So I was looking into picking up a new guitar, and this LTD H-401 Mahogany caught my eye:
(and the link to the ESP website):
https://www.espguitars.com/products/19120-h-401m?category_id=1963298-h-series
I've owned several LTD 1000-series guitars in the past. This H-401 is similar in that it is a 25.5" scale, 24 XJ frets, 3-piece maple set neck with rosewood fretboard. I am ALSO looking into the LTD H-1001 in See-Through Black Cherry. However, this 401 checks all the boxes for me, other than locking tuners which I would later install. I currently have an older Jackson SLSMG Soloist; this guitar is the only one I've owned with an ebony fretboard, and it is definitely nice- so nice that now I'm wondering if I should go ahead and spring for the the H-1001, which has a Macassar ebony fretboard. The issue I have against the H-1001 though, is that it comes stock with a Sentient/Pegasus set. I've grown to like either a Jazz or 59 neck, and a Custom or Distortion bridge. The H-401 comes stock with a Jazz neck and Custom-5 (Sh-14?) bridge. (I have an Alnico-8 magnet waiting for that one, if and when I get it!) The last detail, is that the H-401 has a satin-finish neck. All of the LTD's I've had before, and this Jackson, have been gloss necks. I have owned an Ibanez Prestige (RGA 121), which had a satin-finish neck, and I definitely think that is a "faster" feeling neck. (Ah, who am I kidding, I am no shredder and my skills are only average. But I enjoy playing anyway!) As far as neck contour, ESP specs indicate that the H-401 and H-1001 both have the "Thin U" neck, 350 mm radius. 42 mm nut width, etc., so hopefully they would feel the same in that regard.
So, my question is, what has your experience been with the LTD 400-series necks? I ask this because this H-401M is built in Indonesia. (Which is funny because in searching images, I've seen quite a few other, or at least earlier-production, 400's that were built in Korea.) As reference, I was recently in Guitar Center and they had a couple of Ibanez RGAT-62 models hanging up there. I picked one up, and the neck felt horrible, played poorly in my opinion, and had sharp, unfinished fret ends hanging out all up and down both sides. So, THIS is what we can expect for $600 these days??? Granted, it's been a few years, and the price of LTD 1000-series seems to have gone up significantly, but all of my previous 1000's (M, H, MH) were right in the $600 dollar range new, and had very nicely finished and well set-up necks. And, those were all built in Korea.
Now I don't want to start people flaming about Korean vs Indonesian quality control, world politics, etc., to where this thread derails into a downward spiral- I'm just asking owners of LTD 400-series guitars how they like the necks? Basically, how is the finish, the fretboard, are the frets fairly level and are the fret ends properly trimmed to length with smoothly-finished ends, etc.? I know if things are not totally perfect I could always take it to my luthier for a fret-levelling and fret dress, BUT, I'd rather not. In all other regards, this guitar looks perfect to me, a very attractive, subtle look that's not as gaudy as all the bling seen on the "Deluxe" models, and with all the right features. (AND, it would save me quite a bit of cash, too!) The biggest problem is that nobody has one of these in stock, for me to check out in person. The last couple of LTD's I bought HAVE been online, without having actually played them, but by that time the 1000-series was familiar to me and I felt comfortable with such a purchase.
So what do you all say, should I go for the H-401? Thanks for any comments and replies!
(PS, forgot to edit my sig line, down to just a Jackson Soloist, 59/Distortion, and a Blackstar HT-5R)
(and the link to the ESP website):
https://www.espguitars.com/products/19120-h-401m?category_id=1963298-h-series
I've owned several LTD 1000-series guitars in the past. This H-401 is similar in that it is a 25.5" scale, 24 XJ frets, 3-piece maple set neck with rosewood fretboard. I am ALSO looking into the LTD H-1001 in See-Through Black Cherry. However, this 401 checks all the boxes for me, other than locking tuners which I would later install. I currently have an older Jackson SLSMG Soloist; this guitar is the only one I've owned with an ebony fretboard, and it is definitely nice- so nice that now I'm wondering if I should go ahead and spring for the the H-1001, which has a Macassar ebony fretboard. The issue I have against the H-1001 though, is that it comes stock with a Sentient/Pegasus set. I've grown to like either a Jazz or 59 neck, and a Custom or Distortion bridge. The H-401 comes stock with a Jazz neck and Custom-5 (Sh-14?) bridge. (I have an Alnico-8 magnet waiting for that one, if and when I get it!) The last detail, is that the H-401 has a satin-finish neck. All of the LTD's I've had before, and this Jackson, have been gloss necks. I have owned an Ibanez Prestige (RGA 121), which had a satin-finish neck, and I definitely think that is a "faster" feeling neck. (Ah, who am I kidding, I am no shredder and my skills are only average. But I enjoy playing anyway!) As far as neck contour, ESP specs indicate that the H-401 and H-1001 both have the "Thin U" neck, 350 mm radius. 42 mm nut width, etc., so hopefully they would feel the same in that regard.
So, my question is, what has your experience been with the LTD 400-series necks? I ask this because this H-401M is built in Indonesia. (Which is funny because in searching images, I've seen quite a few other, or at least earlier-production, 400's that were built in Korea.) As reference, I was recently in Guitar Center and they had a couple of Ibanez RGAT-62 models hanging up there. I picked one up, and the neck felt horrible, played poorly in my opinion, and had sharp, unfinished fret ends hanging out all up and down both sides. So, THIS is what we can expect for $600 these days??? Granted, it's been a few years, and the price of LTD 1000-series seems to have gone up significantly, but all of my previous 1000's (M, H, MH) were right in the $600 dollar range new, and had very nicely finished and well set-up necks. And, those were all built in Korea.
Now I don't want to start people flaming about Korean vs Indonesian quality control, world politics, etc., to where this thread derails into a downward spiral- I'm just asking owners of LTD 400-series guitars how they like the necks? Basically, how is the finish, the fretboard, are the frets fairly level and are the fret ends properly trimmed to length with smoothly-finished ends, etc.? I know if things are not totally perfect I could always take it to my luthier for a fret-levelling and fret dress, BUT, I'd rather not. In all other regards, this guitar looks perfect to me, a very attractive, subtle look that's not as gaudy as all the bling seen on the "Deluxe" models, and with all the right features. (AND, it would save me quite a bit of cash, too!) The biggest problem is that nobody has one of these in stock, for me to check out in person. The last couple of LTD's I bought HAVE been online, without having actually played them, but by that time the 1000-series was familiar to me and I felt comfortable with such a purchase.
So what do you all say, should I go for the H-401? Thanks for any comments and replies!
(PS, forgot to edit my sig line, down to just a Jackson Soloist, 59/Distortion, and a Blackstar HT-5R)
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