Why is ESP more popular than Jackson?

[goodwood]

Ironic ... you state that the LTDs are the shit (No argument, they are a good bang for the buck)
...but you also mention in another post that the higher quality yet also ESP built Kramer Nightswan was " the poorest construction you ever experienced with a Kramer."
Not to mention that many of the late 80's US and import Kramers were also ESP built. ????

Yes, indeed...it was the cheapest feeling Kramer I had ever put my hands on. It was you though who said "maybe I ran into a bad one" wasn't it? I believe that my reply was affirmative. I am well aware of the ESP/Kramer lineage...I have a Pacer Patent Pending, 4 American Series (Deluxe, CI, and two CII) plus a Focus (F-1000).

[Mr Metal]

A lot of ESP -AND- Ibanez's popularity is due to distribution and marketing. As many of JCF'ers overseas have mentioned, Charvel and Jackson are not as widely distributed outside USA as ESP and Ibanez are. Japanese companies such as ESP and Ibanez also spend more on marketing, including nice ads, brochures, guitar clinics, and celebrity endorsements. All this, combined with Charvel/Jackson's metal-only reputation (which I think Fender has further reinforced since they acquired CJ, I guess to differentiate between Fender and Charvel/Jackson) creates a more limited appeal for Charvel/Jackson. Fender also raised prices on all Japanese-made Jackson models so much that they do not compete at entry-mid level with LTD or with Korean Ibanez unless you buy their Indian-made models. IMHO the Indian Jacksons are not competitive with LTD or the Korean-made Ibanez.

[xbolt]

Yes, indeed...it was the cheapest feeling Kramer I had ever put my hands on. It was you though who said "maybe I ran into a bad one" wasn't it? I believe that my reply was affirmative. I am well aware of the ESP/Kramer lineage...I have a Pacer Patent Pending, 4 American Series (Deluxe, CI, and two CII) plus a Focus (F-1000).

I only said it was ironic...
So if I'm clear...what you are really trying to say is your ESP LTDs can hang with your ESP built Pacers...that is not so ironic...

[S.O.A.F]

Indian Jacksons are really shit! LTD is much better than that.If compare with New Kramer .....I rather get a LTD

[iced_earth]

Does anyone have any numbers in terms of guitars sold to say how much "better" ESP is doing than Jackson? While ESP is certainly more visible than Jackson due to their endorsements, I can't say I see all that many being sold in stores. Of the "big two", Guitar Center doesn't stock ESP while GC and Sam Ash both stock Jacksons. Based on what I see in those stores, I'd say Ibanez is kicking both of their butts.

[Mr Metal]

I would agree that Ibanez easily outsells both ESP and Charvel Jackson............Ibanez successfully covers the entire range of product from beginner-packs to $4000 Jems..............They also do very well overeas with J-Craft and J-Custom models..........

[goodwood]

I only said it was ironic...
So if I'm clear...what you are really trying to say is your ESP LTDs can hang with your ESP built Pacers...that is not so ironic...

I think that the LTDs can hang with just about anything. Any and every company is capable of making a dud once in a while I suppose.

[S.O.A.F]

I would agree that Ibanez easily outsells both ESP and Charvel Jackson............Ibanez successfully covers the entire range of product from beginner-packs to $4000 Jems..............They also do very well overeas with J-Craft and J-Custom models..........

Ibanez is smart,they do J-csutom with selling japan only,then oversea collectors start to collect it in high price...so some people think that Ibanez is a high-class brand.And Ibanez like to announcel new model and discontinue it in short time ,so if u dont get it fast,they will be discontinued!!

[chrisolson]

Of the "big two", Guitar Center doesn't stock ESP while GC and Sam Ash both stock Jacksons. Based on what I see in those stores, I'd say Ibanez is kicking both of their butts.

...and since you mentioned it, I'd have to say that Schecter must be doing well too. I see more of those walk out the door than Jackson, BC Rich, Epi, and Dean put together. Lot's of Ibanez too...

Can't really compare ESP/LTD since the "big guys" don't carry them. But the catalog outlets all do...

[Endrik]

goodwood... how about you get some wood up in your ass... just wow.. suddenly someone is saying that I can't have my own opinion on tone wtf????

A lot of ESPs I've played sounded good.... LTDs didn't... I also think that 99% of Ibanez products sound like shit... so what's your fucking problem?

I don't care if those LTDs have been dipped into Tone Godess' vaginal nectar... I'm just not impressed.

[iced_earth]

...and since you mentioned it, I'd have to say that Schecter must be doing well too. I see more of those walk out the door than Jackson, BC Rich, Epi, and Dean put together. Lot's of Ibanez too...

Can't really compare ESP/LTD since the "big guys" don't carry them. But the catalog outlets all do...

Yeah, you're right. I've seen the Schecter sections in my local GC stores grow over the last few years. I've got to admit though, the Schecter line looks pretty darn good, especially when it comes to good looking reasonably priced fixed bridge guitars they've got everyone beat.

[markD]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, the tone godess' vaginal nectar!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA, btw - i think the ORIGINAL ltd guitars were awesome, when ltd was written in the ESP font, but now.....eh. i'd rather play and mod a mexican fender.....

[followthereaper]

I'm too lazy to read this whole thread, but it's made me glad to have been liking Jacksons since I was 14 and have never owned an LTD or ESP.

[emperor_black]

I don't care if those LTDs have been dipped into Tone Godess' vaginal nectar... I'm just not impressed.

:ROTF::ROTF:

[Vass]

A few folks mentioned that they see sponsored guitarists playing LTD's rather than actual branded ESP's.....

Any thoughts on how many of those are something else with a "LTD" sticker on the headstock? Wouldn't be the first time it happened....


Vass