ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

[Diego]

Saw one of these on a local store yesterday. **** nice price tag on it. I googled it and read those covered pups are actually a JB-Jazz set!

I'm GASing like crazy for anything with proper LP specs; short scale, set neck, two humbuckers, a TOM bridge and lots of mahogany on it. Was gonna buy an Epi LP Standard, but the LTD looks killer and I wouldn't have to switch pickups (since as you might know, I love the Duncan JB )

What's your experience with this particular model? For the price tag, it's almost too good to be true; almost the same for an Epi LP with crap pickups.

 

[lex666]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

I havent tried the EC400's, but did at one time own a EC 1000 deluxe.

The scale was longer than a standard LP. Check and see if the EC400 is longer too.

The body of the deluxe, while cosmetically beautiful was thinner and lighter than any of my Gibson or Epi Les Pauls. This combined with a longer neck gave the guitar an "unbalanced" feel. I don't know how else to describe it, but after getting used to the weight and scale of a Les Paul, the EC deluxe just felt wrong. I'm also not a fan of the necks they use on the deluxe. I also owned a LTD Viper 400 and couldn't get used to that neck either. They must be fatter or wider cuz my hand always cramped after just a few minutes of playing. The whole experience just became uncomfortable. Both guitars eventually got sold. Too bad tho, cuz they were both beautiful guitars and purchased for a decent price. Sold 'em back for a fraction of what I paid.

YMMV. Give it a try. I've also got 2 ESP LTD Kirk Hammet guitars that I absolutley love, so go figure...

 

[Diego]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

I'm reading everywhere that the EC400 actually has a 24'75 neck scale.

How was the sound, compared to your Eppies and Gibsons? I'd appreciate other aspects that you feel are worth comparing and noting.

Thanks in advance, lex.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

The ECs are 24.75 so I don't know where that longer-scale comes from...

I own a 1000 and I really love that guitar. It's not as heavy or deep-sounding than my LP Classic but it's an awesome guitar for what it is... If I were to buy another one today, I'd pick-up a 400: less flashy, nice pick-ups and hardware.

If you really want a LP, buy a les paul, this is not the same tone but it is a really nice guitar... I'd never part with mine, even if now I own a Gibson.

 

[Rowan]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

Is it an EC-400AT or EC-400VF? Or just a regular EC-400?


The archtops and VFs are les paul specs, while the regular EC-400s and 1000s have slimmer bodies. The body on the archtop is FAT and it is heavy like a les paul should be. I have a black one that sounds big, deep, and sustains forever. I love the JB in mine but I had to put an open coiled one in there. The covered JB was too muddy.

The JB/59 combo in this guitar makes for some pretty amazing lead guitar tones.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

Good point rowan...

I must admit that I don't have experience with the archtops...

 

[Rowan]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

Good point rowan...

I must admit that I don't have experience with the archtops...

They are excellent guitars. I just wonder if the maple top on the EC-400VF is a veneer or a real cap? The archtop has a carved mahogany front on a mahogany back.

 

[Diego]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

Ah, thank you Rowan, forgot that: It's a VF. So it has the thicker body and apparently, the tone according to you?

Also (for Surgeon) I want something LPish but not because I want to nail precise LP tones; it's mostly because the design is so straight-forward and functional. No springs to worry about, assured sustain and thick tone. Being mostly a rhythm player myself, I'm sick of the Edge Pro trem, the bad pickups, the bland sounding basswood and the toothpick neck of my Ibanez. Need something meatier that suits me. :naughty:

 

[Surgeon]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

Ah, thank you Rowan, forgot that: It's a VF. So it has the thicker body and apparently, the tone according to you?

Also (for Surgeon) I want something LPish but not because I want to nail precise LP tones; it's mostly because the design is so straight-forward and functional. No springs to worry about, assured sustain and thick tone. Being mostly a rhythm player myself, I'm sick of the Edge Pro trem, the bad pickups, the bland sounding basswood and the toothpick neck of my Ibanez. Need something meatier that suits me. :naughty:

Then you'll be happy with either Ec designs...

The "regulars" being thinner, they do sound crispier if I may say so... still, it's a solid mahogany sound. Not the same as my LP but a good crisp sound...very pleasing.

 

[lex666]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

I'm reading everywhere that the EC400 actually has a 24'75 neck scale.

How was the sound, compared to your Eppies and Gibsons? I'd appreciate other aspects that you feel are worth comparing and noting.

Thanks in advance, lex.

You guys are correct about the scale length. Sorry, my bad. Poor assumption on my part.

The EC 1000 definetly had a thinner sound IMO. Some of which I attributed to the JB pickup and the thinner body. I prefer a heavier or "chunkier" tone from my LP's which the EC1000 with JB's just wasn't providing. That being said, most of my Gibson and Epi LP's are equppied with C5's in the bridge... I've tried the JB before in my Epi's and always knew the JB was not for me... Anyways, when I bought the EC1000, I was prepared to swap the bridge pup, but after playing it for a while, I decided not to keep the guitar.

The EC with a thicker body is the way to go IMO. Whether or not you like the JB will be up to you. Not sure if you can get it with the EMG's, but that might be a good alternative.

I've always liked the look of the EC's... I wish Gibson or Epi offered something that looks as nice...

 

[Diego]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

To be honest, I've never played an EMG pickup. Gotta try that. I like the JB though.

Thank you guys, I'm pretty much set on the LTD now. Gonna change my avatar soon enough...

 

[Rowan]

Re: ESP LTD EC400: Yay or nay?

To be honest, I've never played an EMG pickup. Gotta try that. I like the JB though.

Thank you guys, I'm pretty much set on the LTD now. Gonna change my avatar soon enough...

I think you'll be very happy my friend.