LTD SC-608B (2010–present)
Mass-production version of Carpenter's flagship eight-string line, which brought the ESP STEF-B8 Custom Shop design to the commercial market with materials geared toward punch: a mahogany body instead of alder.
Known specifications
- Body
- Mahogany
- Construction
- Neck-thru-body, 3-piece maple
- Scale
- 27" (baritone)
- Fretboard
- Ebony, 24 frets
- Pickups
- Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (originally EMG 808)
- Bridge
- Hipshot fixed, string-thru
Historical significance
It brings Carpenter's STEF-B8 design to the mass consumer market, coinciding with the creative rebirth of Deftones captured on Diamond Eyes (2010). Two of its finishes originated as Carpenter's own stage prototypes before moving into regular production.
- •Mahogany body: punchier and more robust than the alder Custom Shop version
- •"Dorothy" and "Chiquita" started as Custom Shop prototypes before being commercialized
Tuning setup
F# / Drop E
8-string repertoireVariants and finishes
Black Gloss
Standard catalog finish.
Red Sparkle ("Dorothy")
High-gloss red sparkle. Name inspired by the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939). After fans' fascination with the stage prototype at live shows, ESP added it to the regular catalog in 2018.
- Release year (LTD)
- 2018
Yellow Neon ("Chiquita")
High-visual-impact neon yellow, inspired by the loud-colored guitars Steve Vai used in the 80s. The huge audience reception of the prototype drove its official commercialization in the 2025/2026 catalog.
- Release year (LTD)
- 2025
Rarity
Medium. The original Custom Shop (ESP STEF-B8) is rare; the LTD production version is more accessible.