I’ve had mine for a couple years, and I like the feel so much that I’ve decided to make some upgrades instead of continuing to try to find one that I like better. I do have a few disagreements though. The tuners are fine, a solid B in my mind. They hold tune nicely, but they can be a little jumpy. Also the neck is set, but NOT set through. That would be insanely awesome at this price point. You are totally right about the pickups being dark. Not the leader in clarity, but definitely a cool and unique sound. I’m also surprised you didn’t touch on the coil split on this. That does offer a very different take on the sound. Still dark, but absolutely a different and very usable tone. I think that needs to be mentioned when it comes to versatility. Hard to beat for the price, especially as a mod platform.
All good for sure!!!! I like what you say. The thing about the dark sound which I do like so I use the guitar for specific purposes like doom stuff. What’s always interesting about the sound is how transfers in various rigs. I don’t use plugins so my amp and speakers are bringing out a darker doom sound. It’s awesome that our individual gear is creating awesome sound with varying gear. Stay well.
Cool vid bro I like the Eclipse series my friend has a 7 string version with EMG’s,I have an old discontinued LTD Vortex V 401-DX with EMG 81’s & Floyd rose that I just fitted a new trem on
Looking at one for £150 UK, seems like a decent deal. Anyone got any tips on the satin finish, as the one I'm looking at has a few scratches in it. Thanks in advance, great vid 🤟
Nice review brother! I'll definitely keep an eye on this guitar. Overall it seems like a well performing piece and I really like the darker sound of the pick ups, especially for my second love: Dooooooom 🤘🏻😈🤘🏻
I was thinking on buying this for doom drone precisely but not sure if the pickups would do. I was thinking on adding two awesome pickups from MOJO called hellbend.
May I know your considerations for stating that this guitar is not for fast playing such as Thrash metal? I’m targeting this guitar for Thrash, Heavy, Punk rhythmic guitar.
Hi nice to hear from you. When I compare this guitar to my Jackson, PRS or my five Solars I feel those guitars just play faster with ease. Now with that said, this is only My opinion and how I vibe with the LTD guitar. I can only compare to my other guitars. For me it just seems that the guitar didn’t react to speed well. With that said I have some had some awesome results with slower stuff, especially doom style. See if you can compare some guitars at guitar center or whatever you have by you. The guitar could be perfect for you. Good luck. Keep me posted on your choice. Stay safe!
Lovely review. Better than most out there. Congratulations. 100% accurate on the 'speed' thing, wonderful doom/desert guitar. I modded the living crap out of it. Gotoh locking tuners, freaking string butler, rollerbridge, tusq nut, Schaller tailpiece. JB/59 pickups, slammed an alnico4 into the 59, drilled new pot holes, redid all electronics, but MOST importantly: shielding paint!!!! The EC-256 comes with an ungrounded aluminum foil cover on the cavities, which is a bit stupid. When changing pickups and redoing electronics take the extra step to shield and ground it. It might be "a piece of plywood" but it's one of the most beautiful pieces of plywood i ever had in my hands. The wood quality varies. Check the woodwork, neck and fingerboard when buying an EC-256 and - if you find a nice one - you can step by step rebuild it into an instrument surpassing some EC-1000s. Sure, doing all this you spend almost the same on the parts, but it's your own custom 256 now and that's fun. :) There is a problem though, you have to set it up quite a lot which strains the truss rod. Always tricky to get it right without buzz, no way to run low Ibanez levels of string action.
@@larrymartins3014 It was the first guitar I bought with my not-yet-girlfriend :D, and buying the cheap little underdog instead of the almighty EC-1000 helped a bit maybe. :P Yeah well and don't take any shit for the talking part. I'm the same. People complain about others talking too much then suffer from not opening their stupid mouth. Sorry, but it's yet a skill you have to practice. Won't work by shutting up. :)
Great review man! I’m glad you like your guitar. I have the purple EC-256 and honestly, it never stated it tune until I changed the nut and tuners, and the pickups are very dark like you said, but they seem muddy and I can’t wait to rid them out lol
nice review man! i have 7 string version of same guitar (ec-257) and everything you said is true to my instrument as well. i would just add that it's pretty lightweight for mahogany body guitar.
Nice guitar Larry, good review. I wanted to buy a b stock Gary Holt replica single cut, always by LTD, but someone else has been faster than me. Now that I've watched your review I'm even more into having my first single cut. I guess I'll buy a brand new one... Stay Metal mate 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Hey man! Just came across this video researching this guitar. For someone who's buying their first guitar that's not the cheapest entry level guitar, what would you reccomend for about the same price point? I'm mostly interested in hardcore, punk and faster metal. Thanks dude!
Well you are certainly setting out to play the good stuff.i would take a look at Jackson’s Dinky, S By Solar, Ibanez. The make a variety of stuff in your price range that do the trick for you. I would also stay away from Epiphone. Please let me know if you have other questions.
I realize that every single one of you know far far more than I. That being said, I am a brand new beginner at 61 y/o. I research far far too much on anything. But I bought one of these used and am very impressed at 250.00 I paid for it. I wanted a HSS or HH since I detest the sound of a single coil at the bridge p/u. I wish you continued down the guitar a bit more. At the cheaper price points, the market is flooded with garbage bridges and tremolo's. I opted out of a trem because they were all so cheap and troublesome at this price point. (I looked at lots of Strat style) This guitar IMO is solid AF for the money here. For a beginner guitar, I do have a little trouble with the narrow Nut at 1.650. Wish it was a bit wider. (even 1.690 would be great for me) But I'm happy. Time to go practice. 🙂
Glad you are loving the guitar and glad you are playing at 61. I turned 60 in sept. I have been recently playing for two years solid after a 20 year hiatus. Welcome home!
I had this guitar and unfortunately I parted ways with it in favor of the EC 1000T. I feel that the 200 series from LTD is a solid choice but if you are used with better appointments the LTD 1000 and Deluxe series are a better bang for the buck.
nice job- are you familiar with Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 guitar Modern Ash FR6 ? how do they compare to Black Winter SD pickups? my style lean towards black metal
Hi sorry for the delay. Personally I don’t think there’s too much difference. The Jackson pickups in their higher end models are damn good. With that said I’m a fan of black winter pick ups. I put one in my PRS. They are great and very loud. I would say as a fan of black metal the way the black winters can cut through a mix can be very beneficial.
@@larrymartins3014 my first guitar at that price range i used to have a js30, 2 cheap crap strats, ltd mmv-9, the cheapest epiphone lp and a harley benton so i'm liking this very much
Great review Larry! That guitar seems to be a pretty good deal. It looks really cool and sounds good! 🤘🤘🤘
Thank man.thank you for the support. Glad you liked the review.
Loved the video man keep up the great work ❤ 🤘
Thank you very much
One of the best all around guitar I've owned in 60 years, and I've own them all!🎉
I’ve had mine for a couple years, and I like the feel so much that I’ve decided to make some upgrades instead of continuing to try to find one that I like better.
I do have a few disagreements though. The tuners are fine, a solid B in my mind. They hold tune nicely, but they can be a little jumpy. Also the neck is set, but NOT set through. That would be insanely awesome at this price point.
You are totally right about the pickups being dark. Not the leader in clarity, but definitely a cool and unique sound.
I’m also surprised you didn’t touch on the coil split on this. That does offer a very different take on the sound. Still dark, but absolutely a different and very usable tone. I think that needs to be mentioned when it comes to versatility.
Hard to beat for the price, especially as a mod platform.
All good for sure!!!! I like what you say. The thing about the dark sound which I do like so I use the guitar for specific purposes like doom stuff. What’s always interesting about the sound is how transfers in various rigs. I don’t use plugins so my amp and speakers are bringing out a darker doom sound. It’s awesome that our individual gear is creating awesome sound with varying gear. Stay well.
Cool vid bro I like the Eclipse series my friend has a 7 string version with EMG’s,I have an old discontinued LTD Vortex V 401-DX with EMG 81’s & Floyd rose that I just fitted a new trem on
Thanks.That all sounds like some awesome gear.honey are doing well.
Looking at one for £150 UK, seems like a decent deal. Anyone got any tips on the satin finish, as the one I'm looking at has a few scratches in it.
Thanks in advance, great vid 🤟
Dude, your guitar playing style is cool, thought John Petrucci when looking to your vid's thumb for the first time, no kidding!
I seriously really appreciate your kind words. Thank you so much.
Nice review brother! I'll definitely keep an eye on this guitar. Overall it seems like a well performing piece and I really like the darker sound of the pick ups, especially for my second love: Dooooooom 🤘🏻😈🤘🏻
Sounds like we have some things in common. DOOOOM! Anyway thank you for the supper and I’m glad you found the review helpful.
I was thinking on buying this for doom drone precisely but not sure if the pickups would do. I was thinking on adding two awesome pickups from MOJO called hellbend.
Grabbed up a Cherry Burst about a month ago. Love it so far.
Nice!!!!!
May I know your considerations for stating that this guitar is not for fast playing such as Thrash metal?
I’m targeting this guitar for Thrash, Heavy, Punk rhythmic guitar.
Hi nice to hear from you. When I compare this guitar to my Jackson, PRS or my five Solars I feel those guitars just play faster with ease. Now with that said, this is only
My opinion and how I vibe with the LTD guitar. I can only compare to my other guitars. For me it just seems that the guitar didn’t react to speed well. With that said I have some had some awesome results with slower stuff, especially doom style. See if you can compare some guitars at guitar center or whatever you have by you. The guitar could be perfect for you. Good luck. Keep me posted on your choice. Stay safe!
dude made it to 500!
Some how yes, thank you for your support !
It's my most favorite guitar ever. It's affordable and metal af! I'm on my second 256 satin black model right now.
Awesome!!!!
Lovely review. Better than most out there. Congratulations.
100% accurate on the 'speed' thing, wonderful doom/desert guitar.
I modded the living crap out of it. Gotoh locking tuners, freaking string butler, rollerbridge, tusq nut, Schaller tailpiece. JB/59 pickups, slammed an alnico4 into the 59, drilled new pot holes, redid all electronics, but MOST importantly: shielding paint!!!!
The EC-256 comes with an ungrounded aluminum foil cover on the cavities, which is a bit stupid. When changing pickups and redoing electronics take the extra step to shield and ground it.
It might be "a piece of plywood" but it's one of the most beautiful pieces of plywood i ever had in my hands.
The wood quality varies. Check the woodwork, neck and fingerboard when buying an EC-256 and - if you find a nice one - you can step by step rebuild it into an instrument surpassing some EC-1000s.
Sure, doing all this you spend almost the same on the parts, but it's your own custom 256 now and that's fun. :)
There is a problem though, you have to set it up quite a lot which strains the truss rod. Always tricky to get it right without buzz, no way to run low Ibanez levels of string action.
Thank you so much for the kind words. Beats yesterday when someone said I talk too much. Anyway your version being messed out incredible!
@@larrymartins3014 It was the first guitar I bought with my not-yet-girlfriend :D, and buying the cheap little underdog instead of the almighty EC-1000 helped a bit maybe. :P
Yeah well and don't take any shit for the talking part. I'm the same. People complain about others talking too much then suffer from not opening their stupid mouth. Sorry, but it's yet a skill you have to practice. Won't work by shutting up. :)
And… thank you so much for watching. Hope is still good with the girlfriend!
Awesome video!
Thank you very much and thank for subscribing to my channel.
Great review man! I’m glad you like your guitar. I have the purple EC-256 and honestly, it never stated it tune until I changed the nut and tuners, and the pickups are very dark like you said, but they seem muddy and I can’t wait to rid them out lol
Hello. Sorry you had some trouble with that guitar. Sounds like you have some pick up work ahead of you.
@@larrymartins3014 the only upgrade I have left is to install EMGs in it
nice review man! i have 7 string version of same guitar (ec-257) and everything you said is true to my instrument as well. i would just add that it's pretty lightweight for mahogany body guitar.
Regarding the weight, I must say I didn’t even think of that one. Thank you watching and thank you for the. Support.
Nice guitar Larry, good review. I wanted to buy a b stock Gary Holt replica single cut, always by LTD, but someone else has been faster than me. Now that I've watched your review I'm even more into having my first single cut. I guess I'll buy a brand new one... Stay Metal mate 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Thank you. Stay metal, hmm is there anything else. 😀🎵👽☠️
Hey man! Just came across this video researching this guitar.
For someone who's buying their first guitar that's not the cheapest entry level guitar, what would you reccomend for about the same price point? I'm mostly interested in hardcore, punk and faster metal.
Thanks dude!
Hey nice to hear from you. I’m going into a Dr. appointment. I will get back to you with details. You have my word.
Well you are certainly setting out to play the good stuff.i would take a look at Jackson’s Dinky, S By Solar, Ibanez. The make a variety of stuff in your price range that do the trick for you. I would also stay away from Epiphone. Please let me know if you have other questions.
I realize that every single one of you know far far more than I. That being said, I am a brand new beginner at 61 y/o. I research far far too much on anything. But I bought one of these used and am very impressed at 250.00 I paid for it. I wanted a HSS or HH since I detest the sound of a single coil at the bridge p/u.
I wish you continued down the guitar a bit more. At the cheaper price points, the market is flooded with garbage bridges and tremolo's. I opted out of a trem because they were all so cheap and troublesome at this price point. (I looked at lots of Strat style)
This guitar IMO is solid AF for the money here. For a beginner guitar, I do have a little trouble with the narrow Nut at 1.650. Wish it was a bit wider. (even 1.690 would be great for me)
But I'm happy. Time to go practice. 🙂
Glad you are loving the guitar and glad you are playing at 61. I turned 60 in sept. I have been recently playing for two years solid after a 20 year hiatus. Welcome home!
I had this guitar and unfortunately I parted ways with it in favor of the EC 1000T. I feel that the 200 series from LTD is a solid choice but if you are used with better appointments the LTD 1000 and Deluxe series are a better bang for the buck.
Changing the pickups out. Just not feeling it.
Depends on what you want. I want to change the pickups for something more dense and filthy. 😊
@@adamantiuscloudcat1799 Im looking into the Arcane. I need something with less midrange and honk.
nice job- are you familiar with Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 guitar Modern Ash FR6 ? how do they compare to Black Winter SD pickups? my style lean towards black metal
Hi sorry for the delay. Personally I don’t think there’s too much difference. The Jackson pickups in their higher end models are damn good. With that said I’m a fan of black winter pick ups. I put one in my PRS. They are great and very loud. I would say as a fan of black metal the way the black winters can cut through a mix can be very beneficial.
It's amazing! I use it as my new guita for my channel :))
What’s your Channel, happy to subscribe and support.
@@larrymartins3014 exactly the one i wrote my comment with :D
See what happens when I’m at work and I’m multi tasking. Oops!
I have officially signed to your channel.
@@larrymartins3014 thank you so much, great video btw :)
It looks like a pretty thin body, is there any neck dive on it?
No. I have not experienced any neck dive. (Thankfully)
@@larrymartins3014 Thanks bro. 👍🏻
I have one and it definitely has some neck dive, but nothing that couldn’t be resolved with a thicker strap.
I didn’t have any issues but maybe my strap was just right? At least everything is in line for me.
@@larrymartins3014 Thx Larry. 🤘🏻
I just picked one up for $200 🤘🏻
Nice price. I hope you enjoy it!!!!!!
Got one today for 170€💪
Nice!!!!! How you liking it?
@@larrymartins3014 my first guitar at that price range i used to have a js30, 2 cheap crap strats, ltd mmv-9, the cheapest epiphone lp and a harley benton so i'm liking this very much
I shred on mine
Thank you for watching. I’m glad you are enjoying the guitar