Signature Axe of Darkest Hour's Mike Schleibaum
Darkest Hour's brand of hard-hitting melodic death metal demands equally hard-hitting weapons. The ESP LTD Mike Schleibaum MSV-1 — their guitarist's signature axe — is primed for heavy combat. This solidbody electric guitar features a resonant, maple-topped mahogany body carved into ESP's aggressive Arrow shape, along with a 3-piece Thin "U"-shaped mahogany neck with a smooth-playing Macassar ebony fingerboard. A brushed-chrome-covered EMG JH active humbucker serves up a bone-crushing distorted utopia, while the guitar's neck-through construction ensures long-lasting sustain and top-shelf articulation. The LTD MSV-1 boasts block fingerboard inlays and a pointed reverse headstock for a classic, stage-ready look. High-quality Grover tuners and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo complete the package. Strap the LTD MSV-1 on your shoulder, and you'll be ready to hit the stage with heavy artillery — unleashed and unafraid.
Thin "U" neck ensures excellent control, stability, and playability
The LTD MSV-1's 3-piece mahogany neck is cut to a smooth, playable Thin "U" profile. Its 13.7-inch-radius Macassar ebony fingerboard is adorned with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets — a favorite among players in heavy genres. Block fingerboard inlays and a pointed reverse headstock give this LTD a classic — and classy — look that's ready for the stage. The MSV-1 also features Grover tuners for rock-solid tuning stability.
Maximum output and clarity from EMG JH active pickup
Darkest Hour's characteristic blend of melodic death metal and metalcore demands the utmost in high-octane tone. That's why Mike Schleibaum's signature axe comes loaded with a brushed-chrome-covered EMG JH active humbucker. Designed in collaboration with Metallica's James Hetfield, the JH delivers the clarity and punch of an old-school passive humbucker, along with the fat, high-output wall of sound you'd expect from an active 81. Thanks to its oversized ceramic and steel pole pieces, the JH equips the LTD MSV-1 with a serious, pedal-to-the-metal sound that's ready to enter oblivion.
Genuine Floyd Rose locking trem for ultra-stable pitch pyrotechnics
Courtesy of its Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo, the LTD MSV-1 is tailor-made for squeals and dives. This system is materially and dimensionally identical to Floyd Rose's classic German-built trems, arming you with the same immersive, responsive playability that has made the Floyd Rose Original the industry-standard tremolo system for shred-style solidbody electric guitars.
ESP LTD Mike Schleibaum MSV-1 Features:
- Signature solidbody electric guitar of Darkest Hour's Mike Schleibaum
- Resonant, maple-topped mahogany body with aggressive Arrow shape
- 3-piece, Thin "U"-shaped mahogany neck with smooth-playing Macassar ebony fingerboard
- Brushed-chrome-covered EMG JH active humbucker dishes out screaming tone
- Neck-through construction ensures long-lasting sustain and excellent articulation
- Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo affords tuning-stable twisting, bending, and dive-bombing
- Block fingerboard inlays and a pointed reverse headstock supply a classic, stage-ready look
- High-quality Grover tuners
