CHILDREN OF BODOM's ALEXI LAIHO Gets Four New Signature Models From ESP GUITARS

CHILDREN OF BODOM's Alexi Laiho, ranked one of the world's best guitarists, has four new Signature Series models introduced at NAMM 2009 from ESP and LTD. The ESP Alexi-Blacky, ESP Alexi-Scythe, LTD Alexi-600-Blacky, and LTD Alexi-600-Scythe will be available from ESP's network of dealers and international distributors.

The ESP Alexi-Blacky and ESP Alexi-Scythe both feature a neck-thru-body design at 25.5" scale, with a light alder body and maple neck with a 24-fret ebony fingerboard. High-end hardware on the models includes Gotoh tuners, an original Floyd Rose bridge, and a single EMG HZ F-H2 pickup. An MM-04 on-off boost switch is also built into the guitar. The Blacky model incorporates a metallic black satin finish with a gloss black stripe and black pearl sawtooth fret marker inlays, while the Scythe model is a white finish with a black pinstripe, and scythe-shaped inlays.

The new LTD versions of the Alexi Laiho Signature Series models offer very similar specifications, only substituting Grover tuners and a 1000 Series Floyd Rose tremolo.

"We've been very fortunate to have a relationship with a guitarist of Alexi's caliber for the last six years," says Allen Steelgrave, ESP's director of marketing and artist relations. "As is the case with all ESP and LTD signature series models, the new guitars are based on the artist's exact specifications, and we've worked closely with Alexi to create these updated versions of his main guitar."

Laiho has worked with ESP on all of his signature model guitars since 2003.

Video footage of Alexi's new axes being displayed at this year's NAMM, along with brand new guitars from METALLICA, can be viewed below.

(Thanks: James Brinkworth)