ESP LTD TE-200DX Purple Burst Electric guitar

ESP LTD TE-200DX Purple Burst — T-Style Looks, Humbucker Muscle

The ESP LTD TE-200DX Purple Burst reimagines the classic TE single-cutaway shape for players who want thicker humbucker tones and modern metal capability without abandoning vintage TE aesthetics. Designed as part of LTD's accessible 200DX series, this guitar pairs a lightweight poplar body with a burled poplar top finished in transparent Purple Burst gloss, then anchors it with a roasted maple neck and hardtail string-through bridge.

What Sets the TE-200DX Apart in the LTD Range

Two features push this model beyond a basic TE-style build. A roasted maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard and 24 extra-jumbo frets gives players a fast, smooth surface for bends and lead runs. The push-pull coil-split on the tone knob unlocks authentic single-coil voices from the LH-150 humbuckers, covering glassy cleans, fat humbucker crunch, and percussive modern metal chug from the same instrument.

Body Construction and Finish — Lightweight Poplar With a Burled Top

The poplar body keeps the instrument light on the shoulder at approximately 3.45 kg, while the burled poplar top adds a unique grain pattern under the transparent Purple Burst gloss finish. Black body binding and black chrome hardware complete the modern stage-ready aesthetic.

• Body material is poplar, which is light and resonant for fatigue-free playing.
• Top Material: Burled Poplar — distinctive figured grain under the Purple Burst gloss
• Finish: Gloss Purple Burst — transparent gloss that highlights the burl pattern

Neck and Fingerboard — Roasted Maple With a Fast Thin U Profile

The bolt-on roasted maple neck is the main playability feature of this instrument. Roasting stabilizes the wood against humidity and temperature changes, while the Thin U contour sits comfortably in the hand for both rhythm chording and lead playing. The rosewood fingerboard's 350 mm radius flatters modern bending techniques.

• Neck Material: Roasted Maple — enhanced stability and a smooth, broken-in feel
• Neck Contour: Thin U — fast profile suited to lead and rhythm work
• Fingerboard Radius: 350 mm — modern flat radius for low-action bending
• Scale Length: 648 mm — long-scale tension for tight low-end and articulate leads
• Frets: 24 Extra-Jumbo — full upper-register access and easy string bending
• Nut Width: 42 mm — comfortable for chord work and single-note runs

Electronics and Hardware — LH-150 Humbuckers With Coil-Split Flexibility

Two ESP-designed LH-150 humbuckers — an LH-150N in the neck and an LH-150B in the bridge — drive the voice of the YRS-23 through a 3-way toggle, master volume, and master tone with a push-pull coil split. The hardtail string-through bridge transfers string energy directly into the body for improved sustain.

• HH configuration provides dual humbuckers ranging from clean jazz to high-gain metal.
• Neck Pickup: ESP LH-150N — warm, articulate voice for rhythm and clean leads
• Bridge Pickup: ESP LH-150B — punchy, output-rich pickup for rock and metal riffs
• Bridge: LTD Fixed Hardtail with String-Thru — maximizes sustain and tuning stability

Who Should Play the ESP LTD TE-200DX Purple Burst

This model is the right choice for intermediate and advancing guitarists who want TE-style looks and feel with the tonal range to cover rock, blues, hard rock, and modern metal in a single instrument. Players who already own a Telecaster-style guitar but want thicker humbucker tones will find the LH-150 pickups and push-pull coil split especially useful. It also suits gigging musicians who need a lightweight, reliable guitar that holds its tuning across long sets.

ESP and LTD — A Heritage of Metal-Oriented Guitar Design

ESP has built its reputation in Tokyo since 1975, supplying signature models for metal and rock players. The LTD line extends that metal-focused design philosophy to a wider price range, with the 200DX series offering roasted maple necks, burled tops, and coil-split electronics once reserved for higher-tier instruments.