ESP LTD MT-130, Black

The ESP LTD MT-130 Black is a versatile modern electric guitar that combines fast playability, flexible HSH electronics and distinctive ESP styling at an accessible price.

Its lightweight basswood body is paired with a bolt-on maple neck, comfortable Thin U profile and a full 24-fret fingerboard. The 25.5-inch scale provides a clear and responsive string feel that works equally well for clean chords, powerful rhythm playing and expressive lead techniques.

Two ESP Designed LH-100 humbuckers provide the output and punch required for rock and metal, while the LS-100M middle single coil adds brighter, more open sounds for blues, indie, alternative and clean rhythm playing. A five-way selector makes it easy to move between these different tonal characters.

Finished in timeless Black with contrasting chrome hardware, the MT-130 is an excellent first electric guitar, dependable rehearsal instrument or versatile second guitar for an experienced player.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	ESP LTD
Model	MT-130
Finish	Black
Instrument Type	Solid-body electric guitar
Condition	Brand New
Body Shape	Modern double cutaway
Construction	Bolt-on
Body Material	Basswood
Neck Material	Maple
Scale Length	25.5 inches
Pickup Configuration	HSH
Pickups	ESP Designed LH-100 and LS-100M
Electronics	Passive
Bridge	Tremolo
Main Appeal	Fast modern playability with wide tonal versatility
Best For	Rock, metal, blues, indie, alternative, punk and general-purpose playing
Skill Level	Beginner, intermediate and advanced

Condition Overview

Brand New Condition

This ESP LTD MT-130 Black is offered in brand new condition and has not been previously owned.

Every new instrument is inspected by the Fair Deal Music team before dispatch to ensure its electronics, hardware and general playability meet our standards.

What’s Included?

• ESP LTD MT-130 Black electric guitar

• No case or gig bag is included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Before dispatch, our team checks the guitar’s three pickups, master volume and tone controls, five-way selector, output socket, tuning machines, tremolo bridge, neck, frets and general playability.

The electronics are tested in every selector position, and the instrument is checked for stable tuning and consistent performance across the fingerboard.

Service and Setup Work Performed

The guitar receives a general inspection, tuning check and playability assessment before leaving Fair Deal Music.

Individual setup preferences vary according to playing style, preferred action, string gauge and tuning.

Why Choose the ESP LTD MT-130?

Highly Versatile HSH Pickup Layout

The MT-130 combines humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions with a single-coil pickup in the middle.

The humbuckers provide the fuller output and reduced noise required for rock, hard rock and metal, while the middle pickup introduces a brighter and more open sound for clean rhythm playing, blues, indie and alternative styles.

This makes the MT-130 an excellent option for players who enjoy several genres or are still discovering which electric-guitar sounds suit them best.

Comfortable Thin U Neck Profile

ESP’s Thin U neck contour provides a streamlined feel without becoming excessively narrow.

It is comfortable for:

• Open and barre chords

• Power chords

• Fast position changes

• Scale practice

• String bends and vibrato

• Rhythm and lead techniques

• Extended practice sessions

The neck is approachable for new players while remaining quick and responsive enough for more experienced guitarists.

Full 24-Fret Range

The MT-130 features 24 extra-jumbo frets, providing a full two-octave range on every string.

This gives players access to higher notes than a traditional 21- or 22-fret guitar and makes the MT-130 suitable for tapping, extended solos and modern lead techniques.

The larger fret dimensions also support smooth bends, controlled vibrato and a relatively light fretting touch.

Lightweight Basswood Body

Basswood provides a balanced tonal foundation with a strong midrange and controlled high frequencies.

Its manageable weight helps keep the guitar comfortable during lessons, practice sessions, rehearsals and performances.

The balanced response also allows the humbuckers and middle single coil to retain their individual tonal characteristics.

Responsive Tremolo Bridge

The tremolo bridge allows players to add expressive pitch movement to notes and chords.

It can be used for:

• Gentle chord shimmer

• Subtle pitch dips

• Lead-guitar vibrato

• Surf-inspired effects

• Atmospheric note movement

The bridge also provides adjustment for string height and intonation as part of the guitar’s setup.

Timeless Black Finish

The Black finish gives the MT-130 a clean, understated appearance that works naturally across rock, metal, blues, punk and alternative settings.

Black pickups and control components blend neatly into the body, while the chrome bridge and tuning machines provide a sharp visual contrast.

Neck and Playing Feel

Bolt-On Maple Neck

The maple neck is attached using bolt-on construction.

This contributes to the guitar’s clear and immediate attack, helping individual notes remain defined during clean passages, fast lead playing and distorted rhythm work.

25.5-Inch Scale Length

The full 25.5-inch scale creates a firm and responsive string feel.

This helps clean chords remain articulate and keeps palm-muted riffs controlled when using overdrive or distortion. The longer scale can also provide useful definition when playing in reduced tunings.

Engineered Hardwood Fingerboard

The engineered hardwood fingerboard provides a smooth and consistent surface across all 24 frets.

Its dark appearance complements the Black body and gives the instrument a coordinated, performance-focused look.

Modern 350mm Fingerboard Radius

The relatively flat 350mm radius supports fast lead techniques, wide bends and comfortable action while remaining practical for chord and rhythm playing.

Pickup and Electronic Configuration

ESP Designed LH-100B Bridge Humbucker

The bridge-position LH-100B delivers a focused sound with plenty of attack and enough output for driven and distorted playing.

It is particularly effective for:

• Power chords

• Palm-muted riffs

• Rock and metal rhythm playing

• Punk and alternative guitar

• Artificial harmonics

• Focused lead tones

Its position close to the bridge helps fast or heavily distorted notes remain controlled and clearly defined.

ESP Designed LS-100M Middle Single Coil

The LS-100M middle pickup provides a brighter and leaner sound than the two humbuckers.

It works particularly well for:

• Clean rhythm playing

• Blues-inspired parts

• Indie and alternative sounds

• Funk-style chord work

• Lower-gain overdrive

• Detailed arpeggios

The middle pickup gives the MT-130 a broader tonal range than a conventional dual-humbucker instrument.

ESP Designed LH-100N Neck Humbucker

The LH-100N neck pickup produces a warmer and smoother response.

It is ideal for:

• Clean chords

• Melodic lead playing

• Sustained solos

• Warm rhythm tones

• Fluid legato passages

• Blues and classic-rock sounds

• Full-bodied arpeggios

Its rounded character provides a useful contrast to the sharper bridge pickup.

Five-Way Pickup Selection

The five-way blade switch provides a wider choice of sounds than a conventional three-way dual-humbucker layout.

Players can quickly move between warm neck tones, brighter middle-pickup textures and the more powerful bridge humbucker during practice, recording or live performance.

Straightforward Volume and Tone Controls

The MT-130 uses one master volume and one master tone control.

The volume adjusts the guitar’s overall output, while the tone control can reduce high frequencies for a warmer and smoother response.

This uncomplicated layout is easy for beginners to understand and quick for experienced players to adjust during a performance.

Why Choose an HSH Electric Guitar?

An HSH electric guitar combines the power of two humbuckers with the clarity of a middle single-coil pickup.

The neck and bridge humbuckers provide fuller tones with reduced unwanted noise, while the middle pickup introduces a brighter and more open response.

This makes the MT-130 suitable for:

• Rock

• Hard rock

• Metal

• Blues

• Indie

• Alternative

• Punk

• Pop

• Clean ambient playing

• Home and studio recording

For a first electric guitar, the HSH configuration allows the player to explore several different pickup characters before settling on a preferred sound.

Who Is It For?

Beginner Guitarists

The MT-130 is an excellent first electric guitar for players who want to explore a broad range of musical styles.

Its comfortable neck, straightforward controls and versatile pickup configuration provide plenty of room for progression.

Intermediate Players

Developing musicians will appreciate the extended 24-fret range, HSH pickup system and tremolo bridge as they explore more advanced sounds and techniques.

Rock and Metal Players

The bridge humbucker supplies the attack and output required for distorted riffs, power chords and focused lead playing.

Blues, Indie and Alternative Guitarists

The neck humbucker, middle single coil and five-way selection provide warmer, brighter and more dynamic lower-gain tones.

Lead Guitarists

The Thin U neck, modern fingerboard radius and 24 extra-jumbo frets support bends, vibrato, tapping and upper-register soloing.

Recording Musicians

The five pickup positions provide several useful tonal layers for clean, rhythm and lead recording.

Experienced Players Seeking a Second Guitar

The MT-130 is also a practical choice for rehearsals, teaching, home recording or use in an alternative tuning.

Sound and Playing Character

The ESP LTD MT-130 has a clear and immediate response with a strong midrange and impressive tonal flexibility.

Bridge Pickup Sound

The LH-100B bridge humbucker provides:

• Defined rhythm attack

• Powerful distorted chords

• Clear palm-muted notes

• Strong harmonic response

• Focused lead tones

• Rock and metal sounds

Middle Pickup Sound

The LS-100M middle single coil offers:

• Bright clean tones

• Clear chord separation

• Responsive blues sounds

• Defined lower-gain overdrive

• Lighter rhythm textures

• Indie and alternative tones

Neck Pickup Sound

The LH-100N neck humbucker produces:

• Warm clean chords

• Smooth sustained leads

• Full melodic lines

• Rounded rhythm sounds

• Fluid legato tones

• Blues-influenced overdrive

Combined Pickup Sounds

The additional selector positions provide useful tonal transitions between the three pickups.

These settings are effective for clean rhythm work, layered recordings and parts where a full humbucker sound would be too powerful or dense.

Why Choose a Tremolo-Equipped Guitar?

A conventional tremolo bridge adds expressive pitch control without the additional complexity of a double-locking system.

It allows developing players to explore vibrato and pitch effects while retaining conventional tuning machines and relatively straightforward restringing.

A tremolo-equipped guitar is particularly useful for:

• Expressive lead playing

• Subtle clean effects

• Surf and alternative music

• Ambient sounds

• Adding movement to sustained chords

Changing string gauge or moving to a substantially different tuning can require the bridge and spring tension to be adjusted.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	ESP LTD
Model	MT-130
Orientation	Right-handed
Instrument Type	Solid-body electric guitar
Finish	Black
Body Shape	Modern double cutaway
Construction	Bolt-on
Scale Length	25.5 inches / approximately 648mm
Body Material	Basswood
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Profile	Thin U
Fingerboard Material	Engineered hardwood
Fingerboard Radius	350mm
Number of Frets	24
Fret Type	Extra jumbo
Nut Width	42mm
Nut Type	Moulded
Neck Pickup	ESP Designed LH-100N humbucker
Middle Pickup	ESP Designed LS-100M single coil
Bridge Pickup	ESP Designed LH-100B humbucker
Pickup Configuration	HSH
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Master volume and master tone
Pickup Selector	Five-way blade switch
Bridge	Tremolo
Tuning Machines	LTD
Hardware Colour	Chrome
Strap Buttons	Standard
Case or Gig Bag	Not included

Power Requirements

The ESP Designed pickups use passive electronics and do not require a battery or external power supply.

ESP LTD MT-130 Compared with Other Guitars

Compared with a Dual-Humbucker Guitar

A conventional dual-humbucker guitar provides powerful neck and bridge sounds but does not include a dedicated middle single coil.

The MT-130 adds brighter clean and lower-gain options while retaining the output and reduced noise of neck and bridge humbuckers.

Compared with an SSS-Style Guitar

An SSS guitar uses three single-coil pickups and is normally associated with brighter and more dynamic tones.

The MT-130 provides a fuller response and greater output from its humbuckers, making it more naturally suited to hard rock and metal while retaining useful single-coil character.

Compared with the ESP LTD EC-256

The EC-256 uses mahogany set-neck construction, a shorter scale and a fixed bridge.

The MT-130 has a lighter basswood body, bolt-on maple neck, longer scale, HSH pickup configuration and tremolo bridge.

The EC-256 offers a warmer traditional single-cut response, while the MT-130 provides a brighter and more modern playing experience.

Compared with a Fixed-Bridge Guitar

A fixed bridge makes frequent tuning changes and restringing particularly straightforward.

The MT-130’s tremolo bridge adds expressive pitch control for lead playing, clean effects and sustained chords.

Compared with a Floyd Rose-Equipped Guitar

A Floyd Rose supports more extreme pitch changes but requires more involved restringing and setup work.

The MT-130’s conventional tremolo is easier to understand and maintain, making it more approachable for beginners and developing players.

Pairs Perfectly With

The ESP LTD MT-130 works particularly well with:

• Practice and modelling amplifiers

• Rock and metal guitar amplifiers

• Overdrive and distortion pedals

• Delay and reverb effects

• Wah pedals

• Multi-effects processors

• Audio interfaces

• Headphone practice systems

• Medium guitar picks

• Universal electric-guitar cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ESP LTD MT-130 suitable for beginners?

Yes. Its comfortable neck, straightforward controls and broad choice of pickup sounds make it an excellent first electric guitar.

What does HSH mean?

HSH describes the pickup layout: a humbucker at the neck, a single coil in the middle and a humbucker at the bridge.

Is the MT-130 suitable for metal?

Yes. The bridge humbucker provides the output and definition required for rock, hard rock and metal rhythm or lead playing.

Can it produce clean sounds?

Yes. The neck humbucker provides warm clean tones, while the middle pickup and additional selector positions offer brighter sounds with clear chord definition.

Does the guitar require a battery?

No. All three pickups use passive electronics.

Does the MT-130 have 24 frets?

Yes. Its 24-fret neck provides a full two-octave range on every string.

Can the tremolo be used for dive bombs?

The bridge is best suited to conventional tremolo effects such as vibrato and pitch dips. Players who require frequent extreme dive bombs may prefer a guitar with a double-locking tremolo system.

Is the MT-130 suitable for lower tunings?

Yes. Its 25.5-inch scale can provide good definition in reduced tunings.

A heavier string gauge and suitable setup may be required when tuning substantially below standard pitch.

What is the benefit of the middle single-coil pickup?

It provides a brighter and more open response than the humbuckers, making it useful for clean rhythm, blues, indie and lower-gain sounds.

Is the Black finish transparent?

No. Black is a solid-colour finish rather than a transparent finish designed to reveal the body grain.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The ESP LTD MT-130 Black is an excellent all-round electric guitar that combines accessible pricing, comfortable modern playability and genuinely useful tonal versatility.

Its Thin U maple neck and 24 extra-jumbo frets provide a smooth platform for rhythm and lead playing, while the HSH pickup configuration covers everything from bright clean chords to powerful distorted rock and metal tones. The tremolo bridge adds further expressive potential without introducing the additional complexity of a double-locking system.

The timeless Black finish gives this version a sleek appearance suited to almost any musical setting. It is an excellent first electric guitar and a practical choice for experienced players seeking an affordable and adaptable second instrument.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Flexible finance options available, subject to status

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think. We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment.

Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available. It is an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.