Should you buy the LTD Snakebyte brand new or save up for a possible Gibson JH Signature?

[@hypermoose5794]

I’m buying this as a graduation gift when I finish college.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Treat yourself!

[@peterfredlund1903]

Nice review. Really thorough, the nut problem kinda broke my heart. I have never owned a badly made Korean LTD. :( If Gibson is making a Hetfield guitar it will be at least twice or three times the money of the LTD. But it would be cool though.

[@henkossendrijver7828]

Thanks George! I have a white LTD snake bite and love it! Like your information videos! Keep doing the good work! Cheers Henk

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Thank you, Hank! Which model year is your Snakebyte?

[@henkossendrijver7828]

@@GeorgeVGuitars Hi George No 511 March 2020!🤘making progress with my project black iron cross too cheers!

[@Swampster70]

Too hot for clean? Don't be lazy, roll back the volume like most touring guitar players would. James has some of the cleanest clean riffs out there. I have the HetSet is a few guitars, including the purple Snakebyte baritone and love them. Roll back the volume and get some tasty "nothing else matters" crystal clean tones from the little Mesa Mark V 25 on channel 1. If you be a meat head and leave the guitar volume on full then you get what you're asking from the guitar.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

I didn't like the rolled back tones.

[@ControlPointDonelson]

I just bought the 2018 satin black one used in mint condition off of reverb, it should be here in a couple days!

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Good choice 🙌🏼

[@Trootsbloxplayzthemetalfan]

I bought a white one second-hand, I really want a camo one

[@pastilance1]

I should be buying every guitar you make a review on!

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

This one is good 😳

[@nastyn81980]

I had a left handed Snakebyte for a time, but ended up selling it. It was the most resonant guitar I've ever owned and the neck felt fantastic. Ultimately, I sold it because it just wasn't the Hetfield explorer shape I associate with him. Unfortunately, I wasn't at a place in my life or career to afford the MX when it was in production sadly.

[@peako4404]

love the enter sandman and wherever i may roam mashup

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🤘🏻

[@razztastic]

You *can* play guitars with active pickups and a dead battery, but you *really* shouldn't

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Whoops

[@iduncanw]

Nice review, nice and thorough. Interesting to hear the output isn't great for real clean sound. I know I'd probably just want to smash out the heavy riffs but always nice to play clean sometimes 🤘🤘 Guess those few quality issues are probably pot luck if you end up with them. What's the body shape like comfort wise especially where you rest your picking arm?

[@17malondono]

What do you think about the LTD Vulture? Its supposed to have the same electronics as the snakebyte, do think its also this good?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@17malondono I have not tried the LTD vulture but I have played the ESP Vulture and Snakebyte aide by side and prefered the Snakebyte.

[@17malondono]

@@GeorgeVGuitars Did you prefer it because of the look and personal preference? Or does it sound worse. Is the vulture still a great guitar?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@ It is a great guitar, just was the worst feeling, sounding and quality wise out of all the Iron Cross, Snakebytes, trucksters and a couple of Kirk guitars I had at the time.

[@captaincam0730]

Was the neck of this white snakebyte satin, gloss or another ?

[@carloestrada7335]

A 1984 James Hetfield explorer signature guitar is going to cost a LOT of money.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yep

[@GearinSuper]

Yeah since Gibson released a Dave Mustaine V this year that was from the 80's. A 84' style Sig Het, yeah I'd buy one.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Lets hope so 👀

[@philsalvage]

ESP rep told me that the frets are not SS.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Maybe

[@matteoradin9405]

Just bought one, used for 900€, hope I got a good deal

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah, that is a great deal

[@ProfessorPerhaps]

Nice video homie, & aye got a question too, what would you recommend for a first explorer style guitar, outa the snakebyte, Jackson X, Dean Z, or Epiphone LE- Ghosthorse?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Out of these - definitely the Snakebyte, but it is the most expensive, twice the money of the Ghosthorse. I will review the Ghosthorse soon too but I wouldn't suggest it for a first explorer because it has a Floyd bridge.

[@ProfessorPerhaps]

@@GeorgeVGuitars appreciate the input homie, & what would be your second pic? Cuz unfortunately the snakebyte might be a lil outa my budget unless I find a deal on a used one lol, & any opinion on the Jackson X Kelly’s or the deans? I’m really love the look of some of the Kelly’s, but I’m also kinda tempted to go for the Dean since they lost that lawsuit & can’t make them anymore apparently

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@ProfessorPerhaps Edwards EX. Check them out in my reviews. Dean would be a third choice. The epiphone 1958 explorer inspired by Gibson is good too.

[@cili753]

Hi, do you know if it's possible to replace those LTD locking tuners with the Sprezel ones, like on the ESP versions? Would Sprezel fit without a need for making a new holes? Thanks

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@cili753 Of course it is possible, watch my ESP vs LTD Snakebyte video. The 2011 Snakebyte LtD has Sperzels.

[@cili753]

@@GeorgeVGuitars Yeah, watched that video. But couldn't tell if it's needed to make a brand new holes for Sprezel tuners or they would fit straight away into old holes from LTD locking tuners thou...

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@cili753 The sperzels make their own holes, the pins are under the tuner body.

[@cili753]

@@GeorgeVGuitars Oh, ok, I see. So definitely needs a new holes for Sperzels. Thanks!

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@cili753 As I said, the sperzels will make their own holes when you screw them on. You dont need to do anything or drill anything.

[@CizerKedi]

THE SHORTEST STRAAAWW!!! :3

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeeeeeah

[@jasperverbrugghe3933]

I own a esp ltd iron cros and I love it but i want a second guitar but i am fare frome a insane player and i think sommetimes do i really need a second one and a guitar that is that expensive.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Treat yourself, get another guitar! :>

[@Cthulhu_Awaken]

Re-upload?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yep, it was missing a very important photo at 4:55 and I made some improvements 👀

[@Cthulhu_Awaken]

Sorry if I reply after so much time... Anyway I would like an advice from you. Since I don't like the Snakebyte's shape much (I can't find one used where I live) and Gibson hasn't any plans for a JH signature model, I thought of buying a used Gibson Explorer (I don't know about the Epiphone version though, I'm not sure about the quality). I think I found a couple of them at about the same price of a brand new Snakebyte. Not a big fan of the pickguard but hey, the options are pretty limited, since I don't like the Extura or the Ghosthorse or other reinterpretations. I just would like to play Metallica on a classic looking Explorer. What would you advice?

[@Cthulhu_Awaken]

Sorry if I reply after so much time... Anyway I would like an advice from you. Since I don't like the Snakebyte's shape much (I can't find one used where I live either) and Gibson hasn't any plans for a JH signature model, I thought of buying a used Gibson Explorer (I don't know about the Epiphone version though, I'm not sure about the quality). I think I found a couple of them at about the same price of a brand new Snakebyte. Not a big fan of the pickguard but hey, the options are pretty limited, since I don't like the Extura or the Ghosthorse or other reinterpretations. I just would like to play Metallica on a classic looking Explorer. What would you advise?

[@IndyRockStar]

that is the cheap version. I'm looking for a review on the ESP $5700 version.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

I see that you found it 👀

[@guitaraholic83]

They are affordable, but I wouldn’t say cheap. They are made very well.

[@ArisAris-ku7np]

I have the 2011 with 81-60 and sperzel !! It’s way more good than this

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Well yeah the ebony board is better, the rest you can always swap out. They feel similar in quality with the 2011.

[@leonaudacity5313]

Still waiting for something to come from Gibson 😅

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@leonaudacity5313 Hopefully

[@DerhamPaul]

My guitar

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🤘🏻

[@colinparks619]

The 2011 ltd snakebytes were deff better

[@jesussotelo4775]

I'm curious why,because I'm looking to get one.

[@themixmusicandmore6280]

Should never buy any guitar brand new. Could get an e2 used cheaper than this new

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Depends. I would buy some limited run models new.

[@themixmusicandmore6280]

@@GeorgeVGuitars I would never buy a limited guitar

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@themixmusicandmore6280 Okaaaaay

[@TheShepster80]

That isn’t James’s Instagram. He hasn’t been on social media for a few years now. It’s a bullshit account.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

That is an old post ;)

[@TheShepster80]

@@GeorgeVGuitars No! Kirk has only been with Gibson about a year and half. It’s a fake account.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@TheShepster80 Which account are you talking about?

[@GluedBarstool]

5/2/23 🤐

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Available then? 👀

[@dominikbzk938]

i have ltd vulture . worst piece of shit ever. pretty much falls apart in your hands

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah and the ESP Vulture is not that much better... the nut came off...

[@cc771]

My man, I just purchased my first ESP guitar and it happens to be a 2022 ESP snakebyte black satin. You mention that people got tired of this guitar? I hope I did a good purchased because it cost me over 4k for it.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

If you bought it it means not everybody got tired of it. A lot of people bought the white one and the LTD versions as well, so there is still market for them. Don't worry about that if you like it. A hetfield signature ESP is always going to sell. 4k is a good price. Enjoy it 🤟🏻

[@cc771]

@@GeorgeVGuitars I will enjoy it plus an ESP is always good to have in a collection especially a Hetfield signature. Thanks for your response.✌🏼

[@DM-rc4yu]

So why did you buy it? You dropped 4k on a guitar you knew nothing about and are asking if others are tired of it.

[@cc771]

@@DM-rc4yu That's right. I did dropped 4k on a guitar that I knew nothing about the JH signature. But I do know if I was going to sell it in the future I will get back my money and plus more. ESP brand guitars are worth money and have really good resale value.

[@ecstacyy]

Bought it