Head to head
ESP KH-202 Black vs ESP TH-400 Charcoal Metallic
The verdict
The ESP KH-202 Black and ESP TH-400 Charcoal Metallic are closely matched overall — 80 to 81 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP KH-202 Black wins on
- Better value (83 vs 78)
- Lower price ($599 vs $899)
ESP TH-400 Charcoal Metallic wins on
- Better build (93 vs 87)
Scorecard
| Metric | KH-202 Black | TH-400 Charcoal Metallic |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 81 |
| Build | 87 | 93 |
| Playability | 81 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 83 | 78 |
Full specifications
| Spec | KH-202 Black | TH-400 Charcoal Metallic |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Basswood | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Maple | 3Pc Roasted Maple |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-301N / ESP LH-301B | EMG 85 Black / EMG 81 Black |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $599 | $899 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Special | LTD Fixed Bridge w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-301B | EMG 81 Black |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | ST-1 FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | N | N |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Bolt-On |
| Controls | Passive | Volume/Tone/3-way Switch |
| Finish | Black | Charcoal Metallic |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-301N | EMG 85 Black |
| Neck profile | Extra Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Locking | Molded |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Strap Button | Standard | Standard |
| Tuners | LTD | LTD Locking |