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nickname009
Published on 08/24/11 at 00:14
* Set-Neck Construction
* 24.75" Scale
* Mahogany Body
* Mahogany Neck
* Rosewood Fingerboard
* 42mm Standard Nut
* Thin U Neck Contour
* 24 XJ Frets
* Gold Hardware
* ESP Locking Tuners
* Tonepros Locking TOM Bridge & Tailpiece
* EMG 81 (B) / 60 (N) Active p.u.
* Finish: BLK
* 3-Way Toggle
* Bridge Volume
* Neck Volume
* Master Tone
UTILIZATION
Great guitar, period. When it first came out I knew I wanted it, even with the nasty abalone binding all over and the hideous model number at the 12th fret, i still wanted it.
It is, and I dare to say, the most ergonomic LP shape I have ever played. Compare it to every other LP shape guitar on the market, you will not get one as comfortable as this one. Yes even the PRS ones are quite good but this just out does it with all the contours, the thinner overall body and the light weight!
Not only does this LP shape guitar have 24 frets, but it's got just enough of a neck contour to play up there!
And the stock EMGs are a great starting point for a great sounding guitar. Players used to have to modify guitars to fit them and now they come stock on almost all of ESP's line, how convenient!
SOUNDS
Great sounds with the stock EMGs. If metallica, slayer and zakk wylde can use the same pickup sets for years without troubles and still sound great then you know the pickups are worth while. EMGs have been around since the early 90s and have taken off and have now become something of a bipolar pickup, people either love it or hate it. The active thing is the hit or miss part as well. It's difficult to properly judge something like this because we, especially as guitarists are so resistant to change, we are so conservative when it comes to new innovations that are completely unique from what we're used to. Only a few of us are actually willing to go out and experiment and accept that the world today is not going to be the same as it was before.
How does this all apply to the tone of the guitar? It's a completely modern twist of a classic. ANd that's how one should take it as, nothing else. And considering the guitar in that manner, it is excellent.
The 81 is thick, raunchy distortion with easy harmonics, plenty of overtones and sustain. Great! Cleans are ok, can dirt up with hard strumming, a tad thin though.
While the cleans are also quite good on the neck pickup. The 60 being one of the cleanest pickups I've heard with such an acoustic quality to it! Sounds good distorted too, thick and smooth but not muddy!
OVERALL OPINION
A great guitar, period. Comfortable, shreddable and looks great. Minus the abalone and the logo at the 12th fret it would be a perfect guitar for me and I would've kept it for more years than I already had. I never had a problem with it aside from such and played many shows with such a beast, it has always sounded great!
ESP is a company not to be messed with, they know what they're doing and they know how to make high quality products at affordable prices! Sounds great, plays great. That's all that matters.
* 24.75" Scale
* Mahogany Body
* Mahogany Neck
* Rosewood Fingerboard
* 42mm Standard Nut
* Thin U Neck Contour
* 24 XJ Frets
* Gold Hardware
* ESP Locking Tuners
* Tonepros Locking TOM Bridge & Tailpiece
* EMG 81 (B) / 60 (N) Active p.u.
* Finish: BLK
* 3-Way Toggle
* Bridge Volume
* Neck Volume
* Master Tone
UTILIZATION
Great guitar, period. When it first came out I knew I wanted it, even with the nasty abalone binding all over and the hideous model number at the 12th fret, i still wanted it.
It is, and I dare to say, the most ergonomic LP shape I have ever played. Compare it to every other LP shape guitar on the market, you will not get one as comfortable as this one. Yes even the PRS ones are quite good but this just out does it with all the contours, the thinner overall body and the light weight!
Not only does this LP shape guitar have 24 frets, but it's got just enough of a neck contour to play up there!
And the stock EMGs are a great starting point for a great sounding guitar. Players used to have to modify guitars to fit them and now they come stock on almost all of ESP's line, how convenient!
SOUNDS
Great sounds with the stock EMGs. If metallica, slayer and zakk wylde can use the same pickup sets for years without troubles and still sound great then you know the pickups are worth while. EMGs have been around since the early 90s and have taken off and have now become something of a bipolar pickup, people either love it or hate it. The active thing is the hit or miss part as well. It's difficult to properly judge something like this because we, especially as guitarists are so resistant to change, we are so conservative when it comes to new innovations that are completely unique from what we're used to. Only a few of us are actually willing to go out and experiment and accept that the world today is not going to be the same as it was before.
How does this all apply to the tone of the guitar? It's a completely modern twist of a classic. ANd that's how one should take it as, nothing else. And considering the guitar in that manner, it is excellent.
The 81 is thick, raunchy distortion with easy harmonics, plenty of overtones and sustain. Great! Cleans are ok, can dirt up with hard strumming, a tad thin though.
While the cleans are also quite good on the neck pickup. The 60 being one of the cleanest pickups I've heard with such an acoustic quality to it! Sounds good distorted too, thick and smooth but not muddy!
OVERALL OPINION
A great guitar, period. Comfortable, shreddable and looks great. Minus the abalone and the logo at the 12th fret it would be a perfect guitar for me and I would've kept it for more years than I already had. I never had a problem with it aside from such and played many shows with such a beast, it has always sounded great!
ESP is a company not to be messed with, they know what they're doing and they know how to make high quality products at affordable prices! Sounds great, plays great. That's all that matters.