top define the listed body construction. ESP specifies a three-piece, set maple neck, joining the neck to the body rather than using a bolt-on connection. The neck profile is Thin U. That shape is a design specification, not a guarantee that every player will find the neck comfortable, since hand size and personal preference vary.

The Macassar ebony fingerboard has a compound radius that transitions from 300 mm to 400 mm. The supplied figures give the radius range but do not specify where along the fingerboard each measurement applies. The guitar has 24 medium-jumbo stainless-steel frets. Stainless steel is the stated fret material; the specification does not provide fret dimensions beyond the medium-jumbo designation or details about fret finishing.

The scale length is 648 mm, equivalent to 25.5 inches, and the nut width is 42 mm. These measurements provide useful reference points when comparing the MT-I with other guitars. The factory string set is D'Addario EXL110, in.010 to.046 gauges. String choice can be changed, but the supplied details do not state whether the factory setup is optimized for a particular tuning.

Pickup and controls

ESP lists one Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson humbucker in the bridge position. There is no neck pickup. This is a focused configuration, with the listed pickup and controls centered on the bridge position rather than offering a pickup selector for multiple pickup combinations.

The control layout consists of one volume control with a push-pull function and a toggle switch. The switch positions are described as Voice 1, Voice 1 with Bass Shift, and Voice 2. Pulling the volume control selects Voice 3. These are the stated operating options; the supplied information does not explain the precise electrical differences between voices or include output measurements.

With a single pickup, there are fewer pickup combinations to manage than on a multi-pickup guitar. In return, the voice selection gives the player several specified settings from the installed bridge pickup. The details do not identify a separate tone control, so none should be assumed.

Bridge, hardware, and included case

The guitar uses a Hipshot Ibby HM fixed bridge, with the strings passing through the body. There is no tremolo. This removes a moving tremolo assembly from the listed hardware, although the specifications alone do not establish tuning stability or sustain performance.

Open Hipshot Grip-Lock tuning machines are fitted, along with black hardware. The locking designation comes from the supplied product description. No gear ratio or tuning-machine weight is provided. The finish is listed as matte black, and the package includes a case. A bag is not included, which is distinct from the included case.

What the specifications establish

• Construction: Mahogany body, ash top, three-piece set maple neck, and Macassar ebony fingerboard.
• Playing dimensions: 25.5-inch scale, 42 mm nut width, 24 medium-jumbo stainless-steel frets, and a compound 300 mm to 400 mm fingerboard radius.
• Electronics: One Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson bridge humbucker, one push-pull volume control, and three voice options, including a bass-shifted setting.
• Hardware and package: Fixed Hipshot Ibby HM bridge, strings through the body, open Hipshot Grip-Lock tuners, and an included case.

The MT-I's specification sheet points to a single-pickup, fixed-bridge design with a defined set of voice options and a 25.5-inch scale. The listed construction and measurements make it possible to compare the guitar against other instruments on paper. They cannot replace a hands-on assessment, particularly for neck feel, setup, fretwork, or the character of the pickup. With no customer feedback supplied, those points remain unverified.