LTD EX-50

(Originally written by Flo95/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Features:

Agathis body.

22-fret maple neck.

Rosewood fingerboard with jumbo frets.

Pearly dot inlays and model name at the 12th fret.

Two ESP-LH 150 pickups.

Sealed lubricated machine heads.

Black metal parts.

Sealed lubricated machine heads.

Black metal parts.

Tune-o-matic bridge.

3-way toggle switch.

One volume control.

One tone control

Good overall finish except for the jack that comes unscrewed after about one month!

But it's not a problem because it can be easily tightened again!

Great Explorer shape.

UTILIZATION

The neck might seem thick at first but you'll rapidly get used to it.

The frets are too high for my taste and the hand doesn't slide easily on the fingerboard but you'll also get used to that.

Good access to the upper frets even if the last fret is a bit difficult to reach.

This guitar is rather light and comfortable when you play sitting down but the headstock is too heavy when you're standing up. It's a bit annoying in the beginning but it's ok once you find the right position.

Ever since the LH-150 are the standard pickups of this model it sounds much better.

SOUNDS

As a reminder: you get two LH-150 humbuckers (neck and bridge) with a powerful response in the lows!

I told myself I'd get a decent sound with an instrument in this price range. I wanted an Explorer shape and I planned to upgrade the pickups later because I didn't have enough money to buy a real Explorer!

But it surprised me when I plugged it in!

I mainly play modern and classic hard rock and heavy metal, and also some thrash metal. This guitar is perfect for that music style.

I play with a 30 watt Roland Cube and a metal Muff Top Boost.

The clean sound is ok with the neck pickup and you can also get a good blues sound even if the low frequency response is a bit too generous, which leads to some lack of precision.

The combination of both pickups provides an average jazz sound but I never use that configuration.

The bridge pickup provides a powerful but average sound, which can overdrive some clean channels.

But the guitar sounds better with distortion!

The neck pickup provides good lows, perfect for heavy rhythm parts and palm mutes, but the sound turns muddy with a heavy distortion.

This pickup is also very good for playing solos. The sound is quite precise with a nice color but the response is not accurate enough for solos that demand extreme precision.

I never use the mid position.

The bridge pickup sounds good too. The sound is sharper and it sounds amazing with very high distortion settings, just like the neck pickup.

You can get a good heavy metal sound without EQing. That's an important point for me.

The bridge pickup is quite good for playing solos. It's a bit more precise than the neck pickup but it's a bit too sharp!

But if you consider the price of the guitar the sound is great!

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for two months and I'm very satisfied.

The finish is rather good for an instrument in this price range (especially the black heel with chrome plate).

I previously tested lots of guitars, including more famous models, but to me the EX-50 sounds much better than all other ones.

Excellent value for money!

Agathis body
22 frets maple neck
Rosewood
Jumbo frets
Inlaid pearl dot markers with model name at 12th fret
2 pickups ESP LH-150
Mechanical oil bath
Black hardware
Master volume
Master Tone
3 postition selector

Specificity for mine: I removed the tone knob for two independent volumes. As I had so much fun to do, I put 10!

UTILIZATION

Then the WAHOU! I paid € 165 and that price I expected to see a monster like that! The handle is a real highway, the hand does not stick (though the game were sold with a bit sticky ...) and moves quickly, access to acute is very good, this is an explore! Although the last two-three boxes are perhaps a little difficult to access ... And from box 20 on the lower strings, it's not even bother! But hey, I never do!

The shape I was very pleased, actually it's mainly why I bought it ... And what a surprise! In terms of weight, it is a little heavier than my other guitars (a Lag Roxanne, and two other sub-brands of guitars ... Very small!) But it's still very acceptable, I have already made several repetitions of several hours, even once with a stiff neck, and I'm fine out! That is to say!

Against it by an explorer, so obviously, the shape will be boring at some point or another is forced! I had no bag, I can tell you for a walk, I'm tired! I am forced to use an acoustic guitar cover! But I intend to manufacture a flight case in no time!

"Gets it easy to sound good?" Yes! Unlike other guitars I tried, it did frieze nowhere, when not connected, you can hear quite well, the sound is very ... Nice! Nothing to say on this side of!

The only thing I could blame him, it would not have vibrato .... 9 just for that.

SOUNDS

I do not really play much heavy metal, so I just turn away ... But do not believe it is quite versatile! I was told "If you know use it, you can play anything with". I discovered yet, and I can already confirm that one can do many things with! Good heavy progressive rock love songs with a clean sound with a flanger through the punk-edged though, I am always completely satisfied!

I use it on a Fender Roc Pro 700 and the combination is great!

"What kind of sound you get and with what settings (" crystalline "," fat ", ....)?" The I do not really have much to say, try, play a lot on the amp sound, but the acute this guitar are very pronounced, they send the heavy! Serious and will take off your tapestry, if you play against by the metal, put you on the micro serious rhythm and you'll be a hit!
I play more acute, if you want to harmonics, you're going to! With a good amp setting, it is enough to make a good rhythmic punk very sharp with this guitar! On mine I have two independent volumes (handmade) and intermediate I can have a sound very good in removing a little bass, I do not know how to describe it but it's very nice!

I have no sound that I hate, but I am an avid bridge pickup! So I try to use up, there are horizons to explore (no pun intended) on this guitar!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for some months away, and as you say I've spent time, it is absolutely fabulous! As a beginner, I have yet many things to learn, and although I really feel progress in high gear with it!

I tried the Epiphone and Gibson (still exploring!) And I did nothing wrong, it sounds much better! The Epiphones are very nice, in the form also, less aggressive, and as gibson, but the sound of it I was completely mesmerized, so I chose

Initially, as I said, I bought it for form, but ultimately she's great! The handle is unquestionably one of the strengths of this guitar! The selector is not too far to change mid-song, the knobs (one tone, now acute volume on mine) on the other hand is a bit inaccessible at stake, but it's no big deal, I change everything it during the breaks!

The quality / price ... I even speak, to the store to the deficit! At that price, it may be classified as a guitar high-end! The only thing it lacks is a vibrato, but it is minimal ...!

If I were to buy a guitar, I would reiterate that the not, because I would have already, and I will not sell it! But to all those seeking to push the decibels at good prices, I'll surconseille, you will not be disappointed!

"If we know use it, you can play anything with"

Everything has been said already I think ...

UTILIZATION

A highway ... to 22 boxes (it is more than enough!)
Anyway with my little fingers boudinnés, it rolls ...
Better than my Ibanez Xyphos despite the bolt-on neck LTD!

It should move against the anchor of the strap for a good balance and be careful because it above the handle comes off easily.
So setting "final" for the strap and more problems.

As for the finish, beautiful.
This is serious in ESP-LTD.

SOUNDS

The story:

New one starts with laying a 10-52 tie, fine adjustment of the truss-rod gap and microphones. Result: much better than the old BC-Rich Warlock, but ...

I've ridden him in a 2009 DP-159 Evo trestle, the original microphone LH-150 is feeble. And then it sends a very heavy, a little cold but slamming.

By mistake I put the selector in middle position and ... insane!

The DP-159 bridge in combination with LH-150 in the original round pulls out a warm sound full of harmonics and no less punchy than one easel!
A heavy sound which the equalization of the distortion and the parametric eq of the table should be treated ... but awesome!

Well, for against the cleans are still not her thing ... but that's not what you ask!

(EX-50 DP159 +> V-Amp Pro> AW16G)

OVERALL OPINION

The Ibanez Xyphos (who received the same care and settings, yet more fitted to the famous D-Activator DiMarzio!) Would supplant, the EX50 + DP159 was announced ... Well we will do the opposite!

The Xyphos (yet to € 850!) "Gives" and less "sounds" less than that shovel also entry level with its handle and screwed this little magic mike!
Incredible.

My friends are fighting over my poor guitar, which they also have other Xyphos Jackson Warrior with their own set of EMG active ... even a RR24 ...

Moral: go buy yourself an EX-50, an F-50 or any other ESP LTD equipped with LH-150, paste it a DP-159 or D-Activator in the bridge, set the switch in the middle and ... GAAAZZ!
You should end up on your ass.