1991 - ESP MX-250 black
- shape: respect MX-220 have more sharp points (no banana headstock), slightly longer body (bottom strap button to tip of headstock), switch moved further away from the volume pots, no step in the neck.
- construction: set neck (no step)
- neck: mahogany
- body: mahogany
- fingerboard: ebony 22 frets XJ with pearl dot inlays, 24.75" scale (628mm)
- electronics: active EMG 81 (bridge) / 81 (neck), 1 Volume, 1 Tone, Toggle 3 way selector
- hardware: Gotoh tuners, ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar, Black Hardware
- logos and serials:
-- front of headstock: "ESP Custom" light grey/gold glittered logo, bullet truss rod cover
-- back of headstock: first from 1991-1994 have NOTHING, after white "ESP Custom Guitars" circle logo
colors and other features: Black with hi gloss finish
- notes: This is the most famous model that James Hetfield use, from the "Black Album era" to today...in every live concert or studio recording...
James main stage guitar during the "Black Album" tours, and is used also at some songs (Sad But True) today.
Originally all the James MX-250 comes with EMG 81/81 but he swapped for a 60 on the neck.
Taking a different approach from the "justice era" he wanted ESP to make his explorer as black as possible so they used ebony boards, black hardware and very thick gloss black finish.
James have many copies of this guitar, the first does not have anything in the back of the headstock.
