LTDs popping up everywhere

[atilla]

I've noticed a lot of stuff from ESP's LTD line appearing in a lot of different places...from James Hetfield's paws in "Some Kind of Monster" to Edguy to local bands.

I always thought they were a bit pricey for a SK-made guitar. Are some of them a real deal? Which ones?

[buzzsaww]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

jason @ DCGL mentioned to me about a year or so ago that LTD was going to become ESP's main push over time. genuine ESP stuff was going to be custom shop and overseas only with very little push in the US.

[ChickenScratch]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

I see the value in the LTD line but I myself have not had a good experience with them so I'll be sticking to carvin, Dean and Jackson.

My bass player had given me his LTD 7 string and it's neck was one of the most uncomfortable things to play on. The shape hurt my hands (I have huge hands), the fret job was bad, the pickups sounded like ass and the Floyd was about as stable as a Bigsby (ok, that last part was fucked up, I'm sorry).

[buzzsaww]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

that's been my experience with LTD's chickenscratch. they are definitely in the play before you buy category of guitars. i've had a steven carpenter, an mf-207, and a kh model all were el stinko.

[atilla]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

I tried an MH300 a few years ago that I really liked. The way I look at it, though, every guitar is in the try-before-you-buy category. I know that's not always feasible, but...

[buzzsaww]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

i agree it's just that with some companies you can be pretty comfortable about the QC going out the door. LTD is not one of them.

[lerxstcat]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

A couple of months ago I got an LTD V100, definitely a lower-line LTD, but it was a KV copy for $170! It plays and
sounds pretty nice, nothing phenomenal but since I'm so used to Dinky shapes with Floyds a V with string-through body bridge is a nice change. I'm happy with it for what it is and what I paid.

[thor]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

I'm embarrassed to admit I just bought a LTD. I joined a Deathmetal band, and the downtuning encouraged me to get a bass with a low B. Not wanting to go the full 5 string route, I bought a LTD DF-404, basically a 5 string in a 4 string body. The neck is really thick to compensate for the neck tension. Really chunky and tough to play, it requires a much harder attack. It's not bad, but the fretboard is milled kind of roughly, you can see that assembly line quality control isnt that great. But, it's got american made hardware and tuners, (Grover tuners and real EMGs). Best of all I got it used (and only 6 months old) for half the price of a new one. (Which is about what it should cost new... haha..) It's more of a backup than anything.

[RR05xx]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

[ QUOTE ]
jason @ DCGL mentioned to me about a year or so ago that LTD was going to become ESP's main push over time. genuine ESP stuff was going to be custom shop and overseas only with very little push in the US.

[/ QUOTE ]

That seems to be where they have been headed for a while. I have actually played one or two that were not have bad, but they were not real good either. I like some ESPs (Hannaman and Lynch kami), but on the whole, for the $$$$ they want for a CS, fender is gonna get me money first!

[nateb]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

LTD's are alright...

There standard and custom series are VERY good quality. At least what I have played.

-Nate

[skins]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

the only esp guitars worth buying are 80s models
[img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Niccolai]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

The ESP horizons are the best guitars I have ever played in my life, and likely the best guitars I ever will play in my life.

The ESP standards and originals are the only prodction line guitars that I know of that you can customize without having to pay for a custom guitar. (the guitars off the bat cost around $1200 but you can change the paint, woods, harware color, ect without having to pay extra since they are made to order and they are built in the same place as the custom line). It's tough to find a dealer than will import from Japan, but it's really cool.

I have an MH400NT on order from Matts Music and the second it gets here I'm putting $900 down on a custom ESP horizon over at carlino guitars with a transparent white finish and quilted maple top.

[Chad]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

[ QUOTE ]
The ESP standards and originals are the only prodction line guitars that I know of that you can customize without having to pay for a custom guitar. (the guitars off the bat cost around $1200 but you can change the paint, woods, harware color, ect without having to pay extra since they are made to order and they are built in the same place as the custom line). It's tough to find a dealer than will import from Japan, but it's really cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? I remember about 10 years ago or so you could change the standard guitars with a $150 upcharge and the cost of the upgrades. Then I thought it went (and still is) standard or custom as two different things. Are you saying this can be done through ESP Japan kinda like the Jackson Stars, but not through normal USA dealer channels?

[Niccolai]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

yup, it's hard to find a dealer that will import guitars that are only available in Japan, but you can do it.

alot of the basic shanges are free too, like pickup swaps, basic finish changes, hardware color, ect. The more complicated stuff you haveto pay for and they won't alter electronic layouts.

[HATEMASK]

Re: LTDs popping up everywhere

I highly doubt that hetfields F was made in korea.Im sure the custom shop in america made it for him with the LTD logo.even so that is major good start power behind an LTD