ESP USA?

[vel0c1ty]

Been looking to get a new guitar. Would you recommend an ESP USA or the Japan made ones? Or even a LTD?

[Aceman]

Re: ESP USA?

Well, based on what you said I won't recommend anything. I have no idea what you want to play, how you like to play, your general preferences, or what your budget is. So I'll say this:

If you have the money to blow, get the ESP USA/Japan.
If you don't want to spend to much, get the LTD.

ESP/LTD makes great guitars and they all work. So, based on what you told me my suggestion is put pieces of paper in a hat a pull one out!

[Masta' C]

Re: ESP USA?

Aceman's in with the first reply and it's perfect!

ESP is a great company with a lot of quality options.

The E-II series (and short-lived LTD Elite) is a sweet spot in terms of build quality (Japanese) and price, in my opinion. That said, I've played countless LTD's that were absolutely wonderful. In fact, I opted to sell a late-'80s ESP M-II and kept an Indonesian-made LTD Alexi-200 because I liked the way it played and felt so much!

Also, don't discount their lesser known Asia-market brands, which pop up all the time secondhand: Edwards, Grass Roots and occasionally Pro-Ceed (rare)

[BeKindRewind]

Re: ESP USA?

ESP used to be "my brand" and I gotta say the LTDs I had were fantastic quality. This was back in about 2006 though. I used to have 2 Korean LTD's a DV8 and an Axxion and they were pretty comparable quality to a USA made guitar. Then again they weren't exactly cheap, almost the same price as a USA Stratocaster cost back then.

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[ibanezrocks]

Re: ESP USA?

What's the question here? Would we recommend a $5k guitar over a $500 one? Sure, if you can afford it.

Every ESP I've played has been great. LTDs are also good for the money, just like most import guitars in that $500-$1k range. There's still plenty of the old Japanese-made ESP Standard series in the used market too, which is what I'd recommend.

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[Aceman]

Re: ESP USA?

Ooooh - EII's, almost forgot about those! Sweet spot indeed!!!

[PS412]

Re: ESP USA?

I have played but do not own an LTD and thought it was a nice guitar. Played good sounded good.
I bought an Eii FRX and it plays and feels better. Sound, well I think it sounds slightly better.

[Mincer]

Re: ESP USA?

If anyone could afford the USA ESP stuff, I would be surprised that LTD would be in the running. I'd think it would be compared to other Very Expensive Instruments.

[6stringerguy]

Re: ESP USA?

I have played many EIIs and have always been impressed with the quality but my LTD EC-1000 is a killer instrument for the money and doesn’t feel bad when compared to my USA Jackson or my Aristides.


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[BeKindRewind]

Re: ESP USA?

ESP USA stuff was only made briefly in the late 80's anyway right ? Their "good" guitars are made in Japan including the custom shop. My Japanese ESP was amazing, I've never seen nor played one made in USA but they do exist.

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[Rex_Rocker]

Re: ESP USA?

ESP USA stuff was only made briefly in the late 80's anyway right ?

They re-opened a custom shop in the US a few years ago.

[Xeromus]

Re: ESP USA?

The best guitar I own is a made in Japan Edwards Les Paul. (ESP)