ESP’s Most Underrated Baritone | LTD 207B DX
As a lifelong metal guitarist, I LOVED ESP’s Black Metal 2026 release that featured a variety of baritones and 7 string guitars! The only issue I have with them is that they’re a bit out of my price range. I’ve been in the market for a budget 7 string baritone from LTD for a minute now and was snooping around on Reverb, waiting for a good one to come in stock. I was specifically looking at the, now discontinued, Candy Apple Red M-17. However, I wasn’t seeing them pop up on the used market.
I was scrolling Sweetwater, as one does, and noticed something new… A “crimson red” baritone 7 string available for pre-order.
Confused, I clicked into the link to look at the specs:
Roasted Maple Neck
Rosewood Fretboard
27” Scale Length
15 3/4” radius neck
XL Jumbo Frets
Sick Reverse Headstock
Poplar Body
Red Flamed Maple Cap
Satin Finish
Solid Stock ESP pickups
Needless to say, I was sold. It was the first time I preordered a guitar!
But was it as sick as I thought it was in the listing?
…Well you’ll need to watch my Youtube video below for the details,
but the TLDR is YES! It’s awesome!
I think for the price point, ESP made the correct compromises to get the price down to about $500
(less than half the price of it’s Black Metal series counterpart)
Here’s what the Black Metal M-7 has, that the M-207B DX doesn’t:
HipShot hardtail bridge
Seymour Duncan Mortal Coils
No Tone Pot (replaced with a 3 way toggle)
Neck Through Construction
Alder Body
Ebony Fingerboard with Stainless Steel Frets
LTD branded Locking Tuners
Satin Black to Red burst finish
Dang that seems really sick… but I just can’t justify spending the money on it. (I also prefer the crimson finish of the 207B DX, as cool as the Black Metal’s burst is.)
This is kind of a goofy post/video, but I would love to see ESP/LTD promote how amazing their new DX series is! They really knocked it out of the park with this 7 string baritone!