ESP LTD TH-400 CM

ESP LTD TH-400 CM review

The ESP LTD TH-400 CM is a fixed-bridge, dual-humbucker electric guitar with a mahogany body and a Charcoal Metallic finish. Its feature set is clearly aimed at players looking for a direct, high-output setup: an EMG 85 at the neck, an EMG 81 at the bridge, a three-way switch, and simple volume and tone controls. The listed price is 849, and the model has been available since May 2026.

The supplied owner feedback comes from a player who already owned an ESP TE-200 and chose the TH-400 CM as another guitar in the same general family. That player praised the feel, the EMG pickups, and the overall value, describing the sound as a strong fit for metal. This is useful real-world context, though it is one player's account rather than a controlled comparison or a measurement of the guitar's sound.

Construction and neck feel

The body is mahogany, with no separate top listed. The three-piece neck is roasted maple and uses a bolt-on construction. Its Thin U profile, 42 mm nut width, and 350 mm fingerboard radius define the main points of contact for the fretting hand. The fingerboard is rosewood, and the guitar has 24 extra-jumbo frets.

The 648 mm scale is the familiar 25.5-inch length. That gives the TH-400 CM the standard long-scale feel associated with many electric guitars, rather than the shorter string length found on short-scale models. The owner report calls the playability excellent, but there is no setup measurement or detailed account of fretwork in the supplied feedback. Players should try the neck shape and radius in person if those dimensions are especially important to them.

The charcoal metallic finish gives the guitar a subdued, dark appearance, complemented by black hardware. No top wood or decorative top layer is specified, so the finish and the body material are the defining visual and construction details provided here.

EMG pickups and controls

The pickup arrangement pairs an EMG 85 Black in the neck position with an EMG 81 Black at the bridge. A three-way selector lets the player switch between the neck pickup, bridge pickup, and their combined position. Volume and tone controls keep the control layout straightforward, with no additional switching options listed.

The player who supplied feedback was especially enthusiastic about the 81 and 85 combination, calling it an ideal match and praising the guitar for metal. That response is consistent with the TH-400 CM's high-output pickup configuration, though individual results will depend on the amplifier, effects, playing style, and setup. The listed specifications do not include output measurements or detailed clean-tone impressions, so buyers seeking those specifics should audition the guitar through their own equipment.

Fixed bridge and included equipment

Instead of a tremolo, the TH-400 CM uses an LTD fixed bridge with strings routed through the body. This is a practical choice for players who do not need a vibrato arm and prefer a stationary bridge design. LTD locking machine heads are fitted at the headstock. The guitar ships with D'Addario XL110 strings in gauges.010,.013,.017,.026,.036, and.046.

A case and gig bag are both listed as not included. That is worth factoring into the purchase if the guitar will be transported regularly, since a suitable protective case or bag will be an additional expense. The sales unit is one guitar, and the item number is 634853.

Verdict

The ESP LTD TH-400 CM has a focused specification: mahogany construction, a roasted maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24 frets, EMG 81 and 85 pickups, and a fixed bridge. The controls stay simple, while the long-scale design and Thin U neck profile give players clear dimensions to assess before buying. The owner feedback is strongly positive, particularly about playability, the pickup setup, appearance, and perceived value at the listed price of 849.

Its main limitations are equally clear from the supplied details. There is no tremolo, and neither a case nor a bag is included. There is also no owner feedback here on clean tones, weight, or long-term reliability. For a player who wants a fixed-bridge guitar with active EMG humbuckers and a metal-oriented setup, the TH-400 CM looks like a compelling option. Players who need a tremolo system or included protection should account for those requirements before choosing it.