LTD EC-1000 Black

I got this off music 123, the left handed version, which cost $850 (about £500, which when considered is less than half the price of a right handed one in the u.k! worth a trip to the u.s just to save the money, plus its impossible to get a left handed one over here)

this thing is definetly worth the trip! originally, i was looking for something with a whammy bar, a strat or ibanez rg1570, but then i saw this thing and just had to get it, whammy or no whammy. its looks amazing, brilliant colour and finish, mines the red one, the bodies butifully contoured, like a les paul, but not as heavy, and i havent even mentioned the EMGs, which gives it amazing zakk wylde like tone, a Tonepros bridge, which keeps it perfectly in tune, or sperzel tuners, which make re-stringing so easy and takes no time at all. it also has 24 frets rather than 22, and a great fast neck.

the only improvements which would be nice would be if instead of two EMG81s, they put an 85 or 60 in to give more variation. i changed my bridge one to a 60, a much deeper tonal pickup when distorted, and gives the guitar a much better clean sound, which isnt too hot with the 81s. and due to the clever people at EMG no souldering is required. all you need to connect one conector to another. they could mabee change the inlays to just normal white, but im just nitpicking

qualitys top notch, mahogany body is solid as a rock. not easily dented like my epi SG, and set neck gives it a nice solid feel also

this thing is the shit! if you like your heavy tonal sound of the likes of zakk and dime ( riff in peace brother dime), this is for you. even if you dont you need to check this out, as there is a semour duncan option availible (right handers only i think?) the best next thing to a les paul and for less than half the price.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Bought it at samash for around 850. One of the best investments ive ever made!

Lets start with the pick-ups...EMG 81s!!! They are so nice and hot i love them! However the clean sounds a little processed but still not bad at all.Bodys mahogany sounds great nice and solid.It has tonepros! barely ever needs tuning.The finish is beautifal! the neck is eyepopping! its dripping in abalone inlay and white/creme binding.Mine had the black finish with gold hardware.Jaw dropping

Absouloutly nothing! Except however my one small complaint is theres only a slight variety between your neck and bridge because the 81s sound similar...however not much too make a complaint.

Simply Amazing.Built tough looks like it will last a long time.Ive had great experiences with esp in the past.Any problems would most likely easily cleared up with there customer service as any ive had have been!

If your into playing metal...thrash...its great you even pull some classic rock...blues and indie sounds ouyt of it! Definitly a keeper! go out and buy it

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

* 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.