LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

grey

grey

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Let's take an example...My recent guitar is an Esp Ltd 24 frets mahogany piece with a JB/59' combo and standard bridge,which costs about 900euros.The corresponding specifications (except the origin country and maybe the accurate wood quality) Esp Horizon costs about 2000euros...
Well,i like my guitar's sound stigma (some complaints about the 59') and so i wonder...Is that Horizon worth the extra savings?Will the good be MUCH better?Which in your opinion would be the real difference in money?
Thanks in advance...
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

Do you even have to ask that question? That's like asking whether it's worth it to go from Ibanez Indonesia to Team J-Craft Prestige, or Gibson Epiphone to Gibson custom shop. LTD's are good values for people who can't afford the more expensive stuff but it's not even in the same league. The answer is a resounding "YES."
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

UberMetalDood said:
Do you even have to ask that question? That's like asking whether it's worth it to go from Ibanez Indonesia to Team J-Craft Prestige, or Gibson Epiphone to Gibson custom shop. LTD's are good values for people who can't afford the more expensive stuff but it's not even in the same league. The answer is a resounding "YES."
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Don't get me wrong.I want that Horizon like hell...but where exactly lies this 1100 euros gap?
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

grey said:
Don't get me wrong.I want that Horizon like hell...but where exactly lies this 1100 euros gap?
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Well, better woods, more precise craftsmanship etc. Everything. IMO it's worth it if you have the cash. Go and test ltd vs. esp axes. You will notice it yourself. If you don't need a high end guitar, save your money and buy another 1000€ axe you like. Or something else.
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

If you had yet to make a purchase and were weighing the 2 options, it would probably be the better option to make the step up if you had the money to spend.

Since you already have the LTD and seem to be happy with it minus the neck pickup, I think the best option there would be to stick with it and spend 80 bucks on a new pickup. Overall craftsmanship on the high end LTD's is generally considered very good.

What might be the bigger issue concerning the neck pickup is the fact the guitar has 24 frets. This pushes the pickup in closer toward the bridge pickup which alters tone a bit. Maybe thats why you dont like the 59?
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

Yes. LTD is crap.

I've owned two ESPs and two LTDs. LTD just doesn't compare.
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

I've had both high end LTD's and an ESP standard Horizon

Without a question the ESP was better
The ltd still played very well and sounded great especially for a $900 guitar but the ESP was flawless
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

I say there is no 'right' answer until you've played the ESP.

then you'll have to decide if its worth the extra $$$.
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

I had bought an LTD something other 7 string back in early 2000. It was the top of the line MH model but I don't remember the exact model. At the time I already had a modified KH2. It was a KH2 with a different neck. In October of 2000 I bought a KH3 and a few months later sold it because I just didn't play it.

Fast forward to June 2010 and I wanted a guitar with EMGs. Once I got it home, changed strings, set it up and toyed with it and the amp for a few days, I remember why I hated EMGs and sold the first LTD to begin with.

I wanted a decent guitar with EMGs at the end of the day. The second just didn't live up to my expectations. I wanted too much. That happens though when your entire herd is made up of USA BC Rich and Jackson guitars.
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

I've played from bottom end LTDs to top-end ESPs.

Ironically, I liked a top end Horizon LTD much more than an M-II ESP that I played. However, when comparing apples to apples, the ESP equivalent of a high-end LTD will still be far and above. They simply are incredibly well-built and well-thought-of guitars.

I have absolutely no use for one and still GAS pretty badly for an ESP Horizon, maybe the older silver Page Hamilton sig (HS with a full-floating Wilky, that was special)...
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

Ltd, particularly the higher end Korean made ones, are pretty nice guitars for their price-point. However, the ESP is a step up. I owned a couple EC-1000's and Eclipses at the same time and there was definitely a difference, and it was audible as well.

If I was in a touring band or played out a lot, I'd be fine with Ltd. But for home and personal preference ESP for sure.
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

TattooedCarrot said:
If I was in a touring band or played out a lot, I'd be fine with Ltd. But for home and personal preference ESP for sure.
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Metallica tours with a large stock of LTD guitars. Pretty much just to destroy them but they tour with them none the less.
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

Jackson made in korea - JAckson USA
LTD made in China - ESP made in Japan
Ibanez made in indonesia - Ibanez made in Japan


The jump is quality from low end to high end for these brands is absurd.


Hell even Epiphone to Gibson is a pretty good jump even though Gibsons are hella overpriced and not the same quality you get for the other brands.




You get what you pay for, remember that..
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

H8Red442 said:
Metallica tours with a large stock of LTD guitars. Pretty much just to destroy them but they tour with them none the less.
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DOWN does as well. In a loud as s**t live setting for a bunch of drunken fools, why risk your good stuff?
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

Quencho092 said:
.....exotic woods......
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Honduras mahogany...
Thanks for the input,guys.I consider the feel of a guitar and how you're bound to it to be very important,even more than the sound thing which is something you can modify nowdays.
I wish I had the priviledge to try some Esp's out but I don't,so I'm counting on your feedback.
Start saving...and convincing my wife about the investment!
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

Hey man, spend the money on a Charvel San Dimas or So Cal, which cost less than USD 1000. And spend a few more on a replacement pickup for the 59 on the LTD. Then you have the best bang for your buck. I would definitely do it in your situation.
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

Will it SOUND any better? Probably not 1100 better. Will it feel better? Perhaps, that's a personal opin ion though. Is it a better guitar? certainly.

Is it 1100 better to you? depends on if you have 1100 to burn.

Last night all I played was a $150 Kaman GTX Black Beaty copy. Played fine, sounded great.

The real LP's wouldn't have done any better functionally. But the real LP's ARE better guitars in all kinds of ways.
 
Re: LTD To ESP:Worth the step?

The differences between high and low end is really shrinking. CNC and other innovations have eliminated the hand made variations we used to see. This has changed the game in ways those who did not play a cheap guitar 30-40 years ago probably will not understand. Materials are the major difference today really (as I see it). In most cases for mid-level that means multi-piece wood is used rather than 1 or 2 piece construction of high end. Things like that these days.
 
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