INGD: #4
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Ok...
So...
This is an LTD M-1 Custom in Dark Metallic Purple, built in 10/22. I got this guitar from TheMusicFarm in Ohio. It's a beauty!
This is a reissue guitar in the "1987" series from ESP. I love the 1987 logo at the 12th fret because that is the year I started playing guitar! I didn't own any ESPs back then, but it holds some nostalgia for me as a reminder of that time.
It is in completely new condition without any scratches or hazing as far as I can tell. No nicks or dents. I made an unboxing video to document in case there was shop wear or damage (in case I needed to return), and I don't see any. They did put a new set of 10s "Regular Slinky" on it. The only minor cosmetic defect is some clear coat run in the binding in the upper frets. You have to look really close to see it. Very minor.
The Music Farm was true to their word, and it shipped with action .06" (1.5mm) at the 12th fret, lowE. I haven't played anything on it yet, but I checked all the frets and there isn't any buzzing. This is a very straight neck, there is only a tiny bit of relief. I don't know if they did any leveling or work on the neck, but it's ready to rock!
The back of the neck feels smooth and looks great. Not sticky like the Jackson necks I tried before this. The frets are the same as what shipped on my M1000, very high quality, but I don't believe they are stainless. The board is ebony and looks great. Its uniform in color but it does need a cleaning as there is dirt near the fret edges.
When I first saw this guitar last year in their catalog, I thought it was perfect except for the painted neck and the non-recessed Floyd. But I have since come to appreciate painted necks. I was concerned about the non-recessed Floyd because of lack of pull-up. This particular Floyd seems to have a good bit of pull up and is mounted a good way off the body, which is what I wanted. I am looking forward to play it as I wanted to get a feel for strings that are higher off the body like a Les Paul.
I've been examining pics of this guitar on Reverb and Sweetwater, and they are building these in both Indonesia and Korea. This is a Korean model (!) and from my research, the Korean ones tend to have a bridge that is installed farther off the body, so if you are looking for pull-up, might try to find a Korean one. If you want to deck the trem, might look for an Indo. This is one of the reasons I ordered from the Music Farm, because they showed accurate pics on their site, that this one was Korean.
The guitar has a Seymour Duncan Distortion and a PA2 clean boost circuit (which is an old friend of mine). In the early 90s, I got a set of EMG 81/85 that I played for quite a few years. I had a PA2 installed, and when I eventually learned to appreciate passive pickups, I continued to use the PA2 with my passives.
The PA2, even if you aren't using it, converts the signal to low impedance for longer cable runs, which can make a guitar sound more alive when run into certain pedals, and it gives tonal options, can turn medium output pickups like a PAF Pro into an absolute screamer! Even if I don't use it, I think its cool that its installed on this guitar, and I didn't have to ruin the finish like I did on my old Ibanez. The only reason I didn't put a PA2 into all my guitars over the years was the wiring complexity. Its nice that its already in here.
So, why am I sending it back?
Just kidding, so far everything is great. The ONLY thing I haven't done is test the trem (and the electronics). The only peculiarity on this guitar is that both trem posts seem to be installed leaning back about 5 degrees. I expect tuning stability to be excellent, but I haven't tested the trem yet. I would be devastated if there are problems with tuning stability and/or the way the trem was installed. The guitar is so nice otherwise, I am really hoping its like my M1000 with rock solid tuning.
The quality of this guitar is 10x those Jacksons with all their manufacturing defects, their eye sore binding, their horrible necks, and it only cost a couple hundred more. I can't even imagine buying a Jackson knowing a guitar like this exists. This is definitely on par with my M1000 and its fretwork is better than the M1000 when I received it.
Also, did I mention, the guitar sounds great (unplugged)! It sounds like a more aggro version of my M1000, that has a poplar top which seems to make it warmer. This is very resonant. Maple core, alder wings like the M1000. Its hard to A/B compare because different string gauge.
They make this guitar in five colors. I had a hard time deciding between this and blue, but I'm really glad I picked purple. It has a custom look to it. The gold is also nice, but I didn't want a gold Floyd (they tend to fade).
Anyway, here are the pics. I will be heartbroken if there is a problem with the trem. At least now I'm in a happy mood, and I'm still optimistic. Will check the trem later tonight. The 10s are too thick for me to enjoy long term. I've strung up 10s before and always go back to 9s.
...............:beerchug:
So...
This is an LTD M-1 Custom in Dark Metallic Purple, built in 10/22. I got this guitar from TheMusicFarm in Ohio. It's a beauty!
This is a reissue guitar in the "1987" series from ESP. I love the 1987 logo at the 12th fret because that is the year I started playing guitar! I didn't own any ESPs back then, but it holds some nostalgia for me as a reminder of that time.
It is in completely new condition without any scratches or hazing as far as I can tell. No nicks or dents. I made an unboxing video to document in case there was shop wear or damage (in case I needed to return), and I don't see any. They did put a new set of 10s "Regular Slinky" on it. The only minor cosmetic defect is some clear coat run in the binding in the upper frets. You have to look really close to see it. Very minor.
The Music Farm was true to their word, and it shipped with action .06" (1.5mm) at the 12th fret, lowE. I haven't played anything on it yet, but I checked all the frets and there isn't any buzzing. This is a very straight neck, there is only a tiny bit of relief. I don't know if they did any leveling or work on the neck, but it's ready to rock!
The back of the neck feels smooth and looks great. Not sticky like the Jackson necks I tried before this. The frets are the same as what shipped on my M1000, very high quality, but I don't believe they are stainless. The board is ebony and looks great. Its uniform in color but it does need a cleaning as there is dirt near the fret edges.
When I first saw this guitar last year in their catalog, I thought it was perfect except for the painted neck and the non-recessed Floyd. But I have since come to appreciate painted necks. I was concerned about the non-recessed Floyd because of lack of pull-up. This particular Floyd seems to have a good bit of pull up and is mounted a good way off the body, which is what I wanted. I am looking forward to play it as I wanted to get a feel for strings that are higher off the body like a Les Paul.
I've been examining pics of this guitar on Reverb and Sweetwater, and they are building these in both Indonesia and Korea. This is a Korean model (!) and from my research, the Korean ones tend to have a bridge that is installed farther off the body, so if you are looking for pull-up, might try to find a Korean one. If you want to deck the trem, might look for an Indo. This is one of the reasons I ordered from the Music Farm, because they showed accurate pics on their site, that this one was Korean.
The guitar has a Seymour Duncan Distortion and a PA2 clean boost circuit (which is an old friend of mine). In the early 90s, I got a set of EMG 81/85 that I played for quite a few years. I had a PA2 installed, and when I eventually learned to appreciate passive pickups, I continued to use the PA2 with my passives.
The PA2, even if you aren't using it, converts the signal to low impedance for longer cable runs, which can make a guitar sound more alive when run into certain pedals, and it gives tonal options, can turn medium output pickups like a PAF Pro into an absolute screamer! Even if I don't use it, I think its cool that its installed on this guitar, and I didn't have to ruin the finish like I did on my old Ibanez. The only reason I didn't put a PA2 into all my guitars over the years was the wiring complexity. Its nice that its already in here.
So, why am I sending it back?
Just kidding, so far everything is great. The ONLY thing I haven't done is test the trem (and the electronics). The only peculiarity on this guitar is that both trem posts seem to be installed leaning back about 5 degrees. I expect tuning stability to be excellent, but I haven't tested the trem yet. I would be devastated if there are problems with tuning stability and/or the way the trem was installed. The guitar is so nice otherwise, I am really hoping its like my M1000 with rock solid tuning.
The quality of this guitar is 10x those Jacksons with all their manufacturing defects, their eye sore binding, their horrible necks, and it only cost a couple hundred more. I can't even imagine buying a Jackson knowing a guitar like this exists. This is definitely on par with my M1000 and its fretwork is better than the M1000 when I received it.
Also, did I mention, the guitar sounds great (unplugged)! It sounds like a more aggro version of my M1000, that has a poplar top which seems to make it warmer. This is very resonant. Maple core, alder wings like the M1000. Its hard to A/B compare because different string gauge.
They make this guitar in five colors. I had a hard time deciding between this and blue, but I'm really glad I picked purple. It has a custom look to it. The gold is also nice, but I didn't want a gold Floyd (they tend to fade).
Anyway, here are the pics. I will be heartbroken if there is a problem with the trem. At least now I'm in a happy mood, and I'm still optimistic. Will check the trem later tonight. The 10s are too thick for me to enjoy long term. I've strung up 10s before and always go back to 9s.
...............:beerchug:
Attachments
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Looks really nice! Glad you finally got something you can live with.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Fine looking axe! Here's hoping it plays and sounds as good as it looks :bigthumb:
THIS GUITAR IS FUCKED UP.
The trem is installed wrong. The tone block is near the back of the cutout and crashes into the wood before the strings are slacked.
What the fuck. Now I have to fight to get my money back.
Do not buy anything from TheMusicFarm.
I'm done. If something is too good to be true, it usually is. There is a reason this guitar was in perfect condition and not sold.
Posts are leaning back about 10*, the tone block is not centered in the cutout. Hitting back of wood, not staying in tune. What. the fuck.
If the posts were straight up, then the tone block would be centered in the cutout and not hitting the wood.
I give up.
The trem is installed wrong. The tone block is near the back of the cutout and crashes into the wood before the strings are slacked.
What the fuck. Now I have to fight to get my money back.
Do not buy anything from TheMusicFarm.
I'm done. If something is too good to be true, it usually is. There is a reason this guitar was in perfect condition and not sold.
Posts are leaning back about 10*, the tone block is not centered in the cutout. Hitting back of wood, not staying in tune. What. the fuck.
If the posts were straight up, then the tone block would be centered in the cutout and not hitting the wood.
I give up.
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I think whats going on with guitars is that the got their last big shipment a long time ago and what's still on the shelves is leftover garbage.
This guitar doesn't have an inspection sticker. This is shady stuff. They know this guitar is defective and sold it to me anyway.
Just so you don't think I'm being too picky, I've never had a floyd with the posts leaning back 10* and the tone block hitting the wood inside the guitar. Never!
You can see the tone block is near the back of the cutout when in neutral, so there isn't much space for it to move back.
This guitar doesn't have an inspection sticker. This is shady stuff. They know this guitar is defective and sold it to me anyway.
Just so you don't think I'm being too picky, I've never had a floyd with the posts leaning back 10* and the tone block hitting the wood inside the guitar. Never!
You can see the tone block is near the back of the cutout when in neutral, so there isn't much space for it to move back.
Lucius Paisley
Well-known member
You jinxed yourself.
I think I knew when I saw the posts leaning back it wasn't good. I had no idea that it meant the trem was off center and hitting wood.
This place has 15% restocking. They knew this guitar was junk.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Go hardtail, or drop a Kahler or other replacement trem in there?
I don't even know what to think now. Its going back. They are going to try to screw me with restocking and shipping.
Do I buy another one from sweetwater? I think half of what is on shelves is returns and B-stcok. Everyone trying to make a buck.
With the trem flat on this guitar, the bar has about an inch of movement. wtf.
They sent it to me with the trem angled back. The bar has about 2 inches of movement, then clunk. wtf.
I just want to say, it doesn't have an inspection sticker and I'm sure this is not normal new stock. But how/where are they getting junk guitars to pawn off as new? Same with jackson.
Are they buying them black market and trying to make huge profits, or are they coming direct from manufacturer?
This guitar was $960. I saved about $50 over one from MF with a coupon and points.
Do I buy another one from sweetwater? I think half of what is on shelves is returns and B-stcok. Everyone trying to make a buck.
With the trem flat on this guitar, the bar has about an inch of movement. wtf.
They sent it to me with the trem angled back. The bar has about 2 inches of movement, then clunk. wtf.
I just want to say, it doesn't have an inspection sticker and I'm sure this is not normal new stock. But how/where are they getting junk guitars to pawn off as new? Same with jackson.
Are they buying them black market and trying to make huge profits, or are they coming direct from manufacturer?
This guitar was $960. I saved about $50 over one from MF with a coupon and points.
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Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Damn...that's quite a run of bad luck..
Maybe it's time to check out reverb for something used?
Or just fix it yourself (re-fill w/ wood filler/epoxy and re-drill/install. I know you shouldn't have to do that for the prices you're paying but at least you'll end up with a playable axe...
Maybe it's time to check out reverb for something used?
Or just fix it yourself (re-fill w/ wood filler/epoxy and re-drill/install. I know you shouldn't have to do that for the prices you're paying but at least you'll end up with a playable axe...
When I've talked with them, they are hesitant to make big deals. Asking them for 15%, they have acted offended, even if MF has a 15% coupon. So then it is a $1200 guitar, $1300 with tax.
I could buy NIB from MF, but then I won't get to ensure its from Korea. And I've already returned two defective guitars, don't want to take another chance with them before they think I'm abusing the return policy.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Can that problem be fixed? It seems to me like your first impressions would make it a guitar worth being fixed. I'm not sure I understood what was wrong with the guitar, but can the bridge post routes not be filled and rerouted?
Lucius Paisley
Well-known member
And I thought I had problems with guitars being left-handed. Sorry that you have to deal with this crap.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
This. It's weird that none of these stores have problems shipping out (not exactly cheap) guitars that are basically unplayable. Don't they check/inspect them first?
Way beyond my pay grade. I bet experienced Luthiers even have problems drilling two post anchors at exactly the right distance, perpendicular to body, and lined up with the neck. Seems like it would take a CNC.
Floyd posts seem to be installed wrong. Worst return to zero of any floyd guitar I've ever seen. Pull back and push forward are 20-30 cents off. Unplayable out of tune. I don't know if its because its been monkeyed with, because the posts are leaning back, or what.
If it otherwise stayed in tune, I would consider routing the trem block cavity and keeping it, but it doesnt stay in tune and it hits the cavity so it cant fully drop. I've checked the usual suspects for tuning instability and only thing I can come up with is the posts leaning, or maybe the knige edges of the trem are borked. (didn't do any disassembly)
This store knows its a problem guitar. They changed the string gauge, set it up with the trem angled back, yet still sent it to me.
The finish does have what looks like dust in the clear coat behind the bridge, that I thought was surface dust. Just a minor issue I would overlook on a good guitar.
I have never ordered a guitar from Sweetwater, so I dont know if its worth it.
The store I ordered this guitar from had changed strings to a higher gauge, they were fully stretched, so they didn't just throw them on. Its clear they had worked with it. It has a collosal return to zero issue. Its not the nut moving or strings slipping. It is something to do with resistance in movement of floyd.
I don't know what its like to run a music store. If they get bad merchandise from ESP or whoever, do they have the ability to get their money back? I would think so.
I just don't understand. At beginning of the pandemic, I ordered two new LTDs from PAS and both have perfectly working trems. No neck problems. Nothing wrong. Just solid guitars. Isn't that how its supposed to be? Even my cheap Chinese Dean has a perfectly working trem.
My guess is that inventory has been drying up and stores are left with junk no one wants, which is why my luck has been so bad.
