LTD EX-401

The ESP LTD EX-401 is one of the newer explorer style bodies that LTD has released. This is for those who don't want to shell out the money for the expensive ESP model but still want a decent guitar. This guitar features a mahogany body with a maple set neck, a rosewood fretboard with 22 extra jumbo frets, dot inlays with the name at the 12th fret, a TOM hardtail bridge, two humbuckers, one volume, one tone and a three way switch.

UTILIZATION

The guitar is built pretty nicely considering its price. The fretwork wasn't perfectly rounded on the ends, but it was smooth enough to where it doesn't cut your hand when sliding up and down the neck. The finish itself was done pretty nicely, although I think it was a bit thick. This is a common issue I have with LTD guitars, but that's just kinda how they are. The frets themselves were fairly level, so no real issue with high or low frets when it came to moderate action. I also like that they used real EMGs, too.

SOUNDS

The guitar sounded very nice and resonant. The EMG 81 in the bridge has a great aggressive attack that worked nicely with the mahogany body. The maple neck helped add some bite, and the rosewood fretboard helped keep the super high presence under control. The EMG 60 in the neck worked out nicely for clean tones, and the lead tones gave this single coil kinda sound. However, I much prefer the EMG 85 in the bridge as it's fatter and more powerful. It's easier to do real fast legato lines with the EMG 85 than the EMG 60, in my experience.

OVERALL OPINION

If you're looking for a more extreme looking explorer style body and don't want to shell out the cash for a more expensive ESP, this guitar is a pretty good alternative. It was resonant, it had real EMG pickups, the fretwork wasn't bad, and the finish, albeit thick, wasn't too terrible. I'd definitely consider this as a nice gigging guitar.

Factory in Indonesia
Mahogany body
Channel al in Maple
Rosewood fingerboard
Pitch of 628.7 mm
Nut width 42 mm
Neck profile end in "U"
22 XJ frets
Black nickel hardware
Mcaniques Grover
TOM bridge and tailpiece
1 bridge pickup EMG 81 neck pickup EMG 60 1
Finish: Olympic White

USE

Very good ergonomics, you never grabs the mic slecteir playing
Channel super enjoyable, good access to acute. The jumbu frets are well polished. Lightweight trend nosedive but not the kind of thing that makes the game stand unbearable. To get a good sound, must be done once and for all a reality: an electronic active does not function as a passive electronics. A time an adaptation is necessary. Reasonable weight despite the size of the body.

SONORITS

clais sounds a little dry if left tonalot the background. Again not be afraid to turn the volume buttons and tonality. They can change a lot in the sound. May sle area of ​​this guitar are of course are saturs. I just spent an evening complte explore this area and I'm not done must also say that I am helped: with Blackstar HT Dual and Dist-X, we can not complain. Anyway, in clear or saturation with this guitar makes you want to play prcis

NOTICE GLOBAL

Bought this after noon. I tried the EC in 1000, the Viper but also not convinced.
Good quality price (620 euros with the flight). What I like least? The tui, which like all the holsters to explore is a crazy place, but a good part of the charm of the instrument nous.Refaire say this choice? Ben let me time to use a little ...

Made in Indonesia
Mahogany body
Maple set neck
Rosewood
Pitch of 628.7 mm
Nut width 42 mm
Profile handle end in the form of "U"
22 XJ frets
Black hardware nickel
Grover
TOM bridge and tailpiece
1 EMG 81 bridge pickup, 1 EMG 60 neck pickup
Finish: Olympic White

UTILIZATION

Very good ergonomics, no mug ever sélecteir micro playing
Channel super nice, good access to treble. Jumbu the frets are well polished. Slight tendency to pitch nose but not the kind of thing that makes the game stand unbearable. To get a good sound, should be done once and for all a reality: active electronics do not function as a passive electronics. Time an adaptation is necessary. Reasonable weight despite the size of the body.

SOUNDS

Clais sounds a bit dry if you let the tonaloté thoroughly. Again not be afraid to turn the volume and tone knobs. They can change a lot in the sound. Sle in May of this field are scratching the course are saturated. I just spent a full evening to explore this area and I'll still have to say that I am helped: with Blackstar HT Dual and Dist-X, we can not complain. Anyway, in clear or saturated, with this guitar makes me want to play specific
Update 24/06/2010: The EMG81 was a little dry for my taste, too much "surgery". I replaced it with a 85, a bit more bass and midrange. Me I found myself better. This mic has a huge potato. Occasionally I'll put 81 in the handle, it should be interesting. In addition EMG has a very practical system connection, so why miss out? I put one more point after the change of micro!

OVERALL OPINION

Bought it this afternoon. I tried the EC 1000, the Viper also not convinced.
Good value for money (620 euros with the flight). What I like least? The case, which like all cases to explore is playing an insane but hey it's part of the charm of the instrument nous.Refaire say that choice? Ben let me time to use a little ...