Hi friends... I've been looking around for a decent $400 - 500 guitar... I've abandoned the Les Paul/Carvin idea for the time being since they are going to run $900 - $1200 and there are plently of NICE guitars out there for less. One that I'm interested in is the ESP EC-1000. Does anyone have any experience with this guitar? It seems like it might be perfect for me... it is already "tricked out" with Duncan pickups, Sperzel locking tuners, Tone-Pros bridge, 24 frets, and an earvana nut. Looks like used ones can be had for around $500 - 600.
Here is a picture:
Another option would be the step down version, which is the EC-400 in goldtop. It has the same stuff with no abalone binding and no tone-pros bridge. Also has regular Grover tuners instead of Sperzel locking tuners. These go for $600 new, probably $400 used.
And finally... the Washburn Idol Wi-66. It has similar hardware to the ESP, although they tend to sell at a slightly higher price...
Any suggestions?
-=- Steve
"If the moon were made of ribs, would you eat it?"
I don't know about the guitars....
But ya gotta give me more cowbell, baby!
I got the fever! :D
:wink:
Ken
"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway
"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles
lol
I don't know anything about them either, but going just by looks..lol, I'd go with the 1st or the 3rd. :roll: Kinda meaningless advice, I know.
That third guitar is real, real sexy. I like it. >_>
the Washburn has a more individual rather than clone styling. I like that.
the control postions are similar on the first two. the controls on the Washburn are different.
that might be something to consider.
both makers are entry level. that is probably acceptable in your price range.
consider the weight of the guitars. what woods are involved? how is the sustain, unplugged?
have you tried them? or are you buying on line?
I suggest finding them in a stiore and doing a hands on. the right guitar will make itself known to you.
have fun.
Are you totally against Epiphone ? Some of their mid-priced LP's are sweet looking and sounding guitars in their own right ( judging from the reviews I've read on Musiciansfriend.com) .They would fall right in your price range .
If I claim to be a wise man , it surely means that I don't know .
Upper Range Agiles?
Who needs a signature?
I mean really...
It's almost always lyrics...
or a cliche...
or garbage about me...
Lets just save YOU from the pain, ok?
Here's the best guitar you can buy for $500...IMHO>
Bish
"I play live as playing dead is harder than it sounds!"
Bish - I read about that PRS a while back.
It got great reviews, as did the (soapbar SE...?) model.
That one has p90 single coils.
Ken
"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway
"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles
You might be able to get a used Carvin in that range. The best place to find used Carvin is the "Carvin museum" swap forum. I bought my Carvin Bass there -- it's in excellent condition, a new similar new one would have cost me little more than double.
--vink
"Life is either an adventure or nothing" -- Helen Keller
Schecter makes good guitars in that price range. Carvin museum eh? Oh crap hide my wallet.
Are you totally against Epiphone ? Some of their mid-priced LP's are sweet looking and sounding guitars in their own right ( judging from the reviews I've read on Musiciansfriend.com) .They would fall right in your price range .
Like Diceman says...are you totally against the Chinese Epis ? There's many to choose from.
If that PRS had a version with "gold" hardware, I might look at one myself.....
"A child of five could understand this...send someone to fetch a child of five !"--Groucho Marx
i agree with nick, check out the schecters 8)
even god loves rock-n-roll
i would go with either of those LTDS, but get the ones with active EMG's in then......LTD's are made for metal and hard rock.....so if you play metal it would be killer to get a LTD
Thanks for the posts...
I'm kinda sour on the Chinese Epis. I've played about 20 over the last year and none really played all that well. On the flip side, I've played about 8 Korean guitars during that same time and they were all excellent. Plus, at the $500 price point for the ESP, I'd be getting all high-quality name-brand hardware.
The Schecters are an option, although I must admit that I kinda dig the ESP "off brand but still a name brand" vibe for a LP copy.
I've also thought hard on the Agile, but after you upgrade the hardware you end up at the same price point.
Dog - do you think that the Washburn and ESP are entry level guitars at this price-point? Just curious. I've got to believe that these are upper-mid range guitars, especially with the American Duncan pickups.
I'm going to check out the Carvin Museum right now.
-=- Steve
"If the moon were made of ribs, would you eat it?"
