This guitar was one of the first ESP MX-250 models that James started using, around early 1991 while Metallica was working on the Black Album.
It featured a gloss black finish and was equipped with EMG active pickups, Gotoh tuners, and an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge with a stop bar. The distinguishing feature on this particular MX-250, compared to others James used (like the “Man to Wolf” model), was the fretboard inlay—a “snake” design matching the cover of the Black Album.
This snake design originates from the Gadsden flag, which dates back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. The original flag design also includes the words “Don’t Tread on Me” beneath the snake—a phrase that served as the title for one of the songs on the Black Album.
Even though this guitar is a MX250 it featured a MX220 body (more rounded edges)