Electric guitars

ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON

The ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON pairs a versatile Seymour Duncan HSS pickup layout with a Floyd Rose Original tremolo and premium appointments. Its specifications suit players seeking a high-performance, U.S.-made guitar, though the price and floating tremolo setup will not fit every buyer.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON review

The ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON is a U.S.-made electric guitar listed as available since September 2025, with an item number of 625403 and a stated price of 4999. The product information identifies its model as M-II in one field and gives the product name as M-III. That discrepancy is worth checking with the seller before purchase, since the supplied specifications do not explain whether it reflects a naming change or a catalog error.

The listed construction pairs a mahogany body with a quilted maple top and a maple neck. An ebony fingerboard completes the main wood specification. The Blood Moon finish and black hardware give the instrument a defined visual scheme, though the available information does not describe the finish process or provide further details about the top's appearance. A hard case is included. No gig bag is listed.

Neck, scale, and playing geometry

The maple neck is attached with a bolt-on construction and has an extra-thin U profile. ESP specifies a 648 mm scale, equivalent to 25.5 inches, and a 42 mm nut width. The fingerboard radius is 305 mm, or 12.01 inches. These measurements provide useful reference points for comparing the guitar with other instruments, but they do not establish how any individual player will find the neck in hand.

The ebony fingerboard carries 24 Super Jumbo frets. The listing does not specify fret material, fretboard edge treatment, neck finish, or the setup at the factory. Those details can affect the practical feel and maintenance requirements, so buyers who care about them should request confirmation rather than infer them from the model name.

Pickups and controls

The guitar uses an HSS pickup layout. At the bridge is a Seymour Duncan '59 Custom Hybrid humbucker, while the neck and middle positions each use a Seymour Duncan Classic Stack single-coil pickup. This combination gives the instrument a humbucker at the bridge and single-coil-style pickups in the other two positions. The specification alone does not establish output level, noise performance, or how the pickups will sound through a particular amplifier.

Controls consist of one volume knob, one tone knob, and a five-way selector switch. That is a relatively direct control layout, with the switch providing access to the available pickup selections. The supplied details do not include a wiring diagram or clarify whether the selector engages coils in any special configuration. Buyers looking for specific split-coil or switching options should verify the wiring with ESP or the retailer.

Floyd Rose tremolo and hardware

A Floyd Rose Original tremolo is specified, alongside an R3 nut and black hardware. This is a locking tremolo system, so its presence is a central part of the guitar's setup and maintenance considerations. String changes, tuning adjustments, and changes in string gauge may require attention to the bridge balance and locking hardware. The listing does not state the factory string gauge or detail any setup adjustments included with purchase.

The tremolo may suit players who want a bridge designed for pitch movement, but the specification does not guarantee a particular level of tuning stability under every playing or setup condition. The exact bridge configuration and included accessories are not described beyond the Floyd Rose Original designation and the included hard case.

What the specifications establish

  • Construction: Mahogany body, quilted maple top, and bolt-on maple neck.
  • Fingerboard: Ebony with a 305 mm radius and 24 Super Jumbo frets.
  • Scale and nut: 648 mm scale and 42 mm nut width.
  • Electronics: One bridge humbucker, two single-coil pickups, one volume control, one tone control, and a five-way switch.
  • Bridge: Floyd Rose Original tremolo with an R3 nut.
  • Included case: Hard case included; no bag listed.

Assessment

On paper, the ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON combines a familiar 25.5-inch scale and bolt-on maple neck with an ebony fingerboard, a three-pickup HSS arrangement, and a Floyd Rose Original tremolo. The listed wood choices and hardware are specific enough to support a meaningful comparison with other guitars in this category. The most important points to confirm are the M-III versus M-II model naming, the exact pickup switching, and the setup delivered by the seller.

No customer reviews are available for this product, so there is no user feedback to cite about workmanship, comfort, sound, or reliability. This assessment is based only on the supplied specifications. The stated price is 4999, with no currency identified in the product data.

ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON, front view
8.7/ 10 overall score
$4,999current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

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 with a quilted maple top and ebony fingerboard
  • Seymour Duncan humbucker and two stacked single-coil pickups offer five selectable configurations
  • Floyd Rose Original tremolo, 24 frets, and an included case

What bugged me

  • No gig bag is included; the case is the supplied protection
  • The Floyd Rose system may require more setup and string changes than a fixed bridge

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A strong fit for players who want a versatile HSS guitar, a locking tremolo for pitch effects, and premium materials. Also suited to experienced players who are comfortable with floating-tremolo setup and upkeep.

Look elsewhere if

Less suitable for buyers who prefer a fixed bridge or want a simpler setup and string-changing routine. Those seeking a lower-cost instrument or a gig bag rather than a case should look elsewhere.
RockMetalFunk

Suggested level: Intermediate

ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON, $4,999Check today's price →

Specifications

Color
Blood Moon
Body
Mahogany
Top
Quilted Maple
Neck
Maple
Fretboard
Ebony
Frets
24
Scale
648 mm
Pickups
HSS
Tremolo
Floyd Rose
Incl. bag
No
Including case
Yes
Limited run
None
Model
M-II
Shape
ST-Style

Up close

ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON, detail 2ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON, detail 3ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON, detail 4ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON, detail 5

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What pickups does this guitar have?

It has a Seymour Duncan '59 Custom Hybrid humbucker at the bridge and two Seymour Duncan Classic Stack single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions.

Can the pickups be combined in different configurations?

Yes. The guitar has a five-way selector switch, one volume control, and one tone control for its HSS pickup layout.

What tremolo system is fitted?

It comes with a Floyd Rose Original tremolo and an R3 locking nut. A floating tremolo typically takes more care to set up than a fixed bridge.

Does it include a case?

Yes. A case is included. A separate gig bag is not.

Is there customer feedback to consult?

No customer reviews were provided for this product, so there are no review-based ratings or comments to summarize.

The last word from the bench

This guitar combines a mahogany body, quilted maple top, maple neck, and ebony fingerboard with an extra-thin U-shaped neck profile and 24 frets. Its humbucker and two stacked single-coil pickups provide a broad range of sounds through a five-way switch. The Floyd Rose Original supports expressive pitch effects but calls for careful setup and maintenance. With a case included and no customer reviews available, buyers should assess it from the specifications and their own playing needs.

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ESP M-III FR FM SD BH BLOOD MOON

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