ESP LTD MT-130, Orange

The ESP LTD MT-130 Orange is a bold and versatile electric guitar designed for players who want modern ESP styling, comfortable playability and a wide choice of usable tones at an accessible price.

Its lightweight basswood body is paired with a bolt-on maple neck, ESP’s comfortable Thin U profile and a full 24-fret fingerboard. The 25.5-inch scale provides a clear, responsive feel that works well for everything from clean chord playing and blues-inspired leads to powerful rock riffs and high-gain metal tones.

An HSH pickup configuration combines two ESP Designed LH-100 humbuckers with an LS-100M middle single coil. A five-way selector provides access to warm neck tones, bright clean sounds and powerful bridge-pickup attack, making the MT-130 a practical all-round instrument for learning, rehearsing, recording and performing.

Finished in vibrant Orange with contrasting black pickups and chrome hardware, this MT-130 delivers a standout appearance without compromising versatility.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	ESP LTD
Model	MT-130
Finish	Orange
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
Bridge	Tremolo
Main Appeal	Modern playability with highly versatile pickup selection
Best For	Rock, metal, blues, indie, alternative, pop and general-purpose playing
Skill Level	Beginner, intermediate and advanced

Condition Overview

Brand New Condition

This ESP LTD MT-130 Orange 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 that its electronics, hardware and general playability meet our standards.

What’s Included?

• ESP LTD MT-130 Orange electric guitar

• No case or gig bag is included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Before dispatch, our team checks the guitar’s three pickups, 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 guitar 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 string height, string gauge and tuning.

Why Choose the ESP LTD MT-130?

Versatile HSH Pickup Configuration

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

The two humbuckers provide the fuller output required for rock, hard rock and metal, while the middle pickup adds a brighter and more open response for clean rhythm playing, blues, indie and alternative sounds.

This makes the MT-130 a particularly useful option for players who are still discovering their preferred style or need one guitar to cover several different genres.

Fast, Comfortable Thin U Neck

ESP’s Thin U neck profile offers a streamlined playing 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 newer players while remaining fast enough for more experienced guitarists.

Full Two-Octave Fingerboard

The MT-130 has 24 extra-jumbo frets, giving players a full two-octave range on every string.

This provides access to higher notes than a traditional 21- or 22-fret guitar and makes the MT-130 suitable for modern lead playing, tapping and extended soloing.

The larger fret size also supports smooth bends and a relatively light fretting touch.

Lightweight Basswood Body

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

Its manageable weight helps keep the MT-130 comfortable during lessons, rehearsals and longer performances. The balanced character of the wood also allows each pickup position to retain its own distinct sound.

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

• Expressive note movement

It also provides individual adjustment for string height and intonation during setup.

Bold Orange Finish

The vibrant Orange finish gives the MT-130 a confident, energetic appearance that stands out immediately on stage or in the rehearsal room.

Black pickups and control components provide strong visual contrast, while the chrome bridge and tuning machines add a clean finishing touch.

Neck and Playing Feel

Bolt-On Maple Neck

The maple neck is attached using traditional bolt-on construction.

This contributes to a clear, immediate attack that helps 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 sound articulate and keeps palm-muted riffs controlled when using distortion. The longer scale can also support improved string tension and definition in reduced tunings.

Engineered Hardwood Fingerboard

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

Its dark appearance contrasts neatly with the Orange body and complements the guitar’s modern visual design.

Modern 350mm Radius

The 350mm fingerboard radius creates a relatively flat playing surface.

This supports fast lead techniques, wide bends and lower action while remaining comfortable for chord and rhythm playing.

Pickup and Electronic Configuration

ESP Designed LH-100B Bridge Humbucker

The bridge-position LH-100B delivers a focused response with plenty of attack and enough output for overdriven and distorted sounds.

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 notes remain clear and controlled during fast or heavily distorted passages.

ESP Designed LS-100M Middle Single Coil

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

It works particularly well for:

• Clean rhythm guitar

• Blues-inspired playing

• Indie and alternative sounds

• Funk-style chord work

• Lower-gain overdrive

• Detailed arpeggios

The middle pickup gives the MT-130 a wider range than a conventional two-humbucker guitar.

ESP Designed LH-100N Neck Humbucker

The neck-position LH-100N 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

• Detailed arpeggios

Its full response provides a useful contrast to the sharper bridge pickup.

Five-Way Pickup Selector

The five-way blade switch offers a selection of full pickup and combined sounds.

This makes it easy to move from warm neck tones and bright clean settings to the more powerful bridge humbucker without changing guitars or adjusting an amplifier.

Straightforward Controls

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

The volume adjusts the overall output, while the tone control can soften the high frequencies for a warmer response.

This simple 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 guitar combines the power of humbuckers with the clarity of a single-coil pickup.

The bridge and neck humbuckers provide fuller tones with reduced unwanted noise, while the middle single coil introduces a brighter and more dynamic character.

This makes the MT-130 suitable for:

• Rock

• Hard rock

• Metal

• Blues

• Indie

• Alternative

• Punk

• Pop

• Clean ambient playing

• General home and studio recording

For a first electric guitar, the HSH configuration allows the player to explore several different pickup sounds before deciding which style suits them best.

Who Is It For?

Beginner Guitarists

The MT-130 is an excellent first electric guitar for players who want to explore several musical styles.

Its comfortable neck, straightforward controls and versatile pickup system provide enough flexibility to remain useful as the player develops.

Intermediate Players

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

Rock and Metal Players

The bridge humbucker provides the attack and output needed for distorted riffs, power chords and lead tones.

Blues, Indie and Alternative Players

The neck humbucker, middle single coil and combined selector positions provide warmer, brighter and more dynamic lower-gain sounds.

Lead Guitarists

The Thin U neck, flat 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 rhythm, clean and lead recording.

Experienced Players Seeking an Affordable Second Guitar

The MT-130 is also a practical rehearsal, home-recording or alternative-tuning instrument for established guitarists.

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 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 Settings

The in-between settings provide balanced tones that combine warmth, brightness and note definition.

These sounds are particularly useful for clean rhythm work, layered recordings and parts where a full humbucker would sound too heavy.

Why Choose a Tremolo-Equipped Guitar?

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

It allows players to experiment with vibrato and pitch effects while retaining familiar tuning machines and 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	Orange
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 are passive 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 power of neck and bridge humbuckers.

Compared with an SSS-Style Guitar

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

The MT-130 provides a fuller response and higher output from its humbuckers, making it more naturally suited to hard rock and metal while still 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 pickups and a tremolo bridge.

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

Compared with a Fixed-Bridge Guitar

A fixed bridge is simpler for regular tuning changes and offers a consistent platform for palm muting.

The MT-130’s tremolo bridge provides additional pitch control for expressive lead and clean effects.

Compared with a Floyd Rose-Equipped Guitar

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

The MT-130’s conventional tremolo is simpler 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 wide 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 combined positions offer brighter sounds with excellent 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 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 appropriate 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 Orange finish transparent?

No. The Orange finish is a bold solid colour rather than a transparent finish intended to reveal the body grain.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

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

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

The bold Orange finish gives this version particularly strong visual appeal. It is an excellent first electric guitar and a practical, adaptable choice for experienced players seeking an affordable 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.