Detail 01
Mahogany body and mahogany neck
Thick midrange and long sustain. Denser and darker than alder or basswood, and noticeably heavier on a strap.
Product detailSKU #1290447864272
ESPLTD James Hetfield Snakebyte Electric Guitar Snow White
warmsustainaggressivehigh outputmoderncomfortable
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Hetfield signature solidbody with active humbuckers and a 3-piece mahogany neck. For metal and hard rock players who want a fixed-bridge, high-output guitar.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Downtuned rhythm playing where fixed bridge keeps tuning stable
- Loud stages where active pickups cut through without noise
- Players who want Hetfield's rig without an ESP Custom Shop price
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Whammy-bar players — the bridge is fixed, no dive bombs
- Cleaner styles where active pickups can feel compressed and stiff
- Anyone wanting a light guitar; all-mahogany body and neck carry weight
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Ebony fingerboard
Harder and slicker than rosewood. Tightens attack and adds top-end snap, which helps fast palm-muted riffs stay defined.
Detail 03
Active humbuckers
Battery-powered preamp means high, consistent output and low noise under high gain. Requires a 9V; batteries do die.
Detail 04
Fixed bridge
Tuning holds through hard picking and string bends. String changes and alternate tunings are quick. No vibrato.
Detail 05
24.75-inch scale, 22 frets
Shorter scale means slightly slacker string feel and easier bends. 22 frets, not 24, so no top two semitones.
Detail 06
Thin U neck
Flatter and slimmer than a chunky C. Suits thumb-behind-the-neck riffing more than thumb-over blues grips.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Active pickups need a 9V battery — keep a spare in your case
- 02Confirm whether a case or gig bag is included before ordering
- 03Set up for your tuning; heavy strings for drop tunings need truss and intonation work
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Do the pickups need a battery?
Yes. The pickups are active, so a 9V battery powers the onboard preamp. Unplug the cable when not playing to save battery life.
02Can I use a tremolo or whammy bar?
No. It has a fixed bridge, so there's no vibrato system and none can be added without routing the body.
03Is it good for drop tunings?
Yes. The fixed bridge and mahogany build suit downtuning. Use heavier strings and have the setup adjusted for the tension change.
04Is it heavy?
Mahogany body with a 3-piece mahogany neck makes it a substantial guitar. Try it on a strap for a long set if weight matters to you.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Pickup Configuration
- Active
5 detailsPlayability
- Orientation
- Right handed
- Number of Frets
- 22
- Number of Strings
- 6-string
- Scale Length
- 24.75
- Neck Shape
- Thin U
8 detailsBody & build
- Color
- White
- Bridge Type
- Fixed
- Fingerboard Material
- Ebony
- Body Material
- Mahogany
- Top Material
- Not
- Body Finish
- Satin
- Body Type
- Solidbody
- Neck Wood
- Mahogany 3-piece
1 detailsOther
- Configuration
- HH
