North Hollywood, CA (August 7, 2012) – Long acknowledged as a leading manufacturer of custom guitars, ESP Guitars has recently established new relationships that will allow the company to produce instruments featuring classic, world-renowned horror-themed graphics. The first in a series of limited edition and fully custom models was unveiled at the Comic-Con International 2012 convention in San Diego, CA.

“This is an opportunity for ESP Guitars to go outside the typical boundaries of instrument design and marketing,” says Matt Masciandaro, ESP President. “ESP has been very successful with limited-edition guitars and basses from our Signature Series artists, and many of these instruments retain high value based on their collectibility. We’re now working with some of the biggest names in the horror/monster comic and film community, and we’re excited to explore this new territory for ESP.”

The first result of ESP’s licensing agreement with Lugosi Enterprises (run by Bela Lugosi Jr., the son of the famed horror movie actor) was shown with the debut of the LTD Bela Lugosi Dracula Guitar, a limited edition model that will be available in Fall 2012. The artwork for the guitar’s graphics was created by Kerry Gammill, publisher of Monsterverse Entertainment. In addition to the outstanding “Tales from the Grave” body graphics, the guitar features Dracula-themed inlays, and is designed for high-performance playing with an alder body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, EMG 81 active pickups, and 24 XJ frets. ESP’s new horror-themed models will be featured at the Comic-Con booth of Monsterverse, as well as at exhibits by Famous Monsters of Filmland, and Heavy Metal.

ESP also noted that more partnerships with other entities in the monster/horror film and comic genre were pending, and that additional guitars with exclusive themed graphics will be announced later this year. ESP, one of the world’s leading guitar and bass manufacturers, is already well known as the producer of guitars for Metallica guitarist (and well-known monster/horror enthusiast) Kirk Hammett, among many others.

For more information:
espguitars.com