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Pierre-Em « The top level »
Published on 04/17/13 at 04:08Very good build quality.
All mahogany.
I think every Truckster even LTD, is unique, because I have not seen one with the same wear patterns. The stroke sander should undoubtedly be given by hand. It is very successful on mine.
Three layers of different matt varnish, and more, I suppose, of a pore mouth of mahogany! In places sanding to give relic finish reached the wood.
Then we can see a good quality grain and no defects in the fiber orientation.
What impresses me is the quality of the polish. It is indestructible (or almost). Nothing to do with any gloss that will leave a mark or scratch at the slightest friction or shock. Including on high-end guitars.
This guitar is really built to last, even abuse, if we have the courage.
There is also a binding around the body and therefore not visible except at the wear due to the forearm! It reinforces the impression of quality and it can probably play on the impact resistance of the edges of the body.
Extra jumbo frets obviously pretty well finished at the ends.
The hardware is also relic, a bit dull original. Oxidation and wear will not score. It still it will last and last without moving.
I discovered AD mechanical and Sperzel is a killer. Very practical, no need to do 50 rounds, 1/2 turn only. Very reliable on holding the tuning and very aesthetic. Another success.
About electronics. 3 knobs enough with 3-way selector. 1 microphone volume and tone. The knobs are fairly resistant to rotation. Difficult to cut the volume of a sudden. Only point that might seem strange: the two volumes act recessive when two pickups sound. When you cut or a reduced volume, it cuts or reduces overall volume while the other remains at background. I will find it more convenient to let the independent volumes for each pickup. A little soldering and I will test it one of these days.
Anyway, the routine 50/50 mix between the EMG 60 and 81 is in perfect condition. So do 70/30 or 20/80, playing on volumes of each microphone is not necessarily useful.
The selector "ghost" may also be used for mods config. In fact, the cable ducts are provided. We can therefore replace the switch activated by a knob at the bottom and connect the switch from the top to become the true selector. This is great!
UTILIZATION
The handle, always with the matt varnish is quick and pleasant. The sleeves are specific ergonomics ESP (U "end"), very comfortable in all types of play
I just noted a micro defect in the application of varnish (ESP LTD and not, presumably) as a small grain is not seen but we feel the touch in one place on the back of the neck.
This can be confusing, it is again made to wear the sander at the headstock. As luck at the second fret. Curious for hetfieldienne scratch o). On mine it's almost a little digging. The wood is a little attacked but also the underlay fact that feel no variation between the varnish and wood. And it is absolutely not annoying to use. The guy at the sander may be due a little sleep or was revered for being confused with his wife the night before?
Access to acute is easy even though we would have liked 24 cases. Finally it was no longer a signature. And I doubt the easy accessibility of the 24th fret
One problem with the handle in my opinion is the narrowness of the headstock. When one is great (and I have not the big tubes at your fingertips), it is almost difficult to make a clean agreement on all the strings. on the other hand do not worry about what it is for the power chords on two or three strings.
The weight is light enough for mahogany. It is just over 3 kg. It is very well distributed.
About body shape is not as ergonomic as a type strat sitting. Indeed, the recess of the body that houses the leg is rather forward, forcing the arm to put back a little and can fatigue over time when the door on the right leg (for right ).
Standing nothing to say, but it does not facilitate the installation angle of the forearm which are also found on the type strat. This however, is not annoying, it is very well positioned.
Finally sound, SOUND, SOUND, it really is at the top. The EMG 81 on the mahogany, it sounds much better than on alder (and I have a custom MII). I rode with 10-52 remaining yet granted and I go there for the palm-mute version of H-bomb
SOUNDS
On microphones, it is understood Sir Hetfield when we tasted this config. No need to say more, there are plenty of opinions on the EMG 60 and 81.
You can play with a lot of style, even if you do not EMG for nothing ... This is mainly due to 60 gives versatility. After it is obviously impossible to have the sound of a single coil pickup in the bridge position.
The transition from 60 to 81 is very fluid and a lot more balanced between a 81 and 85 for example.
The mix EMG 60 +81 sets is really a killer. It provides all the roundness and warmth that is sometimes lacking at 81 for a change of style. The sound is dominated by the 81, but 60 brings something extra that you can not imagine playing it alone. With this mix, and probably thanks to the mahogany is approached in terms of sound of passive pickups keeping the exceptional accuracy and attack active EMG. Great for solos in my opinion. And I prefer to mix EMG 85 posittion handle for example.
The sustain is one of the best I've heard, thank you also to EMG coming out until the last vibration of the strings. And when it vibrates more, no parasite, nothing.
For sounds that can be drawn. I think we have a good pulling rope to make the most of the mahogany. Set of 10 very minimum. 11 or a hybrid like what I use would be ideal for low spit it right.
Then listen to Metallica from Justice to hear the sounds that can be drawn from the EMG. This guitar is made to get the best. I would add that we are not obliged to full effect on the EMG 60 for a great sound. For the 81, no how. Distortion!
on the other hand attention EMG are so precise, that any approximation, any parasitic friction fingers or plectrum to hear full pot! Beginners beware!
OVERALL OPINION
This is my 6th guitar.
I have since early 2013.
A value for money really good. It is more expensive than the LTD EC 1000 but has the great advantage of being hyper-resistant test of time and lose less value in use. No need to wait 10 years to realize. It also has better scalability with five holes for a Gibson knobs and other switches.
I did not finish my custom ESP MII or sonic accuracy (alder vs mahogany, too), but the strength, sound quality, accessories, versatility and violin did not put away in a register a slightly different course.
I also bought for failing to "use" my jewelry too.
Certainly it is not cut out for the shred, but the frets ESP monstrous and EMG, we will not be far.
For all that we find difficult is rhythmic better at this price.
In addition it will be easily customizable.
A LTD (almost) worthy of ESP.
Not ready to sell it!
All mahogany.
I think every Truckster even LTD, is unique, because I have not seen one with the same wear patterns. The stroke sander should undoubtedly be given by hand. It is very successful on mine.
Three layers of different matt varnish, and more, I suppose, of a pore mouth of mahogany! In places sanding to give relic finish reached the wood.
Then we can see a good quality grain and no defects in the fiber orientation.
What impresses me is the quality of the polish. It is indestructible (or almost). Nothing to do with any gloss that will leave a mark or scratch at the slightest friction or shock. Including on high-end guitars.
This guitar is really built to last, even abuse, if we have the courage.
There is also a binding around the body and therefore not visible except at the wear due to the forearm! It reinforces the impression of quality and it can probably play on the impact resistance of the edges of the body.
Extra jumbo frets obviously pretty well finished at the ends.
The hardware is also relic, a bit dull original. Oxidation and wear will not score. It still it will last and last without moving.
I discovered AD mechanical and Sperzel is a killer. Very practical, no need to do 50 rounds, 1/2 turn only. Very reliable on holding the tuning and very aesthetic. Another success.
About electronics. 3 knobs enough with 3-way selector. 1 microphone volume and tone. The knobs are fairly resistant to rotation. Difficult to cut the volume of a sudden. Only point that might seem strange: the two volumes act recessive when two pickups sound. When you cut or a reduced volume, it cuts or reduces overall volume while the other remains at background. I will find it more convenient to let the independent volumes for each pickup. A little soldering and I will test it one of these days.
Anyway, the routine 50/50 mix between the EMG 60 and 81 is in perfect condition. So do 70/30 or 20/80, playing on volumes of each microphone is not necessarily useful.
The selector "ghost" may also be used for mods config. In fact, the cable ducts are provided. We can therefore replace the switch activated by a knob at the bottom and connect the switch from the top to become the true selector. This is great!
UTILIZATION
The handle, always with the matt varnish is quick and pleasant. The sleeves are specific ergonomics ESP (U "end"), very comfortable in all types of play
I just noted a micro defect in the application of varnish (ESP LTD and not, presumably) as a small grain is not seen but we feel the touch in one place on the back of the neck.
This can be confusing, it is again made to wear the sander at the headstock. As luck at the second fret. Curious for hetfieldienne scratch o). On mine it's almost a little digging. The wood is a little attacked but also the underlay fact that feel no variation between the varnish and wood. And it is absolutely not annoying to use. The guy at the sander may be due a little sleep or was revered for being confused with his wife the night before?
Access to acute is easy even though we would have liked 24 cases. Finally it was no longer a signature. And I doubt the easy accessibility of the 24th fret
One problem with the handle in my opinion is the narrowness of the headstock. When one is great (and I have not the big tubes at your fingertips), it is almost difficult to make a clean agreement on all the strings. on the other hand do not worry about what it is for the power chords on two or three strings.
The weight is light enough for mahogany. It is just over 3 kg. It is very well distributed.
About body shape is not as ergonomic as a type strat sitting. Indeed, the recess of the body that houses the leg is rather forward, forcing the arm to put back a little and can fatigue over time when the door on the right leg (for right ).
Standing nothing to say, but it does not facilitate the installation angle of the forearm which are also found on the type strat. This however, is not annoying, it is very well positioned.
Finally sound, SOUND, SOUND, it really is at the top. The EMG 81 on the mahogany, it sounds much better than on alder (and I have a custom MII). I rode with 10-52 remaining yet granted and I go there for the palm-mute version of H-bomb
SOUNDS
On microphones, it is understood Sir Hetfield when we tasted this config. No need to say more, there are plenty of opinions on the EMG 60 and 81.
You can play with a lot of style, even if you do not EMG for nothing ... This is mainly due to 60 gives versatility. After it is obviously impossible to have the sound of a single coil pickup in the bridge position.
The transition from 60 to 81 is very fluid and a lot more balanced between a 81 and 85 for example.
The mix EMG 60 +81 sets is really a killer. It provides all the roundness and warmth that is sometimes lacking at 81 for a change of style. The sound is dominated by the 81, but 60 brings something extra that you can not imagine playing it alone. With this mix, and probably thanks to the mahogany is approached in terms of sound of passive pickups keeping the exceptional accuracy and attack active EMG. Great for solos in my opinion. And I prefer to mix EMG 85 posittion handle for example.
The sustain is one of the best I've heard, thank you also to EMG coming out until the last vibration of the strings. And when it vibrates more, no parasite, nothing.
For sounds that can be drawn. I think we have a good pulling rope to make the most of the mahogany. Set of 10 very minimum. 11 or a hybrid like what I use would be ideal for low spit it right.
Then listen to Metallica from Justice to hear the sounds that can be drawn from the EMG. This guitar is made to get the best. I would add that we are not obliged to full effect on the EMG 60 for a great sound. For the 81, no how. Distortion!
on the other hand attention EMG are so precise, that any approximation, any parasitic friction fingers or plectrum to hear full pot! Beginners beware!
OVERALL OPINION
This is my 6th guitar.
I have since early 2013.
A value for money really good. It is more expensive than the LTD EC 1000 but has the great advantage of being hyper-resistant test of time and lose less value in use. No need to wait 10 years to realize. It also has better scalability with five holes for a Gibson knobs and other switches.
I did not finish my custom ESP MII or sonic accuracy (alder vs mahogany, too), but the strength, sound quality, accessories, versatility and violin did not put away in a register a slightly different course.
I also bought for failing to "use" my jewelry too.
Certainly it is not cut out for the shred, but the frets ESP monstrous and EMG, we will not be far.
For all that we find difficult is rhythmic better at this price.
In addition it will be easily customizable.
A LTD (almost) worthy of ESP.
Not ready to sell it!