LTD Hybrid-400

SPECS:
• SET-NECK CONSTRUCTION
• 24.75” SCALE
• MAHOGANY BODY
• 3-PIECE MAHOGANY NECK
• ROSEWOOD FINGERBOARD
• FLAG INLAYS W/MODEL NAME AT 12TH FRET
• SEYMOUR DUNCAN JB (B) & QUARTER POUND RHYTHM (N) PICKUPS
• VOLUME CONTROL, TONE CONTROL
W/PUSH-PULL COIL TAP & 3-WAY TOGGLE
• CHROME HARDWARE
• EARVANA COMPENSATED NUT
• GROVER TUNERS
• TRADITIONAL FLAT MOUNT BRIDGE W/STRING-THRU-BODY
• WHITE BINDING ON NECK & HEADSTOCK
• 22 EXTRA JUMBO FRETS FRETS

UTILIZATION

This guitar is fantastic. It is basically a Telecaster combined with a Les Paul Junior double cutaway model, and the result is pure joy. The woods, shape of the body, scale length, and set neck 22 fret construction is akin to the older double cutaway LP Jr guitars, yet the bridge, neck pickup, and control layout are very reminiscent of an old Fender Tele. The worksmanship and playability of the guitar is excellent.

SOUNDS

This guitar, as one could guess, can sound very similar to a Les Paul or a Tele. The bridge pickup is a Duncan JB, which is one of my favorites - it offers attack and clarity without being overly aggressive. It sounds like a great Les Paul pickup in this guitar. The neck pickup is a Duncan Quarter Pound Rhythm, which has the smooth warmth capability that older Telecasters have. This axe has a nice sustain, and can cut for rhythms or sing for leads, in a variety of genres.

OVERALL OPINION

I'll be honest - I love this guitar. It's a simple, no frills model, but it is so satisfying to play. The only thing I'm not a fan of is the waving flag-shaped inlays. I feel like they look a bit tacky, and that's sad on this otherwise incredible-looking instrument. However, that's the only flaw, and it's very minor. The rest of this guitar is extremely cool. I don't believe LTD currently offers this model, but I hope they bring it back for 2012.