ESP LTD Phoenix 7B Black Metal II

ESP LTD Phoenix 7B Black Metal II: Technical Review

The ESP LTD Phoenix 7B Black Metal II is a seven-string electric guitar built around a 686 mm (27-inch) scale, a mahogany neck-through-body construction, and an active bridge humbucker. Its listed price is $1,599. The supplied specifications describe a focused setup with one pickup, one master volume control, and a voice-selection toggle, rather than a multi-pickup layout with separate tone controls.

This assessment is based only on the available product specifications. No customer reviews or first-hand playing notes were provided, so there is no basis for claims about comfort, sound quality, tuning stability, or workmanship beyond the details stated here.

Body, Neck, and Fingerboard

The body is mahogany with a maple top, finished in Black Redburst Satin. The product data also lists the color as Nero/Rosso, which corresponds to black and red. The body shape is identified as FB-style. That designation is retained as supplied rather than expanded into a more specific shape description.

The three-piece mahogany neck runs through the body. This is a key construction detail, but the specifications alone do not establish how the guitar will sustain, resonate, or feel in use. The neck profile is Thin U, and the fingerboard is Macassar ebony with a 400 mm radius. The 48 mm molded nut width provides a useful reference for assessing the string spacing, although the actual spacing at the bridge is not listed.

The guitar has 22 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets. Stainless steel identifies the fret material, while the extra-jumbo designation describes their size category. The supplied information does not give fret dimensions or setup measurements, so it cannot support a judgment about fret height, leveling, or action.

Scale Length and Seven-String Setup

At 686 mm, the scale is longer than the familiar 648 mm scale used on many standard-tuned electric guitars. That measurement is relevant to a seven-string instrument and its lower string, but the scale length does not by itself guarantee a particular tension or tuning result. The listed string set is D'Addario XL110-7, with gauges from.010 to.059. The intended tuning is not specified, so buyers should confirm their preferred tuning and string requirements before changing gauges or ordering a setup.

The bridge is a TonePros locking Tune-O-Matic design with strings routed through the body. LTD locking machine heads are also specified. These are identifiable hardware features, but no information is supplied about adjustment range, factory setup, or the exact locking mechanism. There is no tremolo system.

Pickup and Controls

The sole pickup is a Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 7 three-voice active humbucker in the bridge position. A master volume control and a voice-selection toggle are the only listed controls. The three-voice description indicates that the pickup offers voice selection, but the specifications do not name the individual voices or explain how their output and tonal character differ. It would be inaccurate to assign specific sounds to each setting without further product information.

The active pickup system is an important practical consideration. The provided details do not identify the required battery type, battery life, or whether the instrument has any additional onboard circuitry. Those points are worth checking with ESP or the seller before purchase, especially for players who need to plan for battery access and replacements.

What the Specifications Establish

• Construction: Mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck-through-body construction, with a maple top.
• Fingerboard: Macassar ebony, a 400 mm radius, and 22 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets.
• Scale and nut: 686 mm scale length and a 48 mm molded nut.
• Electronics: One active Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 7 three-voice bridge humbucker, master volume, and voice-selection toggle.
• Hardware: Locking Tune-O-Matic bridge, strings through the body, and LTD locking machine heads.

Buying Considerations

The specifications make this a clearly defined seven-string configuration, with a long scale, a single active bridge humbucker, and no tremolo. Buyers comparing it with other models should check the neck dimensions, bridge string spacing, pickup voice descriptions, and battery requirements, since those details are not fully covered in the supplied data. The listing also states that neither a case nor a gig bag is included.

At $1,599, the Phoenix 7B Black Metal II can be evaluated on its stated materials and hardware, but specifications cannot confirm individual instrument quality or how it will suit a particular player. This review therefore makes no claims about customer satisfaction or playing feel. Its strongest verifiable points are the 27-inch scale, neck-through mahogany construction, Macassar ebony fingerboard, stainless-steel frets, and three-voice active bridge pickup.