Description

The ESP LTD M-400HT in Charcoal Metallic is a no-nonsense, hard-hitting metal machine built for speed, precision and reliability. With its ultra-fast Extra Thin U neck, fixed string-through bridge and EMG 81/85 active pickups, it is designed to deliver tight rhythm work, searing leads and rock-solid tuning stability on stage or in the studio.

Combining a sleek, modern M Series silhouette with a stripped-back control layout and premium hardware, the M-400HT keeps you focused on playing. The bolt-on roasted maple neck and mahogany body provide a powerful, articulate core tone, while the Charcoal Metallic finish and matching headstock give it a stealthy, professional look that fits any heavy genre.

Modern Metal Workhorse

The M-400HT is purpose-built for contemporary rock and metal players who demand consistency and punch. Its mahogany body delivers a full, muscular low end with plenty of midrange cut, ideal for tight palm-muted riffs and down-tuned chugging. Paired with a hardtail bridge and string-through construction, you get excellent sustain and a focused, controlled response that sits perfectly in a mix.

Fast, Comfortable Neck

A three-piece roasted maple neck with a bolt-on construction and Extra Thin U profile makes this guitar incredibly fast and comfortable to play. The slim carve encourages effortless position shifts and complex chord shapes, while the 350 mm radius rosewood fingerboard and 24 extra-jumbo frets make big bends, legato runs and precise vibrato feel smooth and controlled. Roasting the maple also adds stability, helping the neck resist changes in temperature and humidity.

EMG Active Power

Loaded with the classic EMG 81 in the bridge and EMG 85 in the neck, the M-400HT offers the high-output, razor-sharp clarity that has defined modern metal for decades. The 81 delivers tight, aggressive attack and cutting highs for rhythm and lead work, while the 85 adds warmth and body for singing solos and articulate cleans. With a simple volume, tone and three-way switch layout, dialling in your sound is quick and intuitive.

Stage-Ready Hardware and Aesthetics

Black hardware, a matching Charcoal Metallic headstock and clean silver block inlays give the M-400HT a sleek, professional appearance. LTD locking tuners provide quick, secure string changes and help keep tuning rock solid, even under heavy playing. The LTD fixed bridge with string-through design enhances sustain and resonance, making this a dependable instrument for demanding live and studio work.

Key Features

• EMG 81/85 Active Pickups – The EMG 81 bridge and EMG 85 neck set deliver high-output, low-noise performance with exceptional clarity. Expect tight, percussive rhythm tones and fluid, singing leads that cut through dense mixes with ease.
• Extra Thin U Neck Profile – The slim Extra Thin U carve is designed for speed and comfort, making fast alternate picking, sweeping and extended chord voicings feel effortless, even during long sets or sessions.
• LTD Fixed Bridge with String-Through Body – The hardtail bridge and string-through construction provide excellent tuning stability and sustain, giving you a solid, reliable platform for heavy riffing and precise lead work.
• Mahogany Body with Roasted Maple Neck – A mahogany body delivers a rich, powerful tone with strong lows and mids, while the three-piece roasted maple neck adds stability and snap, resulting in a balanced sound that responds well to high-gain tones.

Specifications

Body

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Body Type: Solidbody
• Finish: Charcoal Metallic

Neck

• Construction: Bolt-on
• Neck Wood: 3-piece Roasted Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 350 mm
• Neck Profile: Extra Thin U
• Frets: 24 Extra Jumbo
• Nut Width: 43 mm
• Nut: Moulded
• Scale Length: 25.5″
• Inlays: Silver Block (no shadow)
• Headstock: Matching Charcoal Metallic

Hardware

• Bridge: LTD Fixed Bridge with String Thru
• Tuners: LTD Locking
• Hardware Colour: Black

Electronics

• Neck Pickup: EMG 85 (Black)
• Bridge Pickup: EMG 81 (Black)
• Pickup Type: Active Humbuckers
• Controls: Volume, Tone, 3-way Switch

Miscellaneous

• Strings: D’Addario XL110 (.010 / .013 / .017 / .026 / .036 / .046)
• Orientation: Right Handed