The ESP LTD MIRAGE DELUXE '87 Guitar in Metallic Gold is a flashy and high-performance instrument that blends a classic 1980s vibe with contemporary playability and features. This model is tailored for guitarists who appreciate a bold look along with versatile sound capabilities, making it suitable for a variety of musical genres, particularly rock and metal. Here’s a detailed overview of its specifications and features:

Construction and Design

• Construction: Bolt-on neck construction, characteristic for its crisp tonal attack and quick response, enhances the guitar's ability to articulate notes distinctly—ideal for complex riffs and fast solos.
• Scale: The 25.5" scale length ensures optimal string tension, facilitating a balanced feel across all strings and maintaining stable tuning under different playing conditions.
• Body Material: Constructed from alder, the body provides a balanced tonal foundation with sufficient resonance and sustain, while also being lightweight for comfortable playability.
• Neck: A 3-piece maple neck enhances the guitar’s sustain and stability, contributing to a brighter tonal quality that complements the warm characteristics of the alder body.
• Fingerboard: The Macassar ebony fingerboard, featuring a 350mm radius, offers a sleek, fast-playing surface ideal for quick finger movements and comfortable bends.

Playability

• Nut: A locking nut with a width of 43mm helps keep the strings securely in place, crucial for maintaining tuning stability, especially when utilizing the Floyd Rose tremolo for aggressive dive bombs and vibratos.
• Neck Contour: The Extra Thin U-shaped neck profile is designed for comfort and speed, facilitating effortless transitions and fast fretting across all 22 XJ stainless steel frets.

Hardware and Electronics

• Tuners: LTD tuners provide reliable tuning stability, ensuring the guitar remains in tune through vigorous playing sessions.
• Bridge: A Floyd Rose 1000 series tremolo system allows for expressive whammy bar maneuvers while maintaining precise intonation and tuning stability across all strings.
• Pickups: Equipped with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rail in the neck for dense, warm tones and a Seymour Duncan Distortion in the bridge for powerful, high-output sounds. Both pickups feature a pull tone function for coil splitting, offering versatile tonal options from sharp single-coil sounds to rich humbucker output.
• Electronics Layout: The straightforward electronics setup includes one volume and one tone control (with push/pull coil split capability) along with a 3-way switch, providing extensive control over the guitar’s diverse sound palette.

Aesthetic and Extras

• Finish: The Metallic Gold finish provides a stunning, eye-catching appearance that's complemented by gold hardware, making this guitar not only a powerhouse in terms of performance but also a visually striking instrument.
• Strings: Comes strung with D'Addario XL120 strings, known for their bright tone and excellent tuning stability, suitable for a variety of playing styles.

The ESP LTD MIRAGE DELUXE '87 Guitar in Metallic Gold is an excellent choice for guitarists looking for a versatile, high-performance instrument that combines the flamboyance of a classic design with modern functionalities. Whether used on stage, in the studio, or for personal enjoyment, this guitar is designed to impress both visually and sonically.