Strat/ESP/Warmoth questions

[screamndemon69]

ESP put out a sig LTD (and ESP version) MW600 (Michael Wilton Strat) last winter with the same basic specs as the USA Strat (which is no longer made by Fender - only the MIM is avaible) but with a few upgrades:
Original Floyd
Seymour JB (bridge)
Locking Sperzels (weird as it has a locking nut as well?)

they both are adler bodied, HSS, maple neck and of course tremmed. i like the rear route of the ESP version and i actually like the graphics (80's metal child). i have seen a few USA Strats w/ Floyds used fetch more than the LTD version of the same guitar. i'm a player, not a collector.
i priced out an average version w/ an unfinished body of the same specs (rear routed, Floyd route, alder) and not including a real factory finish i came up with a very close price on the Warmoth version using all their parts.
has anyone played the MW600? i searched on the ESP forum and very little info and no reviews for that model.
i currently don't own a Strat anymore and wish to add a Floyd style Strat to my stable sometime this year. any thoughts on these or which might be the best value for a players guitar? i have thought about the MIM version that is still available but worry about it not being the quality i desire as a pro player.
any experience or thoughts would be helpful deciding which way to go.

[rty13ibz98]

i have seen that axe on harmony central. i love queensryche and i really dig that axe. although my favorite guitar of his was the graffitti one from the empire video, not the skulls one. i think you will dig that axe if you get it. the ltd quality in the upper end stuff is really outstanding, being that it is from korea. don't forget to check the japan esp site as well.

rich

[screamndemon69]

i checked harmony central (not recently - kept getting server issues?) and didn't see it there - that was the first place i went. the 2nd place was the ESP forum and they had nothing to say about it other than opinions on the finish (no offense to anyone but they seeemed to have alot of 16yr olds posting comments with zero depth or thought to the posts).
if i bought the Warmoth parts and built this guitar i would have a home sprayed finish (amateur all the way) and the LTD version has a finish i actually like (the Japanese version skulls glow in the dark - kinda cool i think - again i'm an 80's child). i am just not a big fan of a the front routed body with the big ugly Strat pickguard but i know the quality of the USA Strats and i also think the MIM version is good quality for almost half the price (or 1/4 of the price if i went to the 'Bay to get one).
maybe i'm splitting hairs? anyone else have any info or opinions (on anything other than "the skulls are tacky"?)?

[screamndemon69]

i just checked the reviews on harmony and still no posts about the ESP model. did you see it in the clssifieds or something? i saw one parted out recently on the 'Bay and the parts and body brought good money since they are using quality stuff. i would rather buy it whole and new if i went that route.

[RSVampire]

if you like the paint on the ESP and it's roughly the same price as the Warmoth, I would just get the ESP because it's already painted, setup and ready to go. If you want to do a custom paint job or do a couple of things different (aka the tuners, floyd bridge from another company, different pickups) then get the Warmoth. They are both very nice instruments. No offense to anyone but you gotta pay an arm and a leg for a nice Fender or a nice Gibson these days. It's better to get another company for those aka Warmoth (or millions of others) or Heritage.

[screamndemon69]

thanks for your thoughts. you hit it on the head with my train of thought on this but the only head scratcher is finding someone that has actually played the MW600. from past experience with higher end LTD stuff i don't feel too nervous buying sight unseen or played. it would still be nice to hear from anyone who has actually played one.
i have alot of respect for good quality finishes after all the refinishing i've been trying lately and having little luck (so far). if i bought a Warmoth, i would prefer a body that is already finished unless i just gave it a clearcoat - i've actually had luck with a foam brush and Minwax clear laquer but i haven't had much luck yet on paints.
i'm assuming noone around here has tried this guitar and i haven't found anyone reviewing it anywhere else. so unless anyone has anymore input or solid info on the MW600, this thread is most likely a dead one at this point.
when i do take the plunge for the MW600, i will post my reviews on as many different sites as possible.