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ESP Truckster
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ESP Truckster

LP-Shaped Guitar from ESP belonging to the James Hetfield series

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Mikl O Mikl O
Published on 01/22/10 at 02:18
Guitar made in Japan, tested in the USA, bought in France.

Level features are those of most models of ESP Eclipse: mahogany body, mahogany set neck 22 frets, 24.75 pitch, "maple table (not present on the model LTD), rosewood fingerboard, pearl inlays form" flag " , neck profile Thin U ESP 42mm bone nut, jumbo frets, Sperzel locking mechanical, Stop Bar tailpiece and bridge type TonePro, micro EMG 81 bridge and EMG 60 neck, with 2 volume and 1 tone.

Level aspect, I have the Black, so black finish with satin underlay gray, red and white satin chrome mechanical. Note that the frames are metal micro "distressed" and that to scrupulously follow the config Hetfield, guitar comes with Schaller strap-locks. Like all Truckster, the second switch at the top of the guitar body is inactive, but may eventually be wired.

The Truckster is "all options" (Stop Bar tonepro, Mecas Sperzel, violin in set top nickel chrome, bone nut, micro metal frames, etc. ...), and in a trim level (I will return) absolutely impeccable . We do not see too what more could a guitar type Les Paul, hence my high rating.

UTILIZATION

Emerging from ESP Jeff Hanneman, the handle was a little weird: the Hanneman has a handle "extra thin U" (verrrrry end), the Truckster a "thin U". The handle is a little thicker, but still enjoyable. It is late, but still has the U-shape that makes it feels good in the hand. I am not at all adept sleeves flat type D Jackson or Ibanez, much less triangular sleeves that can be found on a lot of Dean Dimebag, so the profile fits me very well run. It is thinner than most Fender, and thinner than many Gibson LP. In addition, the satin finish varnish that is slid very well, and the handle quickly becomes a highway.

Level weight, ESP Truckster is lighter than the LTD, probably because of the maple top and mahogany species used for the body and the neck (of higher quality, more "noise" and light on ESP). Ergonomics standard, if you like the LP, you will not be disoriented. Note that the guitar is very well balanced when standing with a strap. Seated, the body tends to be a little heavier than the head.

The treble is good access to ... for LP. The perfectly painted slides, Never hang even with the sweat and the junction sleeve / body is made so that one reaches rather well treble. However, nothing to do with the neck thru kind Hanneman ESP M-II, Horizon and other Viper, which are made for the Shredder and provide access to acute absolutely unparalleled. Here we are on the LP on the rhythm guitar instead, and usability suffers.

Sound level between the EMG and sounding violin on top perfectly adjusted to the shop, it comes out right away, and easily. It addition, it mounts the volume, we scratch, and ....

In short, good ergonomics for an LP, but still the access to treble could be improved (yes, I know it would change many things, but good).

SOUNDS

I play rock and metal, and I will sometimes take on the blues. What I love about this guitar (this is true for most Eclipse ESP) is its extreme versatility, I had lost with Hanneman. The latter is a razor, a beast of ergonomics and sound quality, but it has a micro tandem that I dislike: EMG 81/85. Yes, I know is the guitar Jeff Hanneman, cut to thrash, Kerry King and use it as 81/85, as Zakk Wyldde and all ... but I find the 85 too aggressive for a neck pickup. The concern of the couple 81/85, is that it leads directly to the guitar sound entirely metal, "nag" violent. 81/60 The couple, on a mahogany guitar, lets go tease her ranges much wider. The 81 will release a powerful sound, square, sharp, incisive and distortion with a precise, perfect for anything that requires the potato. The 60, it is very round, smooth, warm, sweet, and allows the same to get sounds much more peaceful and warm, ballad, blues, etc ... There is less grain than the 85, yes, but it extends the range of possibilities significantly.

I loved my Hanneman, we understand each other. But I was always yours to the flange when they rose from the distortion. Even in the neck position, I sound extreme (too) powerful, aggressive. With Truckster, I can switch between rhythmic and heavy metal to a very smooth and warm. Clearly, spending clean sound of Nothing Else Matters (a massacre with Hanneman) to the heavy rhythmic Enter Sandman or Angel of Death.

My Hanneman was a gem, but unfortunately not necessarily suitable for my use. The Truckster, meanwhile, met my specifications perfectly of the moment. The sound is strong, beautiful, whatever the microphone used, and the alchemy of EMG 81/60 and mahogany works perfectly well (qu&#39;Hetfield was recognized early, since he did know the Tandem 81/60). In short, very high note, because guitar that perfectly meets my expectations.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this guitar for roughly 1 month. Before her, I had an ESP Jeff Hanneman (jewelry), an LTD Truckster, a Gibson Explorer. I think I found a guitar I&#39;ll keep a long time (although good, I love change ^ ^): the Explorer, I wanted to keep the powerful sound, but the weight was too high. The LTD, I wanted to keep the quality of finish ESP, ergonomics (raaaaahhhhh whore, the Sperzel !!!). The Hanneman made me realize, however, that I was not necessarily made for a guitar shredder, and that the alliance without a compromise alder body with EMG 81/85, I preferred by far acajou-81/60 alliance.

What I like the Truckster is above all its tone. It is versatile, powerful and smooth, aggressive and calm, short, even if it will not sound Telecaster, you can touch everything that is done from blues to rock without worrying. Second, and something on which I would like to emphasize is the quality of the finish ESP. These are really great guitars. We may not like the distressed black, find the act of buying a new guitar full of scratches a bit stupid, yes, I admit ... but the finish is monstrous. The work wear is superb, light years away LTD. These last are "sanded" not very artificial, and the record is still not great. ESPs, they are scraped, grated, waste, "subject" (for the pets on the tip of the horns, for example), etc. ... The varnish is beautiful, the colors also. You feel the hollows in the paint where the wear is present, it is not just a small job done quickly. Note, too, and it is a sentiment shared by many of my friends, the guitar is much more beautiful in real than in the picture. I do not know what it is, but many people, seeing in real life, had an opinion like "Holy cow! But in fact she is gorgeous! On the photo it was" Milka Cow ", she is superb !!!". Good, bad guitar ESP is really like having a crazy stuff, what ... The flight case arrives in a sleeve felt for not damaging the flight case is rock-solid, the guitar comes well set, with everything you need (keys, manual, certificate authentication, strap lock, etc. .. .), and with a level of finish is absolutely monstrous.

In short, yes 100 times yes, I do it again this election. Maybe not a Truckster (my tastes and my colors are very changeable), but an ESP, for sure. Currently, this guitar is everything I seek in my instrument, and the quality of the ESP material fact that this is on top. In short, a great guitar, I suggest you try and go see "for real" for you to notice a real beauty!