The LTD Mike Schleibaum Signature Series MSV-1 is available now.

Guitarist Mike Schleibaum of the heralded heavy metal group Darkest Hour has announced his first Signature Series guitar model for ESP: The LTD MSV-1. Based on the ESP Arrow shape, the outstanding, Olympic white-finished MSV-1 offers neck-thru-body construction, a mahogany body with a maple cap, 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, block inlays, Grover tuners, a Floyd Rose 1000 bridge, and a single EMG JH (James Hetfield signature) active pickup.

Schleibaum comments, “This guitar is the personification of my 25 years of experience on the road, in the studio, and on the stage. I fell in love with the accessibility and look of the LTD Arrow design and was honored to get the chance to put my personal spin on this guitar. ESP makes the best, high quality, high responsive guitars and I’m happy to say that they have met the needs of my evolving playing perfectly. The unique combination of my personal details paired with the time tested quality of ESP guitars and the Arrow design combine in perfect harmony. I know you all will enjoy hours in the tone zone with this bad boy, and I know ANY heavy metal guitar purist will love this guitar as much as I do!”

Formed in 1995 in Washington, DC, Darkest Hour has nearly 10 full-length releases under its collective belt; the band has toured almost non-stop (until the coronavirus pandemic) and has topped the Billboard Top 200 and Heatseekers charts in their 26+ year-long career thus far with no signs of stopping. Next up is their self-released spring 2021 collection, ‘Live In Lockdown: The Complete Collection’.

Mike Schleibaum ESP LTD Signature Series MSV-1 Specifications:
Construction – Neck-Thru
Scale – 24.75”
Body – Mahogany w/ Maple Cap
Neck – 3Pc Mahogany
Fingerboard – Macassar Ebony
Fingerboard Radius – 350mm
Finish – Olympic White
Nut Width – 42mm
Nut Type – Locking
Neck Contour – Thin U
Frets/Type – 24 XJ Stainless Steel
Hardware Color – Chrome
Strap Button – Standard
Tuners – Grover
Bridge – Floyd Rose 1000
Bridge PU – EMG JH (James Hetfield) Brushed Chrome
Electronics Layout – Master Volume
Strings – D’Addario XL 120 (.009/.011/.016/.024/.032/0.42)
Case – V-Alexi Guitar Form Fit Case
Case Included – Yes

Mike Schleibaum photo by: Casandra Marie.