Educate me on the ESP brand

[chrisolson]

I can't believe I passed on a ESP Phoenix a few years back... It was like $550 or something... I still kick myself to this day. It was red one.

[goodwood]

You must admit, they've been known to peddle some Jackson-lookin headstocks from time to time.

EDIT: And those headstocks can't be confused with Kramers, either.

Yes...I do have to admit that. You are right.

I've played maybe one LTD with all of the above. I've played many, many more that sucked. It's not a question of the ability of Koreans to build fine guitars. The LTDs come off the same line as the Korean Schecters (and probably many other guitars), and yet the LTDs I've played always seem to have a higher suck factor. I think ESP just cheaps out on them. Believe me, I'd love for the LTDs not to suck, because I'd own several if more of them were decent.

That post baffles me. Absolutely baffles me. I have 4 LTD guitars. I have had two more that I purchased for friends so I had them for a week + before I delivered them and have played them again since delivery. Of the points that I stated:
-They feel great.
-Have excellent quality pickups and electronics.
-Good wood.
-Excellent quality control.

...ALL of them applied to ALL SIX of those guitars. Furthermore, every other LTD (400 Series and up) that I have played had the characteristics to fit all of those points as well...so I don't know where you are trying your LTDs but they simply can't be the same guitars.

For comparison purposes, I also have 2 USA Gibsons, 3 USA Fenders, a Japanese Jackson, I had a 1985 USA Jackson that I just sold a month ago, I have many, many other guitars of Japanese origin, Korean origin, Canadian made ones , other USA made ones, etc. The LTDs that I have and have put my hands on have all kicked ass (NOT 'for the money'...just kicked ass).

Currently:

[Firebird V]

I can't believe I passed on a ESP Phoenix a few years back... It was like $550 or something... I still kick myself to this day. It was red one.

yeah i have seen a few in the past couple months that were red and had minibuckers in them... but i passed on them as i relly only like the humbucker models and would probably just end up taking a router to them.

if i see one in the future i will be sure to let you know though if you are looking for a red one.

and to add to the ltd post i have played a few that were archtops that really blew me away. they were neckthru so i guess that would be a horizon or m1 type model? anyway. they played and sounded pretty damn good. i would have probably swapped out the pickups but other then that they were fine.

[Ben...]

Is that eclipse at the top shaped differently than most? I've never liked eclipses but that one's cool.

[ozzuk1]

That is the standard non arched eclipse shape it is pretty cool...

I think the majority fo the ltd line EC's have this with teh exception of the 1000 series and a few others...

[GryphonGuitar]

The horn looks decidedly cool on it.

[chrisolson]

Just wanted to chime in on the LTD line (400 series and above) -- their quality control is tremendous compared to most, and the fit and finish of those instruments is on par with Jackson Japan stuff. They use top shelf parts and really pay attention to detail.

[toejam]

I had an EC-300P for awhile that was pretty nice. I wound up selling it to somebody here.

[ESPManiAc]

ESP guitars are great.

Great choice of woods, and materials. They produce some of the highest of quality guitars in the market to date.

I have had 2 brand new ESP Customs (one '06, one '07) they were amazing. Great tonal characteristics, but the necks were not for me.

Why on earth have some of you people been saying that ESPs custom shop used to be better....thats just wrong. Its better now than it has ever been!

[siggy14]

Like this one click on the thumbnail.

Does anyone have a pic of an ESP with a Jackson lawsuit headstock?

[Sjusovaren]

Yes...I do have to admit that. You are right.

That post baffles me. Absolutely baffles me. I have 4 LTD guitars. I have had two more that I purchased for friends so I had them for a week + before I delivered them and have played them again since delivery. Of the points that I stated:
-They feel great.
-Have excellent quality pickups and electronics.
-Good wood.
-Excellent quality control.

...ALL of them applied to ALL SIX of those guitars. Furthermore, every other LTD (400 Series and up) that I have played had the characteristics to fit all of those points as well...so I don't know where you are trying your LTDs but they simply can't be the same guitars.

For comparison purposes, I also have 2 USA Gibsons, 3 USA Fenders, a Japanese Jackson, I had a 1985 USA Jackson that I just sold a month ago, I have many, many other guitars of Japanese origin, Korean origin, Canadian made ones , other USA made ones, etc. The LTDs that I have and have put my hands on have all kicked ass (NOT 'for the money'...just kicked ass).

Currently:

Man, nice EC400 (the black one)! If you ever sell that one, let me know!

[goodwood]

Is that eclipse at the top shaped differently than most? I've never liked eclipses but that one's cool.

As ozzuk1 said...it is the flat top body. They have that cutout or bevel on the lower horn. Definitely a cool look. I have the 18 volt mod on the EMGs in that one...to quote Deep Purple..."ooooo she's a killin' machine..."

Man, nice EC400 (the black one)! If you ever sell that one, let me know!

Oh yes, I quite like that one. I got it before they discontinued them. I think you can get something that is pretty close in the 500 series now though...or check eBay. I saw one on eBayEurope for about 700 bones recently. I just looked it up and it is still there:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ESP-LTD-EC400-ltd-ec-400-Les-Paul-Style-Guitar_W0QQitemZ150271438770QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150271438770&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

[Mortuus]

Higher-end LTDs and pretty much all the ESPs are top-notch.
I own a EC1000, and it is the best guitar I have ever owned. Better than my RR3.
I used to own a LTD F-50, which was good for the price, but pretty useless when you also own a Jackson.
My opinion since I bought the Eclipse is pretty simple: Korean-made LTDs that I tried are great, but the Eclipses are plain awesome. Finally, the Japan-made ESPs are pretty much all awesome.

I didn't tried any Custom Shop ESPs, but I've heard they are great. On the downside,
I've also heard that many orders have mess-ups. You simply have to send it back, they fix it, and they pay everything.
Sad for them, because I'm sure they lose a lot of money by trying to go faster and faster.

[Tim]

I've got a Viper 400 with Duncans, it's a great guitar. At the usual going price in England (over £600!), NO WAY. I got mine for £370 because they were blowing the old models out, which is a far more reasonable price. Factory setup was poor, action needed lowering and there's a buzz at the 12th fret I can't get rid of. Apart from that it's a quality guitar.

[goodwood]

IFactory setup was poor, action needed lowering and there's a buzz at the 12th fret I can't get rid of. Apart from that it's a quality guitar.

Maybe you actually need to tweak the truss rod and raise the action...common issue.