Head to head
ESP TH-400 Charcoal Metallic vs ESP VIPER-256 Olympic White
The verdict
The ESP TH-400 Charcoal Metallic and ESP VIPER-256 Olympic White are closely matched overall — 81 to 80 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP TH-400 Charcoal Metallic wins on
- Better build (93 vs 87)
ESP VIPER-256 Olympic White wins on
- Better value (83 vs 78)
- Lower price ($599 vs $899)
Scorecard
| Metric | TH-400 Charcoal Metallic | VIPER-256 Olympic White |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 81 | 80 |
| Build | 93 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 78 | 83 |
Full specifications
| Spec | TH-400 Charcoal Metallic | VIPER-256 Olympic White |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Roasted Maple | 3Pc Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | EMG 85 Black / EMG 81 Black | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) / ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $899 | $599 |
| Bridge | LTD Fixed Bridge w/ String Thru | TOM & Tailpiece |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 81 Black | ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) |
| Case | ST-1 FORM FIT CASE | Viper Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Case Included | N | N |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Set-Neck |
| Controls | Volume/Tone/3-way Switch | Passive |
| Finish | Charcoal Metallic | Olympic White |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black |
| Neck pickup | EMG 85 Black | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Molded | Molded |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Strap Button | Standard | Standard |
| Tuners | LTD Locking | LTD |