Dave Mustaine OFFICIALLY done with ESP.

[Sinistas]

I figured this was worthy of a new thread.

Originally posted on Megadeth.com:

DEC 6 2006

After two successful years, I have decided to leave ESP guitars. This was a business decision and had nothing to do with the guitars or the manufacturing of the guitars, and I wish the staff of ESP, both in the USA and in Japan and Korea the very best of health and prosperity.

Meanwhile, I am taking my Classic Metal V known formerly as a Jackson King V1 or an ESP DV8, and my new guitar design presently known as an Axxion, which was the recipient of the Gold Award from Guitar World Magazine for 2005 for new guitar designs with me.

I will also be re-introducing through my new endorsement many special models, including re-issues of my old models from over the span of my career, as well as some retro V shapes, similar to the formerly known Jackson Y2KV or a Gibson Flying V.

I will make my announcement and be attending the 2007 NAMM show to meet Megadeth fans and all metal fans, musicians of all styles-especially guitarists, and Megadeth will be performing a private invitation only party for only 300 guests and 300 vendors and music industry people.

Dave Mustaine

You know, I'm guessing he actually goes with a smaller company and has his own *line* of guitars, from the sounds of this. Kind of like the Silvertone/Paul Stanley deal, only less craptastic.

[TheUntalentedOne]

Sounds interesting . Looks like we will have roundhorn Vs

[MortenP]

This is actually a bit funny - he was praising ESP when he joined them, and after two years he's moving on

I still like his music though, I was listening to KIMB on my way to work this morning! (Kick-ass record!!)

I wish him all the best, and I'm guessing he's probably got a good deal somewhere...

[Sinistas]

Well, he's certainly not trashing them on his way out...I'm guessing he got a better deal, or something that gave him more creative control.

[adoxtater]

Hehehehehehe

[MortenP]

Well, he's certainly not trashing them on his way out...I'm guessing he got a better deal, or something that gave him more creative control.

Did he do that to Jackson when he left them? I don't remember...

[Sinistas]

Without pics of what?

[shreddermon]

Hmmm. Interesting choice of words. The "reissue" reference makes me wonder if maybe he really is returning to Jackson, after all. That would be consistent with what they've done recently on the Charvel side (EVHs, DiMartinis, etc.).

Then again, the "retro V" reference makes me think not. J/C just won't do them. Unless, of course, the heavens have parted and the FMIC legal nuts have finally seen the light of the PRS court decision? Most likely not.

Either way, he's an @sshat for implying the KV design is "his".

[skorb]

Jackson won't do roundhorn V's so it cannot be Jackson.

and as far as the FMIC legal nuts, I think it's less a "legal issue" and more an agreement btwn Fender and Gibson not to produce each other's designs. Because Dean makes roundhorn V's, and PRS is now legally able to make a singlecut guitar like a LP. so legally, there appears to be no impediment there.

on the issue of what Mustaine does now, who cares, his replacement band is a hollow reminder of how great Megadeth USED to be.

[eaeolian]

I've said this on every other forum, so I'll say it here, too - I think it's Washburn. It fits their M.O. to a tee...

[shreddermon]

and as far as the FMIC legal nuts, I think it's less a "legal issue" and more an agreement btwn Fender and Gibson not to produce each other's designs. Because Dean makes roundhorn V's, and PRS is now legally able to make a singlecut guitar like a LP. so legally, there appears to be no impediment there.

Agreed - it's probably a "gentlemen's agreement" between FMIC & Gibby. But why do you think such an agreement might exist to begin with? It's so that their respective legal eagles are free to protect (cough...sue...cough) any other guitar manufacturer for body style "copying". i.e., The gentlemen's agreement lets FMIC and Gibby keep their respective big lion's shares of the market without beating each other up over copying each other's respective designs.

In other words, "strats are us, LPs are you, & let's f**k with anyone else who tries to muscle in on those markets". "Anyone else" being every other guitar manufacturer, most of which are so small and/or less profitible that they can't handle the legal fees of a protracted court case & appeals, let alone actually try to win it on the merits.

But the PRS case has put a dangerous knife in that approach. PRS called Gibby's legal bluff, sucked up the legal fees, and has now set the legal precedent that "looks similar" doesn't mean "copy infringement". I've got to imagine that has FMIC & Gibby thinking twice about past approaches.

That doesn't necessarily mean we'll see roundhorn Vs again. But it does make things more complicated for them.

[markD]

if it IS washburn, that is a shame. i know washburn makes good guitars, but to me they are worse than ESP for ripping off designs. plus, the way they modify the designs they steal makes them ugly. compare the JJ to the washburn scott ian model, HIDEOUS and pointy. compare the dime model to the ML, close but the head was HIDEOUSLY pointy. look at the idol compared to a LP...deformed and HIDEOUS!!!

people dog ESP, but at least ESP isn't for sale at target.....

[VoiceX3]

What everyone is forgetting here is that Jackson had absolutely no intention of discontinuing the Y2KV round horn or not, they wanted to keep it. Have you ever looked at a Gibson V and the Y2KV side by side??? It's like comparing a 60's Mustang and a 60's Camaro....both nice, similar, but nowhere near the same.

The Y2KV was cancelled because Mustaine owns the rights. If he comes back, Jackson may not make it a regular sig series, but you can bet there will be small reissue runs done.

[sl2lover]

Is it me or did Megadeth start to go down the tubes when he left Jackson?

[Newc]

Dean already does roundhorns.

Ooh, ooh, I bet it's a Samick-made line

And I like how he claims the KV1 design as his

The man's ego has its own gravitational field