The ESP LTD SC-20 Stephen Carpenter Lefty Guitar in 3 Tone Burst is a high-quality signature model specifically tailored for left-handed players. This guitar is designed to meet the rigorous demands of Stephen Carpenter from Deftones, combining versatility, high-performance features, and a visually striking design. Here's a comprehensive review of its specifications and features:

Construction and Design

• Construction: Featuring neck-thru construction, this guitar offers enhanced sustain and stability, with a seamless integration between the neck and body that allows for smooth access to higher frets.
• Scale: The 25.5" scale length is standard for electric guitars, providing a good balance of playability and string tension, ideal for a variety of musical styles.
• Body Material: Constructed from alder, the body of this guitar delivers a balanced tone with excellent resonance, making it suitable for both clean and distorted sounds.
• Neck: A 3-piece maple neck contributes to the guitar’s tonal clarity and brightness, providing robust sustain and a firm feel.
• Fingerboard: Macassar ebony for the fingerboard not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also offers a smooth playing experience, with a 350mm radius that is conducive to both chording and lead playing.

Playability

• Nut: A molded nut with a width of 42mm ensures comfortable string spacing for intricate playing techniques and easy accessibility across all frets.
• Neck Contour: The Thin U-shaped neck profile is optimized for comfort and fast play, facilitating quick transitions and reducing player fatigue during extended sessions.
• Frets: Equipped with 24 XJ frets, the guitar allows for precise bending and vibrato, providing a modern feel and wide expressive range.

Hardware and Electronics

• Tuners: LTD locking tuners maintain stable tuning, crucial for performance reliability, especially in live settings.
• Bridge: A TonePros Locking TOM bridge with string-thru-body design not only enhances sustain but also ensures stable and precise intonation across all strings.
• Pickups: The guitar is equipped with a diverse set of pickups; an ESP Designed LS-120 in the neck for bright, clear tones, an ESP Designed LH-150N in the middle for warmer nuances, and a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge for high-output, driving sounds. This configuration offers a wide palette of tonal possibilities, suitable for everything from jazz to heavy metal.
• Electronics Layout: The simple yet effective control layout includes one volume knob, one tone knob, and a 5-way switch, allowing for comprehensive control over the guitar’s sound, blending the pickups in various combinations for a wide range of tones.

Aesthetic and Extras

• Finish: The 3 Tone Burst finish gives this guitar a classic and elegant look, complemented by chrome hardware which adds a touch of sophistication.
• Strings: Comes strung with D'Addario XL110 strings, known for their bright tone and excellent tuning stability.
• Case: Includes an MH guitar form-fit case for left-handed models, providing protection during transport and storage, a valuable addition for touring musicians.

The ESP LTD SC-20 Stephen Carpenter Lefty Guitar in 3 Tone Burst is an exceptional choice for left-handed guitarists looking for a versatile, reliable, and stylish instrument that can handle the demands of both studio recordings and live performances. Whether you're playing rhythm or lead, this guitar is built to deliver outstanding performance and durability.