LTD JH-600 Jeff Hanneman

This guitar is a lot closer to the actual signature model that Jeff uses. In fact, it's very close to the normal ESP one, and it's a great deal for those looking for a quality guitar without the huge price tag. The guitar features an alder body (we call them "wings" as it's a neck-thru guitar), a maple neck with an ebony fretboard, 24 extra jumbo frets, unique inlays, a Kahler bridge, binding, two EMG humbuckers, one volume, one tone and a three way switch.

UTILIZATION

The overall build quality of this is pretty good. The frets are in good shape, and they were finished quite nicely. The ends aren't as nice as the normal ESP standard series, but you're getting what you're paying for. It's still good, and there aren't any issues with them cutting up your hand every time you go up and down the neck. The guitar itself was a bit heavy given its neck-thru construction, but it isn't too bad. The biggest issue with this guitar is that it has a Kahler bridge. These bridges feel very odd, and I can't get over how they dull the overall tone of the guitar.

SOUNDS

The guitar sounded pretty good thanks to the EMGs. The guitar had an EMG 81 in the bridge and an EMG 85 in the neck. The EMG 81 in the bridge delivered a great tone for metal. It's bright with tons of harmonics, and it cuts through even the densest mix out there. Some people dislike how bright it can be, and I understand that, but it works awesome in a recording or live setting. The EMG 85 in the neck is super fat, and you can get some sick lead tones out of it. Clean tones are a bit dull sounding, maybe even a bit hi-fi sounding, but they're not too terrible if you add some effects to it.

OVERALL OPINION

The guitar is pretty good considering the price. You get a lot for your money. If these came with a different bridge, I would look into possibly buying one. They're pretty cool, and I have been a big time Slayer fan for years. I just can't get over how bad this bridge is...

This is the newer version of the Jeff Hanneman signature. This is the LTD version. LTD is ESP's budget line of guitars which are made outside of Japan. Since these guitars are made outside of Japan they are much cheaper than ESP's Japan models even though they usually have the same exact specs. This guitar is a pretty normal ESP MII. This guitar is a textbook super shredder and even has some vintage touches. The guitar has an alder body with a neck through maple neck. The neck has a super thin u shape. The neck has an ebony fretboard with 24 jumbo frets. The fretboard has H and Dagger inlays. Up top there are Grover tuners and down at the bottom is an old school Kahler floating tremolo with a locking nut. The pickups are active EMG with an 81 in the bridge and an 85 in the neck. The controls are simple with a volume and tone with a 3 way toggl.e

UTILIZATION

The most unusual part of this guitar is the Khaler tremolo. You do not see these much anymore. They were popular in the 80s along with the Floyd Rose but the Floyd eventually won out as the preferred tremolo system. With the Kahler you get basically the same thing but it has different feel to it and it is a bit more robust which is why Slayer uses them. If you are really into working your trem hard a Khaler is the way to go. The guitar plays great like you would expect an ESP shredder to. The neck is thin and the fretboard is flat and the frets are big. This lets you get a super low action on the strings. The ebony fretboard feels great under your fingers. The binding on the neck makes the edge of the neck nice and comfortable and helps prevent sharp fret ends. The locking nut keeps everything in tune. ESP includes a battery compartment so you can quickly change out the battery for the EMG pickups without having to open the whole guitar up.

SOUNDS

This guitar has a classic shred guitar sound. The alder body with maple neck is pure 80s. The EMG pickups complement this well. This guitar cuts like crazy. It has a bright and clear tone. When you are playing a million notes a minute like Slayer does you need this to keep the sound crisp. The 81 is a super sharp bridge pickup. It has a lot of high end with a good bottom end so it doesnt sound thin. It has a grinding high end kind of gain that makes it great for the bridge position on guitars. The 85 is like the 81 but it is a bit smoother. This makes it better for lead playing in the neck where the 81 would sound too harsh. The 85 sound perfect there so your leads are nice and smooth.

OVERALL OPINION

This really is an old school shred guitar. With the alder body and Khaler trem you get an 80s sound and feel from the guitar. This is great if you are into old school thrash and speed metal where you need a guitar just as fast as you. The bright tone from the guitar will cut through the most devestating double bass you will ever experiance. If you are looking for a shred guitar with a cutting old school tone ESP has got you covered. If you are looking for a more modern sounding shred guitar this guitar may be too bright for you. ESP has other models similar to this that come with mahogany bodies that will have a more subtle sound.

- Made in Korea (like all the LTD)
- 2 humbucker EMG Active brand (81 to 85 in bridge and neck position)
- A volume knob, one tone knob and a 3 position switch (Les Paul style)
- Floyd Rose Original
- Neck-maple, ebony fingerboard, 24 jumbo frets, white binding around the neck and head
- Maple body

UTILIZATION

The handle is very nice. A bit larger than the Ibanez Wizard II, it is especially more round the back (it's nice, matter of taste). But it's still close, I assure you, it's not a pickaxe handle. It is also Assé wide. Small hands will probably do more to keep well. The frets are super polished (this is rare), bravo! The ebony fingerboard is very pleasant to the touch like the back of the neck that is painted like the rest of the guitar, that is, in black. Access to acute is impeccable as it is a race driver. This is a handle that facilitates fast, fingers fly over!
The ergonomics of the guitar is good because it has a strat-like shape. The only downside is that it is Assé heavy compared to my Ibanez. This is because it is entirely in maple.

SOUNDS

I mainly play metal and this guitar, only the metal.
I play an Engl Powerball head on a cabinet Engl 4x12 V30 and through a Boss GT-8.
Distortion in the sound is very accurate because of the maple and EMG. The EMG81 made a big sound full of harmonics, full of sin and always very accurate. And then there's this very particular grain of EMG ("cold mechanical" style well suited to metal). The EMG 85 is warmer and more versatile. The sustain on the other hand is excellent! Thank you handle driver and EMG!
In clean it is better to use the 85 because the 81 delivers a really steep.
In short, it all sounds very good and very metal ... but it's a little classical ... Long time is used to this kind of sound. It is a combination honed since the early 90s and widespread ... but time passes and the gear changing ... and I advise you to read my opinion on the DiMarzio D Activator ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years
+ What I like: the handle driver's EMG, sustain, Floyd's, its look
What I like least: this kind of guitar is very (too) fashion (hardcore), finish (varnish) is a little worse than Ibanez (Ibanez should be said that the issue is really nickel finish)
The quality / price is ok for a neck-guitar + EMG. But again Ibanez can do better ..
I would do this choice: 1) to vary the pleasures (my other guitars are all Ibanez), 2) because it is a very good metal guitar, 3) for its looks. But probably I would hesitate with the M-1000 LTD Deluxe is also very beautiful and I feel a bit better at the finish (painted).