LTD EC-1000T CTM [2011-2018]

Everyone knows the EC-1000 ESP model. It is their primary single cut guitar. It is like a mix of a single cut design with a super strat design. Some people wanted ESP to make a single cut that has a more traditional feel in the body. This is that guitar. The EC-1000 CTM. The CTM model has a more traditionally shaped body. While the normal EC-1000 has a lot of bevels in the body the CTM has a traditional Gibson style body with just the carved top. The body is double bound as well like a Les Paul Custom. The cutaway isnt as big and it only has 22 frets as well. The guitar has a mahogany body. The set in neck is mahogany as well with the 24.75 inch scale. The fretboard is ebony with 22 jumbo frets. The hardware is all gold with ESP locking tuners up top and a Tonepros locking bridge down at the bottom. It has the traditional pickup setup for an EC1000 with an 81 in the bridge and a 60 in the neck. The controls are 2 volumes and a master tone with a 3 way switch on the upper bout.

UTILIZATION

Every mid to high end ESP guitar plays well. This is an LTD model so it isnt made in Japan but it is made to pretty much the same specs with the same hardware. This guitar comes from the factory with all the upgrades I would do to a singlecut guitar. The ESP locking tuners do the job and hold tuning well. The Tonepros locking bridge makes changing strings and working on the guitar easy because the bridge doesnt fall off every time you have the strings off. The locking bridge also increases sustain a bit. Since the pickups in this guitar are active they include a battery compartment. This is nice but the compartment uses screws to open it. If you have to unscrew the compartment you are not saving any time from just having the battery in the control cavity. I dont know why some ESP's have screw in compartments and some have flip out compartments. The flip out compartments make more sense to me.

SOUNDS

This is a metal guitar so it is armed as such. The pickups in this guitar are full of metal pickups. They are so metal that they need batteries to operate. The 81 gives you great high end crunch and clarity even in the lowest of tunings. With the 81 harmonics pop right out and you get a nice searing high end tone. This high end is what keeps the sound nice and clear. The 60 in the neck is a pretty much neck only pickup. It is not super high output and is best used for clean tones. You can get good bluesy low gain tones as well with the neck pickup 60. If you want a more organic and passive like tone from the pickups you can do the 18v mod which has you running the pickups on 2 batteries instead of one. This gives the pickups more headroom and a more organic tone overall.

OVERALL OPINION

If you are looking to get into a more modern style Singlecut guitar but dont like all the bevels in the body and whatnot this is the guitar for you. it has a traditional style body construction that gives you the same feel as your old school singel cut but combines that feel with the modern neck and playability of a modern guitar. With the locking tuners and locking bridge it has all the mods you should do anyway from the factory so it is pretty much ready to gig right out of the box. This ESP is great if you are looking for a guitar with a thick body and thick tone with upgraded hardware and modern playability.

This is a Korean manufacturing has the following characteristics:

-Mahogany body
-Mahogany neck
-Ebony
-TonePros bridge and tailpiece
-Mechanical wraps
Abalone-inlay in the handle
-22 Extra Jumbo frets
Climb-EMG 81 bridge and EMG 60 neck.

It differs from a standard EC1000 by its handle with 22 frets, against 24 for the standard, and it does not cut at the handle and the top of the guitar.

After this is a Korean manufacture, so the finishes are not necessarily at the top. Mine has some issues binding if one pays the eye, but that is only a detail.

Nothing more, nothing less.
The white color with golden hardware makes the difference compared to other EC1000 left in dark tones.
I put an 8 finish at the top if not a little tickle.

UTILIZATION

Regarding the handle, one is faced with a very nice set.
U-shaped back and nail it easily slides on and it is very nice.
Before I played a BC Rich and there is no photo, no need for adaptation and frets allow to obtain a clear and accurate sound.
Here we have very fast race with a very good access to acute even if compared to a standard EC 1000 found only 22 frets against 24 for EC1000. There's no cutout for easy access to treble the EC1000 standard but we do not need here.

As is the ergonomics, it's a Les Paul weighs his weight. But I am pleasantly surprised because it is not as heavy as I would have thought.
The game is more comfortable sitting and standing game is just awesome. We are facing a very well balanced guitar that does not sting the nose and with a good strap, does not weigh a ton on his shoulders.
The ebony fingerboard is fantastic, it is a treat to play on, sounds of thunder.

AD mechanical fulfill their role perfectly, tuning does not move even after several hours of play and yet I'm not going to pull any punches.
The Tune O Matic bridge with Tone Pros is a wonder, at the top.

In terms of sound, it is already empty amazed by the sustain and resonance of the agreements.
But when the branch where it is that it releases the EMG and sends its saturated fat and specific wish.

SOUNDS

I play on a Dark Terror from Orange.

In terms of clean, I am pleasantly surprised. If we can play with the volume knob of EMG60 was a pretty clean that lets out a little intro or a beautiful ballad with a clean round and warm. But this is not what you asked ...
A big plus for EMG60 who can play the big fat greasy stoner or other music that you carry remaining accurate with a healthy dose of distortion.

Regarding the distortion, we enter his chosen field.
The solo sounds alone and that's good.
It has EMG and it shows. The rhythmic send the block, ring of fire god and palm mute slamming as it is not allowed.
Brief EMG no longer has to prove and we are still witness here.

OVERALL OPINION

It's been two weeks since I played it and I'm thrilled.
I hesitated with Gibson, but as they say try it is to adopt.

This is my second guitar before I played a BC Rich entry level and passing on this Ec 1000 I really feel that the BC Rich blocking my game on a guitar of this quality it feels comfortable and is fun.

With this guitar was ringing tones and resonate very well on a huge sustain and a guitar that sounds good manufacturing and stain.

Regarding the price, I've paid € 940 and I think the value for money very correct. We have very good quality parts that are made to last, which does not leave much to be desired.

And this choice is made, and would have to repeat his eyes closed.