Les Paul-like guitars by ESP?

[PekkaM]

I'm always on a lookout for a nice fixed bridge guitar and I just noticed this ESP LTD Deluxe:

http://www.espguitars.com/html/ec-1000stbc.html

It looks very nice to me and price is not bad (compared to real LP anyway). Can you say anything about the quality and playability of these? Would that give me a nice Zakk Wylde kind of tone with lots of harmonics?

Another one I saw in a shop here yesterday was this Kelly Hayes K-500 model:

http://www.espguitars.com/html/kellyhayes_ltd.html

Other than the spiders it looks great too. How do those pups compare to the EMG-81's?

[motogod927]

I would stay away from the LTD and go with the regular ESP .

[PekkaM]

Originally Posted by motogod927

I would stay away from the LTD and go with the regular ESP .

You mean the signature models? I saw no other ESP's on their webpage and the prices on those were pretty wild

Is the general quoality bad or what? Pup's are quality (are those real EMG's on the K-500?) and EC-1000 has great reviews on HC (I just trust people here more cause people on HC tend to praise everything they've bought and give little explanation ).

[Globbits]

Dude, the EC-1000-EMG-81s, locking bridge, Mahogany body, 24 frets??? It's a super Les Paul!! About 3 times a cheap as a Zakk Wylde! Go for it!!

[PekkaM]

Originally Posted by Globbits

Dude, the EC-1000-EMG-81s, locking bridge, Mahogany body, 24 frets??? It's a super Les Paul!! About 3 times a cheap as a Zakk Wylde! Go for it!!

That's what I thought too On the other hand I've heard bad things about LTD's and someone mentioned in HC that ESP's are back in production. What did that mean? I see only LTD's, LTD Deluxe's and Signatures (the last ones say ESP on their headstock with no LTD). Are the signatures only ones not made in Korea (not that it really matters)?

[replica]

Man, you should take a look at some of their Japan-market stuff! It's wild and crazy!

[Texter]

That Kirk Hammett thing with the spider on it was kinda like a Les Paul model with a Floyd on it. The Dread Spider...scary

Oh I just saw they still make those...I wonder why

[BucketBot]

Man, put a humbucker in the bridge of the red one and that would be one of the sweetest Les Paul style guitars ever!

[jem777az]

On the other hand I've heard bad things about LTD's and someone mentioned in HC that ESP's are back in production. What did that mean? I see only LTD's, LTD Deluxe's and Signatures (the last ones say ESP on their headstock with no LTD). Are the signatures only ones not made in Korea (not that it really matters)?

For the new year 2003 ESP is releasing a few custom shop non-LTD models such as a custom shope Eclipse, Viper, etc. They list for almost $3800 which is insane. The LTD's are made in Korea where the regular ESP models and non-LTD signature models are made in Japan. The LTD signature models are also made in Korea.

The EC-1000 is a great guitar for the price, even if it is made in Korea. It plays beautifully and sounds great for a guitar in that price range. ESP is releasing another version of the EC-1000 for 2003. The differences are the new model will be in Amber Sunburst and instead of EMG's it will have Seymour Duncans. But the great thing is that the Amber Sunburst will be priced about $699 or less (dealer price). The other two EC-1000 models in See-Thru Black Cherry and Black (these have EMG's) are priced about $899 and $839. So basically for about $200 less you can get the same guitar with Duncans instead of EMG's. A smokin deal! There's a pic of the Amber Sunburst model on Musician's Friend already.

[pawel]

The new ESP looks pretty sweet, the only thing i don't like about the new EC 1000's is the excessive binding, i think it's a bit too much...

[PekkaM]

Originally Posted by jem777az

ESP is releasing another version of the EC-1000 for 2003. The differences are the new model will be in Amber Sunburst and instead of EMG's it will have Seymour Duncans. But the great thing is that the Amber Sunburst will be priced about $699 or less (dealer price). The other two EC-1000 models in See-Thru Black Cherry and Black (these have EMG's) are priced about $899 and $839. So basically for about $200 less you can get the same guitar with Duncans instead of EMG's. A smokin deal! There's a pic of the Amber Sunburst model on Musician's Friend already.

Sounds really great value but I kinda would like to have EMG's (although the price difference really is large...). Well I'm not buying anything right now (gotta save some money first) so let's wait and see.

[PekkaM]

I just found ESP's Japan site Fabuolus looking axes but their prices start where Ibanez ends with RG9670! All those Japanese artist's signature models where prices may go well over one million Yens

What is the deal with ESP? Are the LTD's like the only exported ones besides ESP signatures... So many models only for Japanese market

[kent]

Could someone please post the ESP Japan site address?

[PekkaM]

Originally Posted by kent

Could someone please post the ESP Japan site address?

http://www.espguitars.net/

as opposed to

http://www.espguitars.com/ which is the American one.

[Akhenaten]

If I'm not mistaken the Hammett models that are Les Paul shaped are actually flat, not a carved top like the Gibsons...just in case that matters. I have one of the Ouija KH-2's but have never picked up a Kh-3 in person...