Cody Quistad – founding member, guitarist, and vocalist for American metalcore heavyweights Wage War – has teamed up with ESP for a new demo that dives deep into the LTD Deluxe SN-1 HT Baritone. In the video, Quistad talks about his first encounters with ESP guitars, how they’ve become a staple in his touring and studio work, and the role Metallica played in shaping his love for heavy music.
The SN-1 HT Baritone is designed for players who want the feel and stability of a performance-tuned workhorse with the tonal muscle to back it up. Its 27″ scale length keeps string tension tight even in extreme tunings, and its typical B-E-A-D-G-B setup means it’s ready for extended range exploration straight out of the box. The tilt-back reverse headstock adds both visual edge and tuning stability, while the bolt-on construction pairs a dense Swamp Ash body with a five-piece Roasted Maple/Purple Heart neck in a thin U-shape for speed and strength.
The Macassar Ebony fingerboard is built for fluid playability, with a compound radius, 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, and a scallop from frets 17–24 for effortless bends and high-register work. Mother-of-pearl dot inlays keep things clean and classic. Hardware includes chrome LTD locking tuners, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string-through design, a matte black pickguard, and a black bone nut.
Electronics are all about precision and power. A single Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker in the bridge position delivers two distinct voices, selectable via a push-pull volume knob. Voice 1 offers the ultimate high-output ceramic humbucker tone – tight, aggressive bass, crisp attack, and a cutting growl. Voice 2 shifts to an organic, passive-like response with dynamic distortion characteristics and incredible clarity.
In Quistad’s hands, the SN-1 HT Baritone proves itself as more than just a drop-tuning machine – it’s a versatile, high-performance instrument that thrives in the modern metal landscape. Whether you’re chasing glassy cleans in low registers or pummeling riffs in F, this baritone is built to take the abuse and deliver every note with authority.
Get the ESP SN-1 HT Baritone here for $1,499 and catch up with all our LTD news right here!
