ESP / LTD Serial Number Formats
E + YY + digits(1985-present)Japanese ESP Custom Shop and Standard series.
E2/EII + YY + digits(2014-present)E-II series (Japanese production for export).
L + YY + MM + digits(1990s-present)LTD series, Korean production.
IW + YY + MM + digits(2000s-present)LTD series, Indonesian production.
Where to Find Your ESP / LTD Serial Number
- â–¶On the back of the headstock
Tips
- â–¶E-II replaced the ESP Standard series for non-Japanese markets in 2014.
Spotting Counterfeit ESP / LTD Guitars
ESP and E-II counterfeits target high-end models like the Eclipse, Horizon, and artist signature guitars. Since Japanese-made ESPs command premium prices, fake ESPs are a growing problem.
Pickups & Electronicsâ–¼
- ▶Genuine ESP guitars typically use EMG 81/60 or 81/85 active pickups. Check that the pickups are real EMGs — genuine ones have the EMG logo on the front and a specific battery compartment in the back.
- â–¶ESP Eclipse models should have an ebony fretboard. A rosewood fretboard on a claimed Eclipse Custom is incorrect.
- â–¶The gold ESP logo on the neck (above the nut) should be cleanly applied. Blurry, off-center, or peeling logos indicate a fake.
Build Quality & Hardwareâ–¼
- ▶Japanese ESP guitars have exceptional build quality — flawless finish, perfectly leveled frets, and tight neck joints. Any quality issues are inconsistent with genuine ESP production.
- â–¶Check the Gotoh or ESP-branded tuners. Unbranded or generic tuners on a claimed ESP are a red flag.
- â–¶The body binding (on Eclipse and similar models) should be perfectly applied with no gaps or overlaps.
Verification & Dealer Networkâ–¼
- â–¶Check ESP's authorized dealer list on espguitars.com. Buying from an authorized dealer is the safest way to ensure authenticity.
- â–¶ESP has a "Buyer Beware" page on their website with examples of counterfeit guitars. Compare any suspicious guitar against their examples.
- â–¶Contact ESP's customer service with photos and serial number for verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ESP, E-II, and LTD?â–¼
ESP Original instruments are hand-built by individual craftsmen in Tokyo at the highest tier. E-II (formerly "ESP Standard") is made in the same Tokyo facility on a production line and offers nearly identical specs at a lower price. LTD is the import line made in Korea, Indonesia, or China, covering entry to mid-range price points — the 1000-series Korean LTDs are widely regarded as the sweet spot for value.
Is my ESP guitar made in Japan or Korea?â–¼
If your serial starts with "E" followed by numbers, your guitar is Japanese-made (ESP Original or E-II). If it starts with "L," "IW," or similar import prefixes, it's an LTD made in Korea or Indonesia. Enter your serial in the decoder above for a definitive identification.
Who plays ESP guitars?â–¼
ESP is the dominant brand in professional metal guitar. Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica, George Lynch, Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom, and Wes Borland are among the most prominent ESP players. The brand's active pickup-equipped guitars have defined the modern metal sound for decades.
ESP / LTD Links & Resources
ESP / LTD Gallery
More About ESP / LTD
Electric Sound Products (ESP) was founded in Tokyo in 1975 as a repair shop and manufacturer of replacement parts for guitars. The company quickly gained a reputation among Japanese session musicians and rock players for high-quality custom work, and by the early 1980s had begun building complete custom guitars for Japan's top professionals. ESP Japan became synonymous with the highest level of Japanese guitar craftsmanship.
ESP's international profile exploded in the late 1980s and 1990s through endorsements with prominent metal and hard rock guitarists. Kirk Hammett of Metallica and James Hetfield became closely associated with the brand, as did George Lynch, Vernon Reid, and Wes Borland. ESP custom shop guitars for these artists became among the most iconic instruments in heavy music. The company opened a USA Custom Shop in Los Angeles to serve the American market directly.
To make ESP-caliber design accessible at lower price points, the LTD line was introduced in the 1990s with production in Korea and Indonesia. The E-II line (launched in 2014) represents a middle tier: Japanese-made instruments positioned below the full ESP Custom Shop but above the LTD import line. This tiered structure — USA Custom Shop, E-II Japan, and LTD import — allows ESP to serve players from entry level to professional.