LTD Vs ESP?

[BloodRose]

Hey! Let me ask this to you who have really played both...
Are the ESPs really 2-3 times better ? I have not played a real ESP although Ive always heard they are fantastic. I have, however, played a few LTDs. The LTDs, IMO are amazing guitars!! I dont see how they do it for the price. Really makes me feel ripped off by other brands.. Many have Earvana nuts, tonepros, Grover keys, and almost all have high caliber pickups.
When I found my EC400at in a used guitar shop, I almost didnt play it cuz Im not a fan of goldtops.. But, I was curious about the LTD so I tried it. It was made well, sounded very good and played amazing. I couldnt stop thinking about it til I bought it.. Fast forward 2 yrs..
Visually, I liked the Gus G signature model, but I figured it was probably more novelty and it wasnt high on my list to justify the $999 price tag. Recently, they were discontinued. (new model has downpointed headstock and hard tail) The clearance price was good and I just had to try it.. Again, was expecting a novelty that Id probably turn over, but I figured it would be built well. I get it and its built great, and its about the easiest playing guitar Ive ever played. My playing has improved so much since I got it.. And it sounds killer too.. I was playing a few diff guitars today and they were mostly my main players. Then I plugged up the LTD and it sounded AWESOME. It just really stood out to me.. Im quite pleased and impressed.

Now, back to my post, the ESP version of this guitar was about $2399 and the LTD was $999. This is about the norm for the ESP/LTDs . Are the ESPs tthat much better? Im guessing that its prob Gibson vs Epiphone where they really arent that much better. Especially considering ALOT of pro players are playing LTDs. (theres a vid on youtube of hetfield playing a EC400 LTD like mine)
Anyhow, thanks for reading and the input!

 

[jasona84]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

Hmm, it's tough. LTD's are great for their price and the high end LTD's are sometimes better than the low ESP's. I can tell you the quality difference is better than EPI and Gibson. There is a definite variation on a high end ESP as to it's low end counterpart. ESP's are amazing guitars and are easily IMHO the best quality mass manufacturer out there. All around better quality. Price tag is up to you, I think they're worth it, then again I don't own any new ones. I'd rather buy a caparison.

 

[H8Red442]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

I've had both. I had an ESP, basically a KH2 but the neck had no skull and crossbone inlays and the headstock was not inverted. Other than that, identical. It was a sweet freaking guitar. First really good axe I had ever bought, got it for a steal and played the crap out of it for 10 years until I had to raise funds for my BC Rich Bich Supreme.

I also had an LTD MH something or other. Top of the line 7 string or as top of the line as you could get in an LTD.

They couldn't have been more night and day. You're right in that the LTD's are well built play easily and sound good. What else do you need right? The difference for me was that the ESP basically played itself. The ESP was also a bolt on whereas the LTD was a neck through. One would think, or at least I would, the neck through would be better. I've always had a thing for N/T but this time around it wasn't doing it for me. For some reason the LTD felt "soft" to me, like flimsy maybe. The ESP was just a precision guitar. There wasn't a bad thing about that guitar.

It all came down to feel for me with this two.

As far as pros playing the LTD series, back in the day pros played platinum series BC Rich guitars which weren't near equivalent to their custom shops relatives and off the shelf Ibanez guitars which didnt match up to Steve Vai's JEMs. Don't put a lot of stock in what the pros are playing.

Metallica uses a lot of LTD stuff on stage. Mostly I would imagine the good ****'s at home. I read somewhere that Kirk brings something like 20 LTD versions of his KH2s so as to not beat the crap out of the ones he's had made for him. I would believe the same of James as I'm sure he doesn't want his true customs out there much. Not that they won't use them but for day in and out touring, you'd better believe they're protecting the really valuable stuff. The good stuff comes out for a song or two and goes back to it's cases. The LTD stuff comes out so they can beat the crap out of it.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

Hmm, it's tough. LTD's are great for their price and the high end LTD's are sometimes better than the low ESP's. I can tell you the quality difference is better than EPI and Gibson. There is a definite variation on a high end ESP as to it's low end counterpart. ESP's are amazing guitars and are easily IMHO the best quality mass manufacturer out there. All around better quality. Price tag is up to you, I think they're worth it, then again I don't own any new ones. I'd rather buy a caparison.

Ive never had the chance to play a Caparison..

 

[Zerberus]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

IMO the difference between an LTD and a real ESP is very much like the difference between a current Jap Jackson and a USA. The cheaper one is made solidly and is a good guitar for the price, but once you jump off the pier and get the real thing you almost never consider turning back... the downside is that you really start to develop an aversion to anything but the very best after a while

 

[BloodRose]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

I've had both. I had an ESP, basically a KH2 but the neck had no skull and crossbone inlays and the headstock was not inverted. Other than that, identical. It was a sweet freaking guitar. First really good axe I had ever bought, got it for a steal and played the crap out of it for 10 years until I had to raise funds for my BC Rich Bich Supreme.

I also had an LTD MH something or other. Top of the line 7 string or as top of the line as you could get in an LTD.

They couldn't have been more night and day. You're right in that the LTD's are well built play easily and sound good. What else do you need right? The difference for me was that the ESP basically played itself. The ESP was also a bolt on whereas the LTD was a neck through. One would think, or at least I would, the neck through would be better. I've always had a thing for N/T but this time around it wasn't doing it for me. For some reason the LTD felt "soft" to me, like flimsy maybe. The ESP was just a precision guitar. There wasn't a bad thing about that guitar.

It all came down to feel for me with this two.

As far as pros playing the LTD series, back in the day pros played platinum series BC Rich guitars which weren't near equivalent to their custom shops relatives and off the shelf Ibanez guitars which didnt match up to Steve Vai's JEMs. Don't put a lot of stock in what the pros are playing.

Metallica uses a lot of LTD stuff on stage. Mostly I would imagine the good ****'s at home. I read somewhere that Kirk brings something like 20 LTD versions of his KH2s so as to not beat the crap out of the ones he's had made for him. I would believe the same of James as I'm sure he doesn't want his true customs out there much. Not that they won't use them but for day in and out touring, you'd better believe they're protecting the really valuable stuff. The good stuff comes out for a song or two and goes back to it's cases. The LTD stuff comes out so they can beat the crap out of it.

You kinda hit it on the head..Im thinking this thing is so good, what more do I need? But then I cant help but think, if this "low line" one is this good, the top line must be friggin unreal!!
But, not only can I not afford the top dog, Id be afraid to play it and def would be horrified to take it outside my house..
There is a vid on youtube of a dude playing the ESP gus G and it looks like he is barely playing it.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

I have played both LTD and ESP versions of the Horizon guitars as well as some M-IIs.

First of all I have to agree that the high-end LTDs are actually sometimes even better than the low-end ESPs!
Secondly, they are both really well made but the ESPs, as expected, have a far greater attention to detail PLUS, they basically have the same price with "production" models when you custom order one (at least here they do, BTW, by "custom" I mean normal stuff; pickups/bridge etc on their usual models).

Are they 2-3 times the guitars? Hardly, besides, guitars that high up rarely are.
However it is that 10-15% difference that actually does makes the difference to those willing to go that extra mile...

 

[apj]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

I have a LTD H 1000 Deluxe as well as a ESP Horizon standard, I can tell you that the ltd plays awesome and is a killer sounding guitar, but the ESP blows it away. Way more sustain, way more tone, and the neck is absolutely killer. It's not the same as going for an epiphone to a Gibson, but there is a definite difference. Is it worth the price tag? Well I bought by ESP used for only 300 more so for me it was. No new guitar is worth the price tag, but I'd say ESP and PRS are the only guitars I would spend money on new.

 

[H8Red442]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

To me n/t guitars have always had this solid feel to them. Pick em up, their weighty, feel nice and solid, smooth all around. Bolt ons have rarely if ever felt like that.

To me the n/t LTD felt like a bolt on. The ESP I had was a solid instrument. Comfy, barely there and played like butter. Not to mention the clarity without losing it's heaviness.

When I used to watch Mike Wilton and Chris DeGarmo or Kirk Hammet play their ESP they just looked SOLID. Just great, sturdy, solid instruments. Even when I took my g/f to see Madonna back in 1993 or so, her guitarist was playing ESP and that thing was just awesome. That solid feel came through when holding and playing it.

You've got to consider there's a reason for the LTDs to have all the crazy appointments they do at the price pint they're at.

Like Zerb said, the difference is every bit the difference of MIJ Jackson and a USA. Perhaps it's something intangible but you know when you feel it.

BloodRose, keep checking eBay for used ESPs. I ended up selling mine a few years ago for about $250. Besides some cosmetic damage, it was in perfect condition. Just keep your eyes open and don't settle for anything less than you want.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

I too have to agree that the real ESPs have so far in my experience always been far better than the LTD models, which are far from bad. But naturally this varies from guitar to guitar.

The price issue is a personal question for all of us. In my opinion the ESPs are pretty competitively priced over here, maybe a bit too expensive for my tastes. But one can find them much cheaper used, especially the older ones.

When looking at pro gear I wouldn't always 100% assume that what it says on the headstock actually means where it came from.

 

[kherman]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

I'm taking the middle ground on this!

Edwards. :banana:


Some day I will own one of these. :notworthy

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

That's what I were thinking as well!!!

(both the Edwards and the Kiko sig )

 

[BloodRose]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

I'm taking the middle ground on this!

Edwards. :banana:


Some day I will own one of these. :notworthy

Oh yeah! Always loved this too! And would love to get a V and another sykes..

I know the sykes I had was good.. Do the Edwards fall between LTD and ESP ?
Man, I love that one you posted!!! And I told myself no more buying.. Luckily Im so broke I cant afford to think about it.. (luckily???)

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

I've owned several of both. IMO the big difference is the quality of the wood. Fit and finish is excellent on both, but the wood makes a difference. I thought my EC-1000 (I owned two, red and black) were great until I A/B'd them against my Eclipse. The Eclipse was noticeably clearer and sounded nicer. The EC-1000 didn't sound bad, but sounded slightly muffled and less clear by comparison.

 

[Nate]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

Here is the conclusion I came up with when I used to work at a music store:

LTD's Deluxe series completely owns other brands on quality for the price range. ESP flat out owns. When my store finally started getting in ESP guitars (after nearly a year of demanding and begging from me), I was amazed at the difference. As a comparison, I set up and played an M-1000 (my best selling shredder guitar - it never stayed in my store for more than three weeks) and a new M-II bolt-on. The M-1000 played and sounded great! Then I plugged in the M-II afterwards and nearly creamed myself! It had soooooo much more vibe than the M-1000 and it just felt like an instrument. I couldn't go back to the other guitar after that. :lol:

And side note BloodRose, how neck heavy is that Gus G? I've been GASing for one of those like a mofo.

 

[Curt]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

There is a large difference between ESP and LTD, LTD's are great, ESP's are just ****ing ubelievable. I swear and to quote the guys at ESP USA message boards. They use mystic woods. :lol:

 

[BloodRose]

Re: LTD Vs ESP?

Here is the conclusion I came up with when I used to work at a music store:

LTD's Deluxe series completely owns other brands on quality for the price range. ESP flat out owns. When my store finally started getting in ESP guitars (after nearly a year of demanding and begging from me), I was amazed at the difference. As a comparison, I set up and played an M-1000 (my best selling shredder guitar - it never stayed in my store for more than three weeks) and a new M-II bolt-on. The M-1000 played and sounded great! Then I plugged in the M-II afterwards and nearly creamed myself! It had soooooo much more vibe than the M-1000 and it just felt like an instrument. I couldn't go back to the other guitar after that. :lol:

And side note BloodRose, how neck heavy is that Gus G? I've been GASing for one of those like a mofo.

Wow!! I really cant imagine that they could be THAT much better.

How neck heavy?? Hard to describe.. If you let hang from the strap, it will quickly drop to 5 oclock. When playing, I have my arm on the top of the body, I have no problems. So, I dont see it as a reason Not to get one, as its not much of an issue when playing. Its not like you have to fight it.