LTD H-400 [2004-2006]

• SET-THRU CONSTRUCTION
• 25.5” SCALE
• MAHOGANY BODY W/FLAMED MAPLE TOP
• 3-PIECE MAPLE NECK
• ROSEWOOD FINGERBOARD
• DOT INLAYS W/MODEL NAME AT 12TH FRET
• SEYMOUR DUNCAN JB (B) / 59 (N) ZEBRA PICKUPS
• VOLUME & TONE CONTROLS W/5-WAY ULTRASWITCH
• BLACK HARDWARE
• GROVER TUNERS
• EARVANA COMPENSATED NUT
• TUNE-O-MATIC BRIDGE W/STOP TAILPIECE
• NATURAL BINDING ON BODY: WHITE BINDING ON NECK & HEADSTOCK
• 24 XJ FRETS

UTILIZATION

When I was a kid, I really wanted to get some of the nice custom ESP guitars I saw in all the guitar magazines. I got really excited when I found out they were making a lower-cost line called LTD, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on some. This H400 was the first guitar I tried from them, and I'm impressed! The fit and finish are excellent for this price class, and the guitar plays very well. This is a handsome instrument, and LTD has done a lot to make this a great player as well.

SOUNDS

The guitar comes pre-loaded with some of my favorite pickups anyways, so of course it sounds great! Acoustically, it is bright and resonant, so that translates into the pickups as well. The JB and 59 are a fantastic pickup combo from Seymour Duncan - the resulting tones are crisp, clear, and bold. The neck pickup sounds a lot like an old Gibson PAF, and the bridge pickup is cutting without being too aggressive. This guitar could excel in literally any genre that uses an electric guitar.

OVERALL OPINION

I like this axe all the way around. It looks fantastic, sounds great, and plays very well. LTD impressed me with this guitar, and so I've tried a lot of others since. I haven't always been happy with all of their models, but that is something to be expected. This particular guitar was a great idea, and the construction was flawlessly executed, so I'll give the guitar a 9 overall.