ESP

ESP was founded in 1975 by Hisatake Shibuya, who ran a Tokyo shop selling replacement guitar parts; the initials stand for Electric Sound Products. The company moved from parts into complete instruments, with the ESP and Navigator lines in 1976, mostly sold in Japan.

ESP entered the United States in 1983, first in New York and then in Los Angeles. Its custom work for players such as George Lynch led to the company's first signature series in 1989, and by the late 1980s Metallica's Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield were endorsing its instruments. The more affordable LTD line was created in 1996 so more players could get ESP designs.

ESP guitars suit heavy music in particular, with an emphasis on fast necks, active pickups and sharp body shapes. Guitar Radar follows ESP's Custom Shop and LTD releases and its artist signature models.