http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-Deluxe-EC1000-Electric-Guitar?sku=516629
This guitar has caught my eye lately, and I was hoping to find a few people who have played it or own it. It seems to have garnered great reviews overall. However, the one thing I've seen a few people say about it is that it cannot be adequately drop-tuned (in my case, I would be concerned about drop-C tuning). I've been trying to teach myself guitar for about 8 months now (as time allows with school and work), and find myself enjoying mostly playing rock, metal, and a bit of the cleaner/acoustic parts of some metal bands (songs like Patterns in the Ivy by Opeth come to mind).
So mostly I was wondering, for those who are informed:
-Is this guitar worthy of the slightly hefty price?
-Would drop-C tuning be hard to do? (10 or 11 gauge strings)
-If you've played it or own it, do you like it a lot?
-Is that EMG-60 pickup decent for cleans?
Looking forward to a response. I appreciate any insight you guys could offer me!
Some comments:
ESP-LTD makes good guitars.
EMG 81/60 pups are probably not going to sound as nice when played clean as the Duncan JB/51s option available on the sunburst. But it's all going to come down to personal pref. The EMGs are designed for high output and overdrive -- that's usually a metal or hard rock characteristic, and obviously something you want. Being active pups, the EMGs also are very quiet (low hum), something that is very good for high gain playing.
The 24.75 in scale may well be too short for good drop C without going to a really heavy gauge low "E." A 25.5 in scale guitar would be better. A 25.5 in scale guitar is going to be a Fender or some sort of super-Strat by Jackson, Kramer, Ibanez or similar -- a completely different type of guitar.
-=tension & release=-
If you are considering the non-EMG guitar, check this one out. It is an EC-400, which is basically the same guitar, but cheaper:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-EC400VF?sku=512884
I've had the best results with down-tuning w/ the longer scale neck (25.5) and heavier strings (.11s, GHS Boomers are excellent).
I'm only a beginner but I bought an EC-500 last year and only kept it for a few months. I really did not like those active pups - can't really say why, but I developed a real hate for them and couldn't bring myself to play the guitar let alone take it out of its case. It's the only guitar I've sold without a shred of regret (I should say the guitar itself was great: well-made etc. It was just those pickups.)
What I would suggest is that you find a shop where you can play one to see if you actually like them yourself.
There is an ESP forum where you might pick up some more info:
http://bbs.espguitars.com/index.php
Those guys are REALLY biased on ESPs! :D
