Seriously impressed with LTD's quality lately

[Mattayus]

Been under a mountain of guitar set-ups this year. Every now and then a guitar comes through that really surprises me.

A regular customer of mine had just bought one of these and brought it in for a tweak as the stock set-up wasn't amazing



Not quite my cup of tea aesthetically, the Fishmans aren't to my taste, but holy crap what a guitar (after a set-up). Really didn't have to do much to it at all. Fresh strings and a truss rod tweak and that was that. Fretwork is fantastic, and it's a hugely resonant and sustaining guitar.

If their entire series is like this I might have to take a closer look at that '87 Series!

Is this a one-off or can anybody concur that they've stepped up? I always felt LTD was overpriced when compared with similar Jackson/Ibanez models. I always felt you paid MIJ prices for MII or MIK instruments that were sub-par.

[Chris]

They've always been a great bang for the buck IMO. I had a seven way back in the day (the green one that I raffled off on /7/). It was basically a Schecter C7 with a different headstock. It wouldn't blow anyone away who was a cork sniffer but it was a really well constructed workhorse.

Honestly if they said ESP on the headstock I'd probably own like 6 of them by now. Those 87 reissues look awesome.

[bigdave]

Those 87 models with 1 Bucker are calling me. I've only heard good things but havn't had a chance to play one so I'd like to see what you find out as well.

[Mattayus]

Yeah, funnily enough my first ever 7 string was an LTD that prompted me to join ss.org I quickly moved into Ibbies but that was a solid workhorse guitar, as you say.

I do really like the 1000-series stuff I've played, I just feel like it's sometimes overpriced for what you end up with. They're also incredibly thick with paint. I like to feel more wood these days.

Those 87 models with 1 Bucker are calling me. I've only heard good things but havn't had a chance to play one so I'd like to see what you find out as well.

That's the one thats got my wallet weeping too right now. The single hum, all in black. Its got one of my favourite pickups as stock (duncan distortion), a top mount floyd, and looks sick.

There's a store about an hours drive from me that stocks them. If I pay a visit I'll report back.

[Dominic]

I like to feel more wood these days.

[Dan0151]

I have the cheapest LTD out there the M50 2011, a couple of upgrades (emg,gotoh bridge and after burner) and its a awesome playing guitar.

[Iron1]

I love my Arrow, plays like a million bucks. Wish it had Fishman's instead of EMGs, but someday I'll correct that part.

[mpexus]

I have the cheapest LTD out there the M50 2011, a couple of upgrades (emg,gotoh bridge and after burner) and its a awesome playing guitar.

Have a friend (Pro player for the past 30 years) that swears his M-50 has best neck on any of his guitars. If one day he got a custom made guitar he wants that neck replicated.

[Megametal7]

I have two LTDs and both of them are great for their price. my EC-256 has really good sustain and feels great, it could do with better tuners and pick-ups tho. And Snakbyte is a great chug chug machine.

[Jeff]

Disclaimer, my shop's a dealer, so grain of salt, yadda yadda. BUT, yeah I think they're turning out some really, really nice guitars lately. The EC-256, which is near the bottom, is a banger of a guitar for $499, and I don't feel the slightest bad about getting a kid into of those, for how they're built. But the 1000 series and signature series are just nuts, IMHO.

We've had a number of the 1000 series in: Vipers, M1000HT (which desertdweller currently owns), MH1000, H1001, and quite a few EC1000's. All have been perfect. Can't find an issue with them at all, and they're all well equipped with Fishmans, Duncans, locking tuners, etc. The best ones though have been the signature models. We've ordered a Ben Burny (Burnly? I don't know who he is) BB-600 LTD, and just this past week a Javier Reyes JR-608. Dude, the Reyes is SO FAR out of my wheelhouse that it's not even funny, but holy shit is it a nice guitar.

So yeah, I wouldn't hesitate. And it's not really me shilling, since you're in the UK and I can't sell to you anyway, so there.

[General Klinger]

Disclaimer, my shop's a dealer, so grain of salt, yadda yadda. BUT, yeah I think they're turning out some really, really nice guitars lately. The EC-256, which is near the bottom, is a banger of a guitar for $499, and I don't feel the slightest bad about getting a kid into of those, for how they're built. But the 1000 series and signature series are just nuts, IMHO.

We've had a number of the 1000 series in: Vipers, M1000HT (which desertdweller currently owns), MH1000, H1001, and quite a few EC1000's. All have been perfect. Can't find an issue with them at all, and they're all well equipped with Fishmans, Duncans, locking tuners, etc. The best ones though have been the signature models. We've ordered a Ben Burny (Burnly? I don't know who he is) BB-600 LTD, and just this past week a Javier Reyes JR-608. Dude, the Reyes is SO FAR out of my wheelhouse that it's not even funny, but holy shit is it a nice guitar.

So yeah, I wouldn't hesitate. And it's not really me shilling, since you're in the UK and I can't sell to you anyway, so there.

Ben is the lead singer and one of the guitarists for Breaking Benjamin. His BB-600 is a sick Baritone!

[Greg McCoy]

Breaking Benjamin is already one of the stupidest band names of all time, knowing that the main guy is actually named Ben makes it worse.

Like what the fuck does that even mean?

Although it would work in rap if they made it BREAKING BENJAMINS. Like, "Yo, I'm always asking for change for 100$ bills. Straight gangsta shit yo. Break me a benjamin."

Although "BREAKING JEFFERSONS" is tougher.

Two dollar bills are tough as fuck, no one even knows where they come from, they are like the unicorns of currency. 90% of the population considers them a myth.

You should always carry a two dollar bill on you, because if you ever get jumped, the person jumping you will not fuck with you once they see you are breaking jeffersons. Like, "Oh shit, he's not fucking around, better get the fuck out of here before he starts breaking jeffersons".

Susan B Anthonies and Sacajawea coins work to a lesser extent as well. I had like, ten Sacajaweas as a kid, but I spent them on action figures, so now I am not safe walking the streets.

[desertdweller]

M1000HT (which desertdweller currently owns),

I posted a NGD when it arrived too. It is honestly one of the most fun and versatile guitars I've ever played and the quality control and setup is immaculate. This was what I'd expect from an E-II, Edwards, or ESP-labeled guitar, not an LTD.

[Jeff]

I posted a NGD when it arrived too. It is honestly one of the most fun and versatile guitars I've ever played and the quality control and setup is immaculate. This was what I'd expect from an E-II, Edwards, or ESP-labeled guitar, not an LTD.

I love the mocha latte guitar

[beneharris]

It's seriously crazy how good these mid range guitars are getting. They've certainly gotten more expensive than 10 years ago. Or maybe it's just there was no $1000-1500 range guitars.

I remember how crap the sub 1k stuff used to be, and I feel that these are filling that slot.

[mpexus]

Disclaimer, my shop's a dealer, so grain of salt, yadda yadda. BUT, yeah I think they're turning out some really, really nice guitars lately. The EC-256, which is near the bottom, is a banger of a guitar for $499, and I don't feel the slightest bad about getting a kid into of those, for how they're built. But the 1000 series and signature series are just nuts, IMHO.

Nice you mention the 256 series because I'm looking at LP Shaped guitars and two weeks on a trip to Bordeaux(France) I entered two guitar shop to go look at them specifically. The LTD's EC caught my eye right away, they were next to the Tokais and much more expensive Gibsons, sadly they had no new Epiphone models.

I picked up the LTD (all of the 3 they had) and I really liked the feeling of it, all of them. Only thing i noticed on the one that I got attracted visually more, was that I could kinda "see" the junction on Neck with the Body was not 100% perfect. Probably that detail thing that costs much more to do and they cant waste time on the cheaper lines. It was not bad but i could spot it like some excess finish.

The were light, belly cut, felt really great and had Inlay on first fret which i really like to see on LP Shaped guitars.

The Tokay was much heavier, bulkier Neck profile and felt harder to play for me. I didn't even picked the Gibson since the price is way more than what I'm willing to spend on a guitar. Sure we could see a diference just by looking at it, still...

Thing pretty sure it needs some sort of hardware swap (Tunners, Nut etc) and for that why not go right away to a EC 1000 series?

[Darren]

I just wish the 87 models had the lawsuit headstock.

And why is the EC1000 FR only available in black?

[playstopause]

The EC-256, which is near the bottom, is a banger of a guitar for $499, and I don't feel the slightest bad about getting a kid into of those, for how they're built.

So much this. I've owned 2 and they were terrific guitars for the price.

[man jerk]

Just like desertdweller, I picked up one of these. I wasn't too stoked on the finish. Yes it looks good but it would not be my first, maybe not my second choice. However it is such a nice guitar. I really cannot find any fault with it. The neck feels like it's sculpted out of marble, I love the fishmans, the hardtail and the locking tuners. It just plays sweet. Unfortunately no stainless steel frets, but my understanding is moving forward all 1000 series LTD's will have SS frets moving forward.

I've always been a Jackson fanboy (still am) but this beats my SL2Q by miles for an additional $150 list.

[mpexus]

I just wish the 87 models had the lawsuit headstock.

And why is the EC1000 FR only available in black?

Not only in total Black, they also have See Through Black:



But yes they should have it in more colors

https://www.espguitars.com/products/24222-ec-1000fr

[Jeff]

I just wish the 87 models had the lawsuit headstock.

And why is the EC1000 FR only available in black?

I mean, it's probably because most people realize Floyd Roses on LP-style guitars are abominations, so they didn't want to lose too much money having guitars sit in warehouses.

[Briansol]

Breaking Benjamin is already one of the stupidest band names of all time, knowing that the main guy is actually named Ben makes it worse.

Like what the fuck does that even mean?

Although it would work in rap if they made it BREAKING BENJAMINS. Like, "Yo, I'm always asking for change for 100$ bills. Straight gangsta shit yo. Break me a benjamin."

Although "BREAKING JEFFERSONS" is tougher.

Two dollar bills are tough as fuck, no one even knows where they come from, they are like the unicorns of currency. 90% of the population considers them a myth.

You should always carry a two dollar bill on you, because if you ever get jumped, the person jumping you will not fuck with you once they see you are breaking jeffersons. Like, "Oh shit, he's not fucking around, better get the fuck out of here before he starts breaking jeffersons".

Susan B Anthonies and Sacajawea coins work to a lesser extent as well. I had like, ten Sacajaweas as a kid, but I spent them on action figures, so now I am not safe walking the streets.

I'm literally laughing out loud at this.
i thought the same thing when it siad that ben is in breaking benjamin.
lololololol

[Shawn]

I posted a NGD when it arrived too. It is honestly one of the most fun and versatile guitars I've ever played and the quality control and setup is immaculate. This was what I'd expect from an E-II, Edwards, or ESP-labeled guitar, not an LTD.

I've been eyeing the 7-string version of this guitar as of late. I've been impressed by ESP in general...love my E-II.

[desertdweller]

I've been eyeing the 7-string version of this guitar as of late. I've been impressed by ESP in general...love my E-II.

If they made it in different finishes, I would buy the 7 string version too. I just can't see owning the same finish twice.

[Kagami]

Those ugly finishes are honestly what is keeping me away from getting one.