Test Drives...

[LesStrat]

I test drove an ESP LTD EC 1000STBC today. Fine guitar. Beautiful finish. EMG 81's. Played well, sounded good. A little brighter than I'd hoped, but a fine instrument anyway. However, I would like to try the Amberburst model with the SD pups (JB/59)...

Also, the salesman had a 2000 PRS CE24 that he was selling for $800 w/ hardcase. Again, a fine instrument. Near mint condition. I like the way the pup selector is wired, but I found it too hard to tell where it was set. I like the 5-way selector on the strat better. However, the PRS neck is a little wide for my taste, and as I have experienced with the others I have tried, the tone was too bright. Still, awful tempting for the price...

Of the two, I actually preferred the ESP. AND, they were selling it NEW for $699. I know, I know, it doesn't have the resale value of the PRS...but I liked it better anyway. BTW, the MF price is $799.

BTW, I played both axes through a Marshall AVT 50. Nice amp. But I still am not fond of the Marshall distortion.

 

[StratTom]

Re: Test Drives...

Cool! Thanks for the review LesStrat. I'm hoping to check out one of those ESP EC1000 myself. I'm not much of a PRS guy, but that's a really good deal for $800. Those Marshall AVT combo aren't that bad of amp either. I had a AVT100 for a few weeks that I bought used. Unfortantely I heard an unusal noise and took it back. For a practice amp they're not bad. The only thing I don't like is that they are a bit pricey for a solid state amp.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Test Drives...

Yeah, it was pretty cool. I still am not fond of the Marshall distortion, though.

Of the three, I really liked the EC1000

 

[casblah]

Re: Test Drives...

Yeah, it was pretty cool. I still am not fond of the Marshall distortion, though.

Of the three, I really liked the EC1000

In all fairness, I don't think that the AVT series has that classic Marshall sound. It's a far cry from the tubes series that Marshall produces. Having said that, the AVT's are a good amp for the $

 

[StratTom]

Re: Test Drives...

After reading this earlier today I went to Sam Ash and play an EC1000. They only had a black one, so I played that. I was really surprised and impressed by the EMG's. I would also like to hear what the sunburst with the 59/JB set is like, but I could really see myself grabbing one of them with the EMG's. I also got to play an Eclipse (the ESP one not LTD). I liked this one as well but I couldn't really see the difference in paying $500 more. BTW, I played both of these through a Marshall DSL40. I'd really like to hear how the EC1000 would sound through my 5150 setup. :32: I bet its sweet.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Test Drives...

I have the sunburst EC-1000 with duncans. By far the best guitar I've ever played or owned

 

[xerxes]

Re: Test Drives...

ive got an amburst model. got it for, get this, $600 with case. basically new. it was on the floor for like a week maybe two.

i friggin love mine. i like the disortion more with the duncans over the emg's as well as the cleans. it looks and plays killer as well.

imo, best bang for the buck for a les paul style guitar.

 

[StratTom]

Re: Test Drives...

imo, best bang for the buck for a les paul style guitar.

I agree! I was thinking about getting an Epi LP Custom, but I really like the feel and sound of the EC1000. I seriously want this to be my next guitar.

Xeromus, I noticed you have a Distortion in the bridge on yours. I've heard that the Duncan Distortions are similar to the EMG 81 pickups that are in the other EC1000 models. How does it sound compared to the stock JB?

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Test Drives...

I wonder why you can only get Duncans with the amber-burst model...I like the see-through black cherry finish, but I do prefer Duncan pups...

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Test Drives...

I agree! I was thinking about getting an Epi LP Custom, but I really like the feel and sound of the EC1000. I seriously want this to be my next guitar.

Xeromus, I noticed you have a Distortion in the bridge on yours. I've heard that the Duncan Distortions are similar to the EMG 81 pickups that are in the other EC1000 models. How does it sound compared to the stock JB?

Duncan Distortion is far superior to the 81 in the fact that it has real tone, plus sounds good clean, it can do more than vicious growling, and at that, it actually does a better job than the 81. The distortion has great "sizzle" to it also, you can do some smokin' blues licks with it. It's like a Custom with more balls and slightly less bass. I'm still torn between the JB and Distortion in this guitar. I'm not sure which one I'm going to go with in the long run yet.

 

[StratTom]

Re: Test Drives...

Duncan Distortion is far superior to the 81 in the fact that it has real tone, plus sounds good clean, it can do more than vicious growling, and at that, it actually does a better job than the 81. The distortion has great "sizzle" to it also, you can do some smokin' blues licks with it. It's like a Custom with more balls and slightly less bass. I'm still torn between the JB and Distortion in this guitar. I'm not sure which one I'm going to go with in the long run yet.

Have you put a Custom in there yet? I bet that would sound amazing.

LesStrat, I wonder the same thing. I think they should have the different pickup options available on all three finishes.