Which one of these two guitars and why?

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Get the Charvel. Alternatively, you can get a Jackson Monarkh SC, which has the Les Paul-ish body, shorter scale, speedy shred neck, fixed bridge, and is not an LTD. You can also get the flamed maple cap, and depending on the model range, bolt-on neck or set-neck. The most expensive one is only $800 USD.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

I'd personally pick the ESP due to preferring short scale length and disliking compound radius.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

I think if you don't currently have a 24-fret guitar, you should get the LTD Eclipse. Having those two extra frets at the top may not seem like something you need, but IMO they are nice to have. I only have one guitar with 24 frets and I wish that wasn't the case.

Both of them will play really well, and I have yet to put my hands on a LTD Deluxe series guitar that didn't feel fantastic. Like Kamanda said the neck is going to be thinner than a standard LP, and possibly easier to play. The tone is going to be darker too, but the JB in the bridge will help it cut. I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

The LTD is based on a "can't go wrong" recipe : solid single cut set-in construction, mahogany, HH, shorter scale. All these give fantastic dark and fat clean tones, ideal for jazz, blues, and of course hard rock and metal (+the +2 frets). Looks are great as well. 3-pcs neck seems good. 14" radius cool for shred. On the cons, I'd say that the design is a little blunt, like it can be found on so many guitars.
The Charvel also is based on the classic super strat design : bolt-on, HH, classic 25.5" scale. This will give good cleans for blues and rock, but even better distorted tones. It looks so modern and sexy :

Where IMHO the Charvel wins :
- Distinctive looks/colours are almost gorgeous
- Graphite re-inforcement in the neck. Maybe just a gimmick but its cool to know your neck is ultra strong
- 12"->16" compound radius ideal for both shredding and bending up the neck on low action, without choked notes, while playing effortless chords on the lower frets.
- New innovative heel truss rod nut! (not necessarily better but still innovative)

All in all I think there is more "technology" into the Charvel, but in the end it is tone and sustain that matters so you gotta try both to know for sure. If not, go for the looks and I am sure either will play and sound great!

 

[Emopunk]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

All your last comments sound pretty solid. Great reading.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

It would be good to get John Jolly in to comment on this. Notorious LP slinger gone over to the Charvel camp.

Which shows his judgment is suspect...

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

- New innovative heel truss rod nut! (not necessarily better but still innovative)

Although I agree with the rest of your post, the heel truss rod nut is hardly an innovation for Charvel. MusicMan (and I'm sure others can chime in even further) have been doing this for years. I actually am 180 on your comment haha Not innovative but definitely better.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Yes I understand that they are quite different beasts. I am sure I like the pickup combinations, and I want it with fixed bridge. But here where I live there's no way I could try them both.. I own a strat and a LP and I feel confortable playing both actually, that's why I am considering both. I imagine one other big thing to consider is that the ESP is a 24 frets guitar. I own nothing like that at the moment.

I think if you don't currently have a 24-fret guitar, you should get the LTD Eclipse. Having those two extra frets at the top may not seem like something you need, but IMO they are nice to have. I only have one guitar with 24 frets and I wish that wasn't the case.

Both of them will play really well, and I have yet to put my hands on a LTD Deluxe series guitar that didn't feel fantastic. Like Kamanda said the neck is going to be thinner than a standard LP, and possibly easier to play. The tone is going to be darker too, but the JB in the bridge will help it cut. I don't think you can go wrong.

You really should play a 24-fret guitar before buying one even if you're not able to play this exact model. The longer fingerboard necessitates moving the neck pickup which in turn changes its tonality. Some people don't mind, while others (like myself) can't stand the altered tonality. Just something else to consider before making your purchase.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

You really should play a 24-fret guitar before buying one even if you're not able to play this exact model. The longer fingerboard necessitates moving the neck pickup which in turn changes its tonality. Some people don't mind, while others (like myself) can't stand the altered tonality. Just something else to consider before making your purchase.

+1. 24 frets are overrated. There's no free lunch.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Yeah, you pretty much shot me down at the same time I was typing my reply. Haha. Your orig post didn't state that. Anyhow, you may have answered your own question. I believe you said you play faster on the LP type.. Now I know it's not all about speed though. Why do you suppose you play faster? Comfort with the slinkier tension? Let's ask this, what is it about your currents you don't like and want to improve?

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Randy, did you ever play my Edwards Sykes?

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Charvel usually trumps LTD, buuuuuuuuuuut LP trumps Strat ..... that's a hard one. I'd go LP

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Seriously, you need to try those two guitars out before you go buying one over the other. Worlds apart in the way they feel, sound and play. They're both good quality, so don't be skewed by the looks alone...get the guitar you'll be happy with over the long term based on sound and feel.

 

[Emopunk]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

If I had to go the Ibanez route, I think I'd prefer a fixed bridge model, like this one:

 

[greekdude]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Although I agree with the rest of your post, the heel truss rod nut is hardly an innovation for Charvel. MusicMan (and I'm sure others can chime in even further) have been doing this for years. I actually am 180 on your comment haha Not innovative but definitely better.

ooops I didn't know that. I just knew that truss rod adjustment in the heel generally used to be a major PITA and this one seemed somewhat better. I cannot see the benefits of the heel nut, or heel's side nut (warmoth) or headstock nut design.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Randy, did you ever play my Edwards Sykes?

Don't think so...

 

[elelpe]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Since you don't have a 24-fret guitar, I'd say go with LTD. In this EC series the neck pickup positioned closer towards the bridge so I doubt you'd have problem with boominess of '59 that tends to occur in LP style guitar. I don't know if it would be cramped for you at higher registers though since it's a short scale guitar. Having said that, longer scale 24 fretters from Schecter that equipped with Duncans like C1 Classic and KM series are worth looking into (double cut with set-neck/neck-thru construction).

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

I'd personally pick the ESP due to preferring short scale length and disliking compound radius.

Kinda chuckling to myself.. User name: Jackson Distortion. Avatar: ESP..

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Don't think so...

Thought you did, but I dont recall what you saw and what you didnt.. haha.. Too many passing thru in those days. They are nice. I want another.. will have to discuss what you might wanna check out so I can be prepared next time I can swing by..

 

[Emopunk]

Re: Which one of these two guitars and why?

Since you don't have a 24-fret guitar, I'd say go with LTD. In this EC series the neck pickup positioned closer towards the bridge so I doubt you'd have problem with boominess of '59 that tends to occur in LP style guitar. I don't know if it would be cramped for you at higher registers though since it's a short scale guitar. Having said that, longer scale 24 fretters from Schecter that equipped with Duncans like C1 Classic and KM series are worth looking into (double cut with set-neck/neck-thru construction).

Interesting point. What do you mean with this statement: "I don't know if it would be cramped for you at higher registers though since it's a short scale guitar."?
Care to explain? Thanks.