Shop the ESP LTD Signature Bill Kelliher Royal Shiva electric guitar 👉 Sweetwater.sjv.io/YRR33m Shop the Mojotone Bill Kelliher Hellbender humbucker pickup set 👉 Sweetwater.sjv.io/nXXJz6
Yeah the guitar market is out of control.. unless you are paying 5k for a guitar, the quality control will still be inconsistent. 2k guitars are "cheap made in Indonesia" guitars unfortunately. You could get one thats nice, but the opposite is also true.
I stopped buying LTDs. found used ESP for 1/4 of the price and 1/3 of the price of LTD, so it was an easy choice. Nowadays, I try new guitars but mostly are OK, some are good and the really good are the ones that cost 10 times the ESPs I have, but I can't justify that price. ESP has gone over their heads with the prices of LTDs. And I can say I've been playing ESP/LTD exclusive since 2009.
It's basically a Yamaha duble cut guitar from the 70ies. Woodrite and Dunable build the same type of guitar for roughly the same or less money. Seger builds a more expensive version if you are into custom shop guitars. First Act also built some custom shop guitars like that a couple of years ago for Matt Pike.
I love that Mastodon use passive guitars and not JUST EMGs into a tube screamer into a 5150. They always sound a bit more natural and original. Tone wise.
@srh361 I used a trade in and I have a good relationship with my dealer. Exclusivity of a signature model is what you're paying for at higher price points. There is also the chance the guitar will go up in value in the future, as Bill's other guitars have.
@@vulgar5595 Mine weighs 9 lb 15 oz. I only play standing up and I practice for about 40 minutes. I would definitely play one and see if the weight is a factor or if the veloute bothers you.
@@simonhawkes7469 he is, he just starting taking care of himself better and being more healthy because he’s starting getting up there in age now in his 50s
@1:09 it was so hard to design something unique that he ended up just landing on the Woodrite Warlord shape. Matt Pike's guitar looks exactly like this.
I’ll never really fully understand where the LTD/ESP line is… why even bother having two different “tiers” when the price ranges overlap? I suppose I’d understand if ESP were customs only and LTD was production, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Also, the ESP block style logo is so much better than their recent LTD logos - and don’t even get me started on the ‘handwritten’ logo style. The same can be said for Gibson/Epiphone, Epi has been pushing prices well into what used to be Gibson range, definitely still within Melody Maker/Junior range (both have the Gibson logo/headstock).
They started a budget brand because people whined that $3000+ is not a good price point. Then when the budget brand churned out a bunch of $300 guitars, people whined that it is not a good price point. So the budget line has to then refactor it's entire program to either upgrade their quality or make it seem at least an honest effort was made to. Big brands who want to act boutique like Gibson should have never entered into the budget game in the first place, ESPECIALLY considering the whole debacle of not ever wanting to market a solid body electric guitar in the first place because they thought it was a "fad" and a "gimmick" or "novelty" item that would not have market longevity. Doesn't help that Epiphone was an already established (and actually at one point higher end) brand when Gibson decided to do all this. As for ESP and LTD, it doesn't help when one of the world's biggest bands ever (Metallica) openly played LTD guitars literally anyone could buy at any guitar or pawn shop that sold LTDs. And this was after they had the money for the ESP versions of the same guitars.
Im with You, Dude. Back in the day ESP were made for Pros and LTD was the versions the general public could afford. I can't honestly play at a level that it makes any difference and I have a sweet rig... Wish I had a Hammett ESP though
Its crazy that these musicians build these guitars and price them out of everyones budget. Especially new or intermediate players who are inspired by these guys. What professional guitar player is playing someone elses model? The only one ive seen is Dimebags guitar.
Ibanez build for Vai and Satch, both the high end models for those two are well under $2000.00 Ibanez build excellent playable guitars and still get overlooked
@noahjohnston72 oh okay, it felt like it but im not very familiar with h&g. Not a fan of how it sounds uplifting (probably some major chords) im more of a minor and heavy riffs type of guy. I learned the intro riff from the vid but it feels super basic and kinda not that interesting but lets see how it will sound if it makes into a song. Theres two bars repeated a couple times so i doubt thats just random noodling he did there.
I've been playing his eclipse model for years. Love it so much that I write and perform everything for my band Dusk One on it. This one sounds less beefy, so I'm sticking with the Eclipse. DUSK ONE FFO Mastodon, Deftones, The Ocean,... If anyone wants to check it out
After melancholic Harsh and Grim and considering everything that is happening in the world, it would be very cool to hear from them an evil, not aggressive, but an evil record reflecting how tired up we all are already. Perhaps it will be so.
@@larsgleisberg1611 It is just a perspective thing I guess, I agree with what you are saying. Paying 8000$ on a guitar will give you more stylistic choices and more like a premiumness on a guitar, more like an expensive furniture these days :) Nothing is wrong anyway, If someone is having money to buy it let him, what's stopping :)
@JohnWiku I don't claim to know what percentage artists get off the sale of their "signature" model, but in a post-covid guitar world that is a $1,000 guitar and I doubt lil' Billy Kelliher is getting a grand on the back end.
Sadly, the more premium import guitars have been on a stupid upward price hike for years. I remember when the Keith Merror MKIII guitars were released at 1,699 or something fucked like that
@TobyKBTY I am, admittedly, stuck in the recent past. I am a lefty so you know my options are already limited, but 5 or 6 years ago I was buying Gibsons for less than what they are trying to get for epis now! I think about the guitars I own and feel fortunate that I jumped on opportunities when they were there because now I refuse to pay these insane prices for what I deem to be sub $1k guitars. Someone already said it...$2k is what you pay when you've decided to treat yourself to an ESP, not an LTD.
@@cryptcrusher5288 I feel you. I'd much much rather scour for used Gibsons, ESPs, Ibanez Prestiges than buy new Epiphones, LTDs, Schecters, Ibanez Premiums. In fact, this what most of my collection is made up of lol. Used, but quality instruments that aren't import models.
Oh come on man, this body shape was first created by first act guitars. And matt pike had the first. And then they made two more for Brent and bill wtf did they give him to say in this review 🤣
Disclaimer; I LOVE how this guitar looks!!! but unique body shape?! 😂 that's a very bold statement for copying something. @DoesItDoom Warlord ripoff 1:1 (which already is a re-do of a First Act) also Yamaha Revstars, and the Reverend Sensei... unique is really far off from the truth.
LTDs headstock are ugly asf! Don't know why but ESPs are better even still being ugly or a bit too "childish". I have a LTD EC1000 DLX but honestly I play more a SC Custom Harley Benton in E standard for some old Sepultura and 90s Death. Don't understand why a signature famous guitar player made by LTD and not a proper ESP. Also, more than €2k (2,5k euros = just nuts) in a guitar like this... Don't get me wrong, seems to ge a good guitar, looks kinda nice, but guys... Go on used market and probably you'll find something better and cheaper at the same time.
That isn't an original design. First Act used to design specially customized guitars for select artists during the early to 2010s. He ripped this design from that. And First Act ripped this design from Gibsons Barney Kessel guitar
allgood stuff, but I've seen this shape and overall concept copied way too many times by too many brands within the last couple of years. starting with with feckin dunable instr. etc etc etc not talking shit! all wonderful guitars.....just trends I guess!
Shop the ESP LTD Signature Bill Kelliher Royal Shiva electric guitar 👉 Sweetwater.sjv.io/YRR33m
Shop the Mojotone Bill Kelliher Hellbender humbucker pickup set 👉 Sweetwater.sjv.io/nXXJz6
I’m old enough to remember when LTDs were budget guitars. $2,000 is an ESP E-II price point.
Is it? Metallica probably used LTD's on every single album they charted with. Metallica is a "I could buy ESP the company" price point
Wonder why they can afford $1999 guitars and everyone else can't? 🤷🏻♂️
@@neilpatrickhairless Wrong. LTD's are fine guitars but Metallica uses ESP 99.9% of the time and they don't pay a nickel for any of them.
Yeah the guitar market is out of control.. unless you are paying 5k for a guitar, the quality control will still be inconsistent. 2k guitars are "cheap made in Indonesia" guitars unfortunately. You could get one thats nice, but the opposite is also true.
I stopped buying LTDs. found used ESP for 1/4 of the price and 1/3 of the price of LTD, so it was an easy choice. Nowadays, I try new guitars but mostly are OK, some are good and the really good are the ones that cost 10 times the ESPs I have, but I can't justify that price. ESP has gone over their heads with the prices of LTDs. And I can say I've been playing ESP/LTD exclusive since 2009.
I bet we just got a preview of new Mastodon songs.
5:42 That’s a tasty riff
@@FilleIceRises it reminded me of "Eyes of Serpents" The first one is definitely new though.
hell yeah. i LOVE hearing Bill and Brent play shit i've NEVER heard before and HOPING to hear in on a new album!
@@FilleIceRises it sounds like a riff that troy would sing over
@@tanozturk6417yeah the second one is definitely (the best part of) Eyes of Serpents.
Probably the best looking double cut I’ve seen.
It's basically a Yamaha duble cut guitar from the 70ies.
Woodrite and Dunable build the same type of guitar for roughly the same or less money. Seger builds a more expensive version if you are into custom shop guitars.
First Act also built some custom shop guitars like that a couple of years ago for Matt Pike.
I love that Mastodon use passive guitars and not JUST EMGs into a tube screamer into a 5150. They always sound a bit more natural and original. Tone wise.
Agreed . Never could gel with EMGs . I do like the fishman fluence though .. totally different beast
Yuuuup. Just had the stock EMG 81's pulled from my E-ii Arrow. Much better with a Tonezone / Air Norton.
I have this guitar. Its thick and heavy and prevents any neck dive from happening. It also has a headstock volute. Tons of output from those pickups.
@@thesilverburstreserve The $1999 price point of this guitar didn't bother you??
@srh361 I used a trade in and I have a good relationship with my dealer. Exclusivity of a signature model is what you're paying for at higher price points. There is also the chance the guitar will go up in value in the future, as Bill's other guitars have.
How often do You play it standing up? Wicked heavy?
@@vulgar5595 Mine weighs 9 lb 15 oz. I only play standing up and I practice for about 40 minutes. I would definitely play one and see if the weight is a factor or if the veloute bothers you.
@@thesilverburstreserve Id definitely try it out for awhile before buying it, looks like it has to be played standing or it'd be uncomfortable
I LOVE MASTODON!
yup🤘
Looks incredible. Very unique.
Outstanding on the details
Dayum, been out of the Mastodon loop a few years. Bill Is looking svelte
Gorgeous guitar, cant wait to see him fly with this🔥🔥🔥
Bill absolutely rules, one of the best riff writers in the business. Cant wait for new mastodon next year
Love the silver burst!!
Billy's little treat.
Gorgeous guitar wow.
This thing is €2,535. I could get a new E-II Eclipse for that!
Only if an e-II is what you want
Such a tight sound love it !
Unreal tone 🔥
Bill liked his Yamaha SG Signature, the design inspiration is from that guitar.
bill is my goat
Bill lost a ton of weight. he was never overweight but he's definitely trim now !!
Yeah I almost didn't recognize him !
He's really thin in the face. I hope he's OK :(
I was thinking the same thing.
Yeah i immediately noticed as well. I hope it's just age and not any health reason..
@@simonhawkes7469 he is, he just starting taking care of himself better and being more healthy because he’s starting getting up there in age now in his 50s
Touring with Coheed and Cambria is a cool choice.
Anything that resembles this Devilry of a beautiful Guitar is the perfect G for my Doommetal soul
Bill, how long did it take you to design a Yamaha Revstar?
First Act Matt Pike
@@dereklinfitt8875 he had the first act at the same time as matt pike too
Man, we stopped at Sweetwater while we were on tour and I was stoked to check this out but the setup was so bad that I couldn’t play it haha
Looks identical to First Act and Woodrite, but I don't mind because its a nice design.
Jokes aside Bill would still come up with the coolest riffs on a 100 dollar amazon guitar
basically an affordable version of the first act custom shops
“Affordable” 😂 I know what you mean though. There’s also the Woodrite double cuts.
@@user-pl7lr5dn8q Hahaha "affordable", yeah right.
yes but the guitar im talking about goes for 3 to 4k. But yea ESP is outta oocket cause reverb has used japanese stuff for barely more than 2k
it's an ltd branded yamaha revstar lol
'Designed' a guitar that looks identical to what Brent Hinds used on one of the Crack The Skye BTS vids
definitely based on Hind's custom guitar. But can you blame him? It's a beautiful shape haha
Always loved Bills riffs and playing style. He’s looking a little thin, I hope all is well.
As nice as it is that's
insane money for a Ltd
Bet one of the open tabs on his browser when he was designing this was the Woodrite website
@1:09 it was so hard to design something unique that he ended up just landing on the Woodrite Warlord shape. Matt Pike's guitar looks exactly like this.
it looks alot like First Act guitars to me. or an old Yamaha SG2000
The Woodrite Warlord is very much based on the First Act and Yamaha SG
He was talking about the Sparowhawk from a few years ago.
That was my first thought
@@7ornge This is the right answer.
Killer guitar but hard pass at $1999!!!!!
Wait for the Chinese clone
@@ToneNailerpersonally id rather spend the 2 grand, but get an american guitar.
We are not the same
@@Ottophilwrong we all poop
@@Littlesuzieofficial18 you have a bidet too? Cause we might clean our butts differently, lets talk about HOW we poop. Squatty potty fan?
@@Ottophil 🙊🙊🙊
Wow coil splitting?? Very cool!
I’ll never really fully understand where the LTD/ESP line is… why even bother having two different “tiers” when the price ranges overlap? I suppose I’d understand if ESP were customs only and LTD was production, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Also, the ESP block style logo is so much better than their recent LTD logos - and don’t even get me started on the ‘handwritten’ logo style. The same can be said for Gibson/Epiphone, Epi has been pushing prices well into what used to be Gibson range, definitely still within Melody Maker/Junior range (both have the Gibson logo/headstock).
They started a budget brand because people whined that $3000+ is not a good price point. Then when the budget brand churned out a bunch of $300 guitars, people whined that it is not a good price point. So the budget line has to then refactor it's entire program to either upgrade their quality or make it seem at least an honest effort was made to. Big brands who want to act boutique like Gibson should have never entered into the budget game in the first place, ESPECIALLY considering the whole debacle of not ever wanting to market a solid body electric guitar in the first place because they thought it was a "fad" and a "gimmick" or "novelty" item that would not have market longevity. Doesn't help that Epiphone was an already established (and actually at one point higher end) brand when Gibson decided to do all this. As for ESP and LTD, it doesn't help when one of the world's biggest bands ever (Metallica) openly played LTD guitars literally anyone could buy at any guitar or pawn shop that sold LTDs. And this was after they had the money for the ESP versions of the same guitars.
Im with You, Dude. Back in the day ESP were made for Pros and LTD was the versions the general public could afford. I can't honestly play at a level that it makes any difference and I have a sweet rig...
Wish I had a Hammett ESP though
@ The Hammett LTDs are phenomenal though, it’s just a shame that having ESP on the headstock is very out of reach for most consumers :(
Love the tasty eyes of serpents there at the end 🤘🏼🩶
25 inch scale..i wonder if he uses this guitar for the AGCFAD tuning
He used a les paul for the A tuning in the past so, why wouldn't he use this one?
@stdorion yeah, he was using LP scale for A tuning in the past, i was assuming he liked this scale for better tuning stability/string tension.
🔥🔥🔥🔥👏🏻👏🏻
It's a monster ❤❤
Its crazy that these musicians build these guitars and price them out of everyones budget. Especially new or intermediate players who are inspired by these guys. What professional guitar player is playing someone elses model? The only one ive seen is Dimebags guitar.
I highly doubt Bill is the one setting the price in this one
Ibanez build for Vai and Satch, both the high end models for those two are well under $2000.00 Ibanez build excellent playable guitars and still get overlooked
Well under $2000?? The Steve Vai pia signature is $4800
Hmm Pete Townsend played a fender Eric Clapton Strat for a long time. Guess he’s not a professional
@ haha. If Im paying 2k for a guitar and establishing my own brand as a player Im not playing someone elses guitar. Thats just me.
"can i design my own?'
"No, Bill. You're a giant weirdo"
Look likes something a jazz player would use
Wasn't he a cop in Super Troopers?!?
Hey, anybody?
Let's guess what's would name of a song in future Bill plays in beginning!
Nice Yamaha SG rippoff.
welll if yamaha doesnt make them anymore someone should ... and he was endorsed by yamaha in the 2000s
Naw….looks more like a First Act Custom Shop. The Yamaha SG has smaller horns.
New song sneak peak in both intro and outro? Both cool but intro is way more interesting
The outro is from Eyes of Serpents off Hushed & Grim. I couldn't place the intro so hopefully that's indeed something new!
@noahjohnston72 oh okay, it felt like it but im not very familiar with h&g. Not a fan of how it sounds uplifting (probably some major chords) im more of a minor and heavy riffs type of guy. I learned the intro riff from the vid but it feels super basic and kinda not that interesting but lets see how it will sound if it makes into a song. Theres two bars repeated a couple times so i doubt thats just random noodling he did there.
@feno8983i can tell you're not familiar cause uplifting is the last word in the language i'd use to describe H&G 😂
Hushed and grim is awesome, also the songs on that record do not sound uplifting at all, it’s the saddest record they’ve ever made
I was reffering this particular part he plays in the outro@@puppetmaster8551
He looks like my woodworking teacher from high school
Cool Ibanez artist
That Friedman helps
Nice Yamaha SG 2000 copy.
I don't know how to describe it, but nobody can paint a silverburst that looks right besides gibson and first act
When you're not enough good to be a Yamaha artist, made a copy of their guitar with ESP :D
In only know 3 tunings in mastodon .... D standard , drop C and drop A (like drop C with an A replacing the C) what are the others tunings please ?
center of the earth
That’s… not what drop A is. Tune down every string a minor 3rd from drop C to get to drop A
@@ghost_java35 AGCFAD on tuner. Everyone understand that way . It's call drop A too, even if that's not the drop A like nile and slipknot uses.
whats the outro riff from?
Looks like the Yamaha that Issei Nora from Casiopea uses
I've been playing his eclipse model for years. Love it so much that I write and perform everything for my band Dusk One on it. This one sounds less beefy, so I'm sticking with the Eclipse.
DUSK ONE FFO Mastodon, Deftones, The Ocean,... If anyone wants to check it out
Checked it out - I liked 'Trial By Fire' 👍
I dont love this guitar, but it is very interesting. But i do love Mastodon.
isn't that the matt pike woodrite guitar lol?
After melancholic Harsh and Grim and considering everything that is happening in the world, it would be very cool to hear from them an evil, not aggressive, but an evil record reflecting how tired up we all are already. Perhaps it will be so.
Ibanez Artist with a bit of Reverend mixed in for good measure
Um, excuse me Mr. Bill sir, but um did you say your bridge pickup is a 19K Alnico 5 magnet? holy bajeebers!
He also said he doesnt like them too hot. So i think he meant 9
@@Ottophil I looked it up and his mojo tone bridge pickups are actually 19k
Just buy a woodrite warlord they’re made in the same factory as the ltd’s and they’re cheaper
unique shape?! 1:05 Has he never seen a Gibson SG ?
definitely sounds different than mastodon sounded before ...
Just double the 3 highest strings then you'll truly have something original!
Damn!!! No SS frets, no case, not US and all for the small price of 2k. I’ll stick to my PRS, Jackson’s and Ibanez
I love this guitar but $2k is asking too much.
LTD is no more a mid brand like Epiphone, most of them are player grade instruments
Agreed but 2000 bucks for a made in Korea is pretty hefty
@@larsgleisberg1611 It is just a perspective thing I guess, I agree with what you are saying. Paying 8000$ on a guitar will give you more stylistic choices and more like a premiumness on a guitar, more like an expensive furniture these days :) Nothing is wrong anyway, If someone is having money to buy it let him, what's stopping :)
@@judsonchristudas just to be clear. If I had the money I wouldn't care lol. I would buy "expensive furniture" every week haha
5:38 song name please!
maybe that's something new
Eyes of Serpents towards the end
Looks like a Woodrite Warlord
this is almost the price of a yamaha sg1820 which what this guitar is based on crazy times to be buying a guitar
spicy comment section is spicy
If only the SG style wasnt so top heavy, if you let go off neck it just drops
I wish everyone would stop referring to LTD's as ESP but at that price you might as well lol
Left handed guitars are more expensive vs right .
Bill is a blond Gordon Freeman!
see you handsome ladies at the Horseshoe Casino tomorrow.
A $2,000 LTD...ESP, you've lost the plot😔
But, but muh sig guitars 😂😂😂
@JohnWiku I don't claim to know what percentage artists get off the sale of their "signature" model, but in a post-covid guitar world that is a $1,000 guitar and I doubt lil' Billy Kelliher is getting a grand on the back end.
Sadly, the more premium import guitars have been on a stupid upward price hike for years. I remember when the Keith Merror MKIII guitars were released at 1,699 or something fucked like that
@TobyKBTY I am, admittedly, stuck in the recent past. I am a lefty so you know my options are already limited, but 5 or 6 years ago I was buying Gibsons for less than what they are trying to get for epis now! I think about the guitars I own and feel fortunate that I jumped on opportunities when they were there because now I refuse to pay these insane prices for what I deem to be sub $1k guitars. Someone already said it...$2k is what you pay when you've decided to treat yourself to an ESP, not an LTD.
@@cryptcrusher5288 I feel you. I'd much much rather scour for used Gibsons, ESPs, Ibanez Prestiges than buy new Epiphones, LTDs, Schecters, Ibanez Premiums. In fact, this what most of my collection is made up of lol. Used, but quality instruments that aren't import models.
Dear Esp, Bill is a great guy/guitar player and this guitar is a beauty... but you're out of your mind asking 2k $ for it...
Def don’t mean what it used to with these guys
Oh come on man, this body shape was first created by first act guitars. And matt pike had the first. And then they made two more for Brent and bill wtf did they give him to say in this review 🤣
Dunable Minotaur
Disclaimer; I LOVE how this guitar looks!!!
but
unique body shape?! 😂
that's a very bold statement for copying something.
@DoesItDoom Warlord ripoff 1:1 (which already is a re-do of a First Act)
also Yamaha Revstars, and the Reverend Sensei... unique is really far off from the truth.
LTDs headstock are ugly asf! Don't know why but ESPs are better even still being ugly or a bit too "childish". I have a LTD EC1000 DLX but honestly I play more a SC Custom Harley Benton in E standard for some old Sepultura and 90s Death.
Don't understand why a signature famous guitar player made by LTD and not a proper ESP. Also, more than €2k (2,5k euros = just nuts) in a guitar like this... Don't get me wrong, seems to ge a good guitar, looks kinda nice, but guys... Go on used market and probably you'll find something better and cheaper at the same time.
There is nothing unique about the look. It looks just like guitars Yamaha made in the 70's and 80's.
cool. so 40 years ago? good luck getting one of those today.
A really nice guitar, but nothing on it is worth 2400€?!
so he basically just stole the Dunable Minotaur and Woodrite Warlord shape(s) and assumes he came up with this LOL
And they stole the shape from First Act, which stole it from Yamaha (but just made it fatter).
Maybe stop thinking people will pay $2k for an LTD
For me, i m left hand, the price is to expensive.
That isn't an original design. First Act used to design specially customized guitars for select artists during the early to 2010s. He ripped this design from that. And First Act ripped this design from Gibsons Barney Kessel guitar
thats basically a Woodrite Warlord lol. that isn't an original design. he just copy pasted the Warlord lol
the lack of homage to first act here is disgusting. I love bill , love mastodon, but what the hell?
Sounds pretty bad.
The soy has overtaken him.
allgood stuff, but I've seen this shape and overall concept copied way too many times by too many brands within the last couple of years. starting with with feckin dunable instr. etc etc etc not talking shit! all wonderful guitars.....just trends I guess!
Having him read the specs of the guitar is so boring. Everyone can look that up.
Not an ESP
RIP OFF of the signature matt pike bc rich/woodrites "completey new body design" complete lie lmaooo
There’s nothing unique about that guitar shape! Dillusional.