ESP LTD EC-256 Black Electric guitar

ESP LTD EC-256-BLK — Single-Cut Mahogany Electric Guitar with Coil-Split Humbuckers

The ESP LTD EC-256-BLK is a single-cutaway electric guitar in the Eclipse body style, finished in black satin over a solid mahogany body. It pairs a set-in 3-piece mahogany neck with a roasted jatoba fingerboard and 22 extra-jumbo frets, giving players the long sustain and articulate response that the EC Series is known for. The ESP LTD EC-256-BLK is designed for guitarists who want Eclipse-style looks and feel without stepping into flagship pricing.

What Sets the EC-256 Apart in the Single-Cut Category

Two details stand out on this model. First, the push-pull tone knob activates a coil-split on both LH-150 humbuckers, opening up brighter, single-coil-flavored tones without changing pickups. Second, the roasted jatoba fingerboard — an exotic hardwood treated for stability — gives the playing surface a tighter feel and a darker visual character than standard rosewood, while the multi-ply body and headstock binding echo the look of higher-tier ESP Eclipse models.

Body, Neck & Playability — Built for Sustain and Speed

The Eclipse body shape is heavier and more contoured than a typical single-cut, and the all-mahogany construction is what gives the EC-256 its thick, sustaining voice. A set-neck joint transfers vibration directly from neck to body, which is why notes ring longer and feedback responds more musically than on a bolt-on design.

• Body Material: Mahogany — dense tonewood that adds warmth, weight, and long sustain to every note
• Neck Material: 3-piece Mahogany, set-in construction — improves resonance and keeps the guitar stable through temperature and humidity changes
• Fingerboard Material: Roasted Jatoba — a dense, heat-treated hardwood that feels smooth under the fingers and resists wear
• Fingerboard Radius: 350 mm — a flatter modern radius that suits both chord work and low-action bending

Pickups & Electronics — Humbucker Power with Coil-Split Flexibility

The HH configuration runs two ESP Designed LH-150 humbuckers wired through a straightforward volume/volume/tone layout, with a 3-way toggle for pickup selection. Pulling up on the tone knob splits both pickups into a brighter, more single-coil-like voice, which is what makes the EC-256 useful well beyond hard rock.

• Pickup Configuration: HH (LH-150N neck, LH-150B bridge) — high-output humbuckers voiced for rock, metal, and aggressive clean tones
• Coil-Split: Push-pull tone knob — splits both humbuckers for brighter, cleaner, more Strat-like textures
• Electronics Layout: Volume / Volume / Tone (Push-Pull) / 3-way Toggle — independent pickup volumes plus master tone with split

Hardware, Scale & Setup — Stage-Ready Details

Gold hardware, a TOM-style bridge with separate tailpiece, and LTD-branded tuners keep the EC-256 stable on stage. The 628 mm scale length sits comfortably between shorter Gibson-style and longer Fender-style scales, giving the strings a feel that is loose enough for easy bending but tight enough for solid low-end tuning.

• Scale Length: 628 mm — a balanced scale that supports both rhythm chording and lead bending
• Nut Width: 42 mm — narrow enough for fast single-note runs and comfortable chord shapes
• Neck Profile: Thin U — a slim, fast shape that suits modern rock and metal players
• Frets: 22 XJ (extra-jumbo) — taller and wider for confident bends and long service life
• Bridge: TOM bridge with stop tailpiece — solid string anchoring for tuning stability and sustain

Who the ESP LTD EC-256-BLK Is For

The ESP LTD EC-256-BLK is the right choice for rock and metal players who want Eclipse-style looks, set-neck sustain, and humbucker punch at a mid-tier price. Intermediate players stepping up from a beginner instrument will find the Thin U neck and 22 extra-jumbo frets easy to navigate, while experienced players get a reliable workhorse for gigging and recording. The push-pull coil-split also makes it a practical fit for guitarists who cover blues, classic rock, and even cleaner rhythm styles in the same set.

ESP LTD — Bringing Eclipse Design to a Wider Audience

ESP created the LTD line to deliver the design language and build philosophy of its higher-end Eclipse and Horizon models at a more accessible price point. The EC-256 carries that brief directly: set-neck construction, all-mahogany tonewoods, ESP Designed pickups, and Eclipse body styling, all in a single package aimed at working guitarists.