Anything coming out of World Music in Korea is gold. The ESPs, Schecters and Agile's are all fantastic. Some of the best guitars I've played have been Korean made. The Agile's are the same quality, but for even less money, and made by the same people.
I believe World Music, so as Cort Korea, have different levels of producing and QA depending on the demand and contracts. You can see Schecter for 1.5k so as Chapmans for third of that price and as mentioned, Agile too for even less. One factory does not mean same quality. It varries on how many hours of hands on work these guitars have.
it is amazing how well the folks at ESP/LTD set up their guitars. The only thing that would make the ESP LTD Horizon series better would be either Kahler whammys or an Evertune bridge. The shape is conventional, familiar, but comfortable as fuck. Especially their neck-thru horizons. SUPER slick, super comfortable to play. No drag when you slide or transition. It just feels so different from other guitars. The secret to the comfort in playing is the narrowness of the neck compared to other guitars. You don't have to reach as far with ESPs as you do with other guitars.
Got myself an ESP Ltd EC-1000 with EMG Pickups. This is one of the best guitars i've ever had and played. All the compliments of your video apply to my model as well. 5 Stars. And this is why you have to spend a little more. It's worth every penny
For half that cost you could have gotten an Edwards E-MA which is an ESP E-2 Made in the same Tokyo Factory. With a tad bit better QC and much better pickups. You'd need buy her used or smuggle it out of Japan though. US and EU govs are super protective of their trash brands and letting ESP's Japanese Market guitars in would destroy domestic brands.
I've 3 esp ltd guitars. They are such great guitars. They play like they are made by the gods of thunder. I prefer them over any other guitar brands I tried out. (Ibanez, Jackson etc.) And clean they sound so beautiful. I recommend ESP-ltd to every guitarist. Both beginners and pro's. I am happy you made this video (and other simular videos about cheap but good guitars), Glenn. Showing people there are far better (and cheaper) brands than Gibson is important for the guitar community.
I agree with this statement. As someone who was a strict ESP aficionado/ smob, turned LTD collector, this is so true! I love my LTD guitars (all 600/1000 series) just as much as I love my ESP collection.
Not sure if anyone posted this yet but ESP and Schecter while being separate entities are in fact owned by the same person, Mr Hisatake Shibuya. Great instruments.
You're right that the Korean guitars are amazing. I've had the Japanese and Korean models side by side many times and even though I love both my Japanese and Korean models, there is almost no difference aside from maybe the wood grain looks better on the ESPs. I actually like the tuners on certain year LTD models better than the Japanese ESP guitars. With like 20 years worth of LTD 1000 series guitars on the used market as well, that's probably the way to go for most people.
Both guitars are indeed made in the same factory, World Musical Instruments and also, both ESP/LTD & Schecter are owned by the same guy, Hisatake Shibuya the founder of ESP Guitars.Shibuya-san is a major figure in the Japanese guitar industry, he started with small guitar repair shop in the 70's similar like Wayne Charvel and now runs ESP, a bunch of other brands and founded a luthier academy. He also owns the prestigious Hollywood Musicians Institute, the music school where Paul Gilbert use to teach and many famous musicians like John Frusciante, Ray Luzier or Pete Thorn studied there.
Ohhhhh GLENN!! Someone's been practicing some shreds! Well done dude. Been checking out your videos lately and it's great seeing your progress! Pretty inspiring stuff!
I own four Deluxe LTD's. I play them almost exclusively, and have for many years. Even the lower end LTD'S I've had have never let me down. They are the most solid and reliable guitars on the market.
You’re over 500K subs Glenn! Congrats brother. Love your reviews and absolute honesty. Not a bought and paid for Yes man spokesman. Keep up the fantastic work my friend.
Hell yeah! I love ESP guitars. The 1000 deluxe series are really good and look gorgeous. It's hard to imagine a $5000 ESP could be that much better. I just wish they would've kept the original ESP logo on them. My MH-1000 looks very similar to your schecter. It's see thru cherry burst or something like that and it has the abalone binding. I think ESP has perfected the metal guitar style.
Personally I’m of the mindset that there’s diminishing returns the more expensive guitars get. There’s really only so much you can do to make a guitar better enough to justify the price. I don’t really see how any guitar besides collectibles can be worth $5,000. I’d say the intersection of value vs price crosses at around the $1000 mark. There are many amazing guitars around there (some over, some under) and really anything significantly about $1,000 usually doesn’t have much more than what the $1000 range guitars have.
The E2 guitars are awesome. They are built in the same factory the originals were built in. The LTD 1000 series is quite good, but sometimes look way too flashy with the amount of abalony used. The E2 M1 that is my main guitar is absolutley perfect. The intonation, fretwork, electronics. I would say that it is a higher quality than the 1000 series EC1000 that I had, but the neck is slightly thicker on the M1, and the fingerboard radius is 12". The EC 1000 did every once in a while have the high E string catch on the end of the 5th fret, but may have been a result of a previous owner because I got that one used. (There was a tiny chip in the nut which may have been causing that). I believe the E2 has a titanium truss rod, and some other reinforcement, but I will have to check that. It is a heavy guitar ( Over 21 pounds) but after having it for a year I believe it is worth the extra few hundred bucks to get an E2 over a 1000 series. I started building my own guitars last summer because I didn't want to pay the ESP custom shop for a slightly different version of the M1. I'm shure the custom shop would be worth it, but I figured for that price I could buy all of the tools that I need to build my own.
ESP is only that expensive so all the american and european brands dont collapse under superior Japanese brands. You can get an ESP E-2 for 135k yen in Japan under ESP's Japanese market only brand Edwards. Alexi Scythe? 12k? nope 2k
can vouch for LTD. i bought a Mirage Delux a year ago and it is one of the finest guitars I've ever played. unbelievable fret work and neck from the factory. i liked the neck so much i replaced my Warmoth guitar with a new neck to the ESP specs. its really close, but not quite the ESP shape that i love.
I really enjoy seeing you play and make honest mistakes just like every guitar player ever. Your playing keeps getting better every time I hear you. Thanks for the review.
I've been on an E-II Horizon NT-7B for almost 6 years at this point. The only complaint I had in the beginning was a too tightly cut nut, making tuning it annoying, but otherwise perfectly playing guitar. After fixing the nut everything was awesome up until recently, when fret wear started to become apparent. It still feels special to pick the guitar up, even just looking at it gives me a feeling of: Yes, that is the perfect instrument for me.
I'm not a "metal looking guitar" kind of guy, but once, I tried a LTD TE-1000 (Tele with 2 humbuckers). With no expectations from me, that guitar was AMAZING! Same pickups like this one, locking tuners, roasted maple neck, Hipshot bridge. ESP/LTD makes incredible guitars in all the ranges.
LTD are my number 1 go to guitars the quality in the finishes, playability and vast amount of tonal ranges is second to none and they're cheaper than the main competitors for metal guitars such as ibanez, another wicked awesome video Glenn!
Every LTD I have ever played has been rock solid. The Korean and Indo models are very well made for the money. Their thin U necks are some of my favorites.
Glad to see you playing an LTD Glenn! I have 3 ESPs I’ve acquired over the years. A standard series m2 with an original Floyd Rose I bought over ten years ago from a kid in a local punk band, sold it to me for $400 didn’t know what he had. I picked up an E2 M1 from guitar center for 1K and it’s literally just as good as the M2 just string and neck through. Finally I own a custom shop V from the Takada factory in Japan and that one was expensive but is significantly better than the previous 2.
Esp makes some good stuff! Over the years I've owned 4 of them, started with the F-50, then the F-250, had a Forest GT, and currently playing a Japanese model called Ganesa they've really impressed me
I have a love hate relationship with your guitar reviews. Simply because I love the guitars and the channel, the “hate” is because I have pain within my right hand and wrist. I work in a warehouse and my hands take a beating. I always wanna give it a go again but my hands really don’t feel like allowing that to happen 😢 Also congrats on the 500,000!!!!
@@SpectreSoundStudios yep, buuuut if anything, I do take your opinions out to my buddies anytime they are looking for a new guitar. Much appreciation Glenn! 🤘🏻
Hey Glenn, did the pickup test myself with new strings of the same brand, and just to give you the results, there were differences, not a lot but still noticeable. Nothing I couldn’t fix with the amp or in post. I’m still going to consider pickups because I do love me some cleans. Thanks to you I did this for myself, i was out to get Tosin’s Fishmans for my 8 string. Saved me some bucks! You’re completely out to cure my GAS.
I recently sent back/returned an Indonesia made LTD Deluxe....had flaws and didn't feel/played like my other four made in Korea ...no way I would keep a guitar that I paid more for that feels like less.....and thats disappointing
@@deathnsd6953 The indonesian made guitars, can be a bit hit or miss at times, but good that you sent it back. Don't settle for less than what you want, from a guitar. 🤘
I have the exact same guitar, but 7-string version, so it's ESP/LTD H1007 made in korea. It's sooo good. Before that I was playing mainly indonesian made Ibanez'es and I love all of them, but only ESP feels robust and well finished , and it plays soo well that learning new stuff is just a pleasure. Thank you for great work Glen, keep Rockin'
Good to see Ltd get some love. I've got a couple of the 1000 deluxe series guitars. I've always said my ec1000 destroys a Les Paul in every way, and back when I bought it, it was $899. Everyone should try an Ltd. Nice review man. 🤘
@@davidshafer6388 yeah man. I've always liked Ltd and schecters necks. I've been playing those and deans, since before they were well known for their quality. You could get them dirt cheap from pawn shops, because everyone saw them as "cheap". The fact is, they've always been awesome. Lol
The Pegasus sentient set are my favorite pickups. They have really nice cleans and don’t get muddy under high gain. I know pickups don’t really sound different under super high gain, but I upgraded the pickups in my sub series sterling guitar and it made quite the difference.
I loved anything ESP LTD that I got my hands on so far. They make some of the best Metal stuff you can get for reasonable money. The pickup comment was ridiculous, LOL - of course you're not gonna need to "upgrade" a Pegasus/Sentient set, those are high quality, very good performing pickups!
Glenn! The comment made about the esp/schecter coming from the same factory is indeed true! It is also fact that the two brands are basically parented to one another to this date. Can't recall when the merger happened, but the quality of both brands is incredible. I have commented before, but would LOVE to see you review a Ernie Ball Music Man JP guitar, not the sterling, but the big mack daddy. I love both my Ernie Balls! Cheers!
I remember my first LTD was an H-100 in electric blue. It was an awesome guitar and wish i still had it. Great review makes me want to go and buy another. Keep up the good work.
Esp, Ltd, just nails everything, I've been playing them since I was 13, never fails me, quality, tone, the looks, crushes everything, I've had over 15 of them, 10 Japan esp and 5 usa, never fails. Esp till I die
The ESP LTD Horizon series is my favorite super-strat knockoff. What you say about the Horizon necks are ABSOLUTELY true. I have an Indonesian made ESP LTD H250 and it plays like a DREAM. Maintains tuning very well. Has Seymour Duncan made pickups. Neck-through design. Very good guitars, the ESP LTD Horizons. My headstock looks different than yours. Mine is more like a spearhead. Same logo though. Yours was Korean made, mine was Indonesian made. They make good guitars for a good price. Mine was like 400 bucks when I got mine in 2006. Its been since discontinued. But yeah the thing you said about horizon necks is absolutely correct. They feel so very comfortable compared to other guitars. Its hard to adjust when I play other guitars, lol I get so use to how comfortable the esp neck feels. Its narrow enough to shred but wide enough to not bump my fingers together. It isn't a struggle to reach where i'm trying to fret like it is on a gibson. I don't know why gibson uses such wide necks. But anyway yeah that's the main factors that determines it for me, how comfortable it feels to play and how well it stays in tune.
Gleeeeen!!!! It's a push-pull switch probably wired as a coil tap to toggle one or both of the pickups into single coils, but I've also seen them wired to be a series/parallel phase toggle, sometimes as a dB boost, and even less commonly a kill switch. I love the look of painted necks, but I think the playability depends on the finish: my 20-year-old SG would get uncomfortably sticky after only a few minutes of playing (yes, I wash my hands! Constantly) but it got better after knocking down the lacquer (I hardly knew her!) to a satin finish with some 0000 steel wool. The polyester on my JP Majesty and an acoustic of mine stays slick and comfortable for an hours-long play session. Tung oil is another great finish, but probably something not really available on budget guitars; the Fender satin is nice, too!
Bought the sevenstring version of this guitar in 2020. Thanks for validating my purchase! This guitar makes me tease the backup. I always tune the backup before a show but it never gets its turn.
I always tell people that LTDs and Schecters in the 900-1300 (previously 800-1200) range are the best bang for the buck metal guitars you can get. Both brands are made in the same Korean factory so quality is top tier, the parts are all top tier brand name stuff like the HipShot bridge instead of cheap in-house and licensed designs, whatever specs you want you can probably find like Evertunes, Floyds, active or passive pickups, 24.75 scale or 25.5 scale, 6,7,8,9 string, tons of different colors and finishes and so on. Schecter and LTD set the current standard for a solid metal guitar back in the mid 2000s with LTD's 1000 series and Schecter's Hellraiser and Blackjack Series, and it feels like every other brand is still playing catch-up with them in terms of specs and quality for the price.
I really enjoy your videos, reviews, gigantic recording input and everything you share with us, Glenn! Only one thing: Please don't do random bendings! :D Keep up producing great videos! Greetz from Mount Olympus
They've been crushing it for years. I used to have a ESP LTD Kirk Hammett signature series Guitar and it was off the chain! I'm rocking a $300 Jackson Dinky and couldn't be happier right now. Cheap and disposable, yet durable and awesome sounding... Helpful tip for people looking for their first Metal guitars: Get a guitar with a Floyd Rose tremolo system... You'll thank me later. 🤘
My first guitar was an LTD MH-50. Fantastic build and sound but as a kid I had no patience to properly restring, intonate and balance a Floyd Rose bridge so I bought a fixed bridge Ibanez 6 string a few months after buying the LTD. My most recent guitar is the LTD EC-407 and it's my favorite guitar among the four I currently own. ESP guitars are really the best.
Lol when his messenger went off,that made me mentally say "I love Glenn" that's just good ol' comedy content gold!!!Hope you're having a great time in Europe?I believe.
@@SpectreSoundStudios Very Cool.Ok,I remember you saying that now and talking about hopefully going to the Esp plant!!!Oh man,I hope you do and we get some content.Either way, have a great time.👍
LTD's are FANTASTIC, ESP in general is top tier! I have an Edwards (domestic Japanese brand under ESP that essentially does Gibson copies)... a 900 dollar Japanese built Gibson LP Custom, that plays better than the two actual Gibson Les Pauls I own!
They're stuck in this weird realm where they aren't a legacy/classic line from our grandparents days, and also aren't a young/sexy brand that popped up out of influencer love in the last 8 years
I think the LTD branding is killing them. Everyone sees just cheap when they don’t know anything about the brand, because all other brand have a “cheap brand”.
@@chrispodesta8105 No, I think the influencers are paid off and they talk about other brands. lets face it ESP has Metallica, doesn't get more legacy and sexiness than that
@@Juventinos oh yeah, I'm sure you're right about that. I dunno about Metallica as a sexy seeking point for a brand anymore though. Legacy, sure - but even with them ESP isn't perceived as on the level with fender/Gibson/ibanez because they weren't around for the 60s/70s era of rock. (Among other reasons I'm sure) Which is dumb, to be sure.
I have an ESP LTD M-300FM with EMGs and an ESP LTD M-1007QM with Fishman Fluence pickups. I do love both, although, I do prefer my 7 string more. Both guitars were very well made. I found no issues with quality or playability. The 7 string has a higher price point but it's well worth the money. I was worried buying a 7 string because I have very small hands, but after a few hours playing and adjusting I had no problems at all. Awesome guitars.
I’ve owned guitars from every major brand that has offerings under $500. LTD, Schecter, Gretsch, Squier, Epiphone, countless Chinese guitars…. A LTD EC400 (single cut) was by far the best guitar I’ve ever had in my hands.
I like my $499 LTD Eclipse more than my $899 Epiphone Les Paul lol. They are excellent guitars. The difference between the two isn't that noticeable but I like how the LTD plays a fair amount more.
@@Yeti_Boop yeah same for me. It wasn’t that anything blew me away or was SOOO much better than Epiphone or Schecter it was just so solid and felt great every where.
I keep hearing that the ESP LTD-1000 whether they are Eclipses, Arrows, M's, Horizons and all beat out guitars costing several times more. They truly punch beyond their weight given that they are durable instruments and they rock like no other not to mention they look so vibrant. As I write this, I await the delivery of my new LTD EC-1000 Eclipse through the mail.
Spot on Glenn. I've never played an LTD I didn't like (got a Viper baritone) and the build quality is rock solid. Not too shabby for a 20 year old guitar. That said, HOLY SHIT! Your right hand technique is becoming frighteningly tight, efficient and controlled. Good work dude. Check out Bernth. Imho his picking is top tier and not too dissimilar to where you're headed. Great video and a warm, friendly "fuck you Glenn" all the way from Scotland.
Esp Ltd is all I will purchase folks … I got new made in Korea super perfect ec - 1000fr violet shadow w/emg 60/81 from sweetwater and straight out of the box it had perfect set up I got a made in China 2009 mh - 327 ( 27 fret ) trans black w/ Floyd Rose with Duncan hot rails at the neck and Duncan custom 5 at the bridge that NEVER goes out of tune after months of not being played ( wow ) … thanks … GOD BLESS !!!
I bought a Floyd loaded MH-50 Ltd as my second guitar almost a decade ago. It still plays great, stays in tune, and the original hardware held up good. I needed to replace one tuner, and I put Emgs in it.
I have a Korean made Schecter and Epiphone from the early/mid 2000’s and specifications the C1+ model still holds tune and plays with low action. And I have abused the living-snot out of it-bumps, drops and crazy tunings. Still has the original pickup in the neck. I imagine at some point someone we will start letting loose stories of South Korea and guitar building from this era, simply because there will still be a LOT of those guitars still changing hands two decades later-some pretty incredible people made these very good guitars possible at a scale never seen before.
I bought an H-1001FM (new) about 10-12 years ago. It’s been a rock solid guitar the entire time. Still own it today. I believe it was $799 back then. It has the 81/85 so no push/pull split.
I've known for years that the MIK W-serial LTD 1000 series, as well as the W-serial artist signature 600 series, hit way above their price point. When comparing to Gibsons / Fenders you have to get up into the $3000 range to find guitars that are equal. Now if you step up to the SS serial MIJ ESPs (production line) you'd have to go to Gibson or Fender custom shop guitars to find the same build quality. Then, if you step up to the K, S or T serial MIJ ESPs (top of the line handmade) you'll be playing the finest crafted guitars there are. There are boutique guitars that are their equal but the list is short.
The push pull thingy is usually a coil split, it changes a humbucker to a single coil, however some pickups have a coil tap, its much less common but its where you can change to a lower output setting
Nice review. As a guy who grew up on the 80's Charvel/Jackson USA stuff, I gotta say for the money LTD's by ESP are great. Also, Schecter & ESP are owned by the same parent company (though they are separate and independent somewhat) so that accounts for the similarities probably. Cheers!
I own a 2001 korean LTD ex100. It sat for 10 years in its case at my dad's home. When i opened it it was still in tune, the strings and frets were like new (elixir strings) and the active pickups were still powered.
Love your videos! I have a love/hate for Gibson's stuff also! I've owned both ESP and Ltd guitars and although the Ltd have definItaly gone up in price since the early days, they hold their own in terms of reliability and functionality. Ltd's definitely stay in tune better than any Gibson I've ever owned.
I recently picked up an LTD EC1000 ETQM in Dark Brown Sunburst. It's a beautiful axe. It's made in Korea at the Cort factory that also makes Schecter, and the other Korean imports. I've been to the factory twice. Their QC is fantastic. The guitar feels, looks, and plays great. It's worth the price tag for the specs, and looks. The only things I've done is put Gotoh locking tuners on for faster string changes, thicker strings, and a Graphtec Tusq nut. I can't be happier with it. I prefer LTD's over the EII's because they come with stainless steel frets, and more incredible finishes for over $1000 US less.
I have this guitar. I also have the h200 which is half the price. The h200 is absolutely my favorite guitar ever as far as what you get without doing a single thing to it. It is just a gorgeous, perfect sounding effing shred master. Esp ltd has quality down to an art form
Wow!!! Glenn plays lead guitar now?? Man, you are sounding better every time I hear you. Awesome man!! If you would allow me to give you a little tip that will absolutely take your lead playing to the next level: Learn a Gilmour solo or two…like Time and Money for example…and a couple slower neck pickup leads from someone with great tone like John Petrucci. Try an easy one like Repentance from him…it’s absolutely massive sounding and will really get your vibrats and bends to the NEXT level and get that make every note count thing happen. Just a suggestion from a three decade dummy…lol. Either way, you’ve come a long way in the last couple years!! Speaking of Gilmour, I just bought my very first Stratocaster a few hours ago!! It’s black…with a black pickguard and a faded maple board with vintage creamy pickups and knobs. Lol. I had to, everybody needs a Strat in the collection. I can’t freaking wait!!! I got a great deal too, and its from California. Ohh boy!!
GLEEEEEEEEENNNNNNN! Thanks for the amazing content as always! Would it be possible to leave your amp settings/speakers used in the description the videos? I really like the tone you dialed in for this video and can’t quite dial it in.
I only played probably 2 or 3 LTDs in my near-20 years of playing, but when I was looking for a 7-string, I found an LTD MH-417, and I have to say it blew me away! The fretwork was that good in every aspect that I bought it there and then. No rough ends on them, and the only guitar I've managed to get the action any where nearly as low on is my old '89 Ibanez S540ltd(pre S series). for paying just under £300 for it was an absolute steal too, considering it had EMG's aswell. Buying that guitar made me not even want to go near an actual ESP.
Picked up an LTD MH400 with active EMGs and a Floyd about 2005. Korean made. Inspection sticker actually says ESP. it was just under a grand at the time. It is sweet!
Anything coming out of World Music in Korea is gold. The ESPs, Schecters and Agile's are all fantastic. Some of the best guitars I've played have been Korean made. The Agile's are the same quality, but for even less money, and made by the same people.
I just realized my Agile was made in Korea the other day. Only payed 300$ for it, slapped a new dimarzio titan and it rips.
I believe World Music, so as Cort Korea, have different levels of producing and QA depending on the demand and contracts. You can see Schecter for 1.5k so as Chapmans for third of that price and as mentioned, Agile too for even less. One factory does not mean same quality. It varries on how many hours of hands on work these guitars have.
Are they the ones making Wylde Audio?
I've been wondering about that. Haven't played in years and didn't even know Zakk had his own brand now.
@@8KilgoreTrout4 I think Wylde is affiliated with Schecter so how. I bet they're made in Korea too
it is amazing how well the folks at ESP/LTD set up their guitars.
The only thing that would make the ESP LTD Horizon series better would be either Kahler whammys or an Evertune bridge.
The shape is conventional, familiar, but comfortable as fuck. Especially their neck-thru horizons. SUPER slick, super comfortable to play. No drag when you slide or transition. It just feels so different from other guitars. The secret to the comfort in playing is the narrowness of the neck compared to other guitars. You don't have to reach as far with ESPs as you do with other guitars.
ESP and Ltd are amazing instruments
Everyone seems to be noting not the quality of the LTD, but the improvement in Glenn’s guitar chops. He got good!
Dudes been at practice
Practice is a hell of a thing.
*got gud, in proper gamerspeak ;)
Got myself an ESP Ltd EC-1000 with EMG Pickups. This is one of the best guitars i've ever had and played. All the compliments of your video apply to my model as well. 5 Stars. And this is why you have to spend a little more. It's worth every penny
For half that cost you could have gotten an Edwards E-MA which is an ESP E-2 Made in the same Tokyo Factory. With a tad bit better QC and much better pickups. You'd need buy her used or smuggle it out of Japan though. US and EU govs are super protective of their trash brands and letting ESP's Japanese Market guitars in would destroy domestic brands.
I've 3 esp ltd guitars. They are such great guitars. They play like they are made by the gods of thunder.
I prefer them over any other guitar brands I tried out. (Ibanez, Jackson etc.)
And clean they sound so beautiful.
I recommend ESP-ltd to every guitarist. Both beginners and pro's.
I am happy you made this video (and other simular videos about cheap but good guitars), Glenn.
Showing people there are far better (and cheaper) brands than Gibson is important for the guitar community.
I agree with this statement. As someone who was a strict ESP aficionado/ smob, turned LTD collector, this is so true! I love my LTD guitars (all 600/1000 series) just as much as I love my ESP collection.
Not sure if anyone posted this yet but ESP and Schecter while being separate entities are in fact owned by the same person, Mr Hisatake Shibuya. Great instruments.
You're right that the Korean guitars are amazing. I've had the Japanese and Korean models side by side many times and even though I love both my Japanese and Korean models, there is almost no difference aside from maybe the wood grain looks better on the ESPs. I actually like the tuners on certain year LTD models better than the Japanese ESP guitars. With like 20 years worth of LTD 1000 series guitars on the used market as well, that's probably the way to go for most people.
Damn Glenn. You are introducing me to so many cool bands. Thanks man.
I loved him playing the "Warriors Of Genges Khan" riff.
Both guitars are indeed made in the same factory, World Musical Instruments and also, both ESP/LTD & Schecter are owned by the same guy, Hisatake Shibuya the founder of ESP Guitars.Shibuya-san is a major figure in the Japanese guitar industry, he started with small guitar repair shop in the 70's similar like Wayne Charvel and now runs ESP, a bunch of other brands and founded a luthier academy.
He also owns the prestigious Hollywood Musicians Institute, the music school where Paul Gilbert use to teach and many famous musicians like John Frusciante, Ray Luzier or Pete Thorn studied there.
Ohhhhh GLENN!! Someone's been practicing some shreds! Well done dude. Been checking out your videos lately and it's great seeing your progress! Pretty inspiring stuff!
I own four Deluxe LTD's. I play them almost exclusively, and have for many years. Even the lower end LTD'S I've had have never let me down. They are the most solid and reliable guitars on the market.
Thanks for the review! Picking up my first LTD today and I’m very excited about it
You’re over 500K subs Glenn! Congrats brother. Love your reviews and absolute honesty. Not a bought and paid for Yes man spokesman. Keep up the fantastic work my friend.
GLENN!!! Keep up the playing, man. Love the time I take out of my day to listen, watch, laugh & ponder, as I watch your great show. Righteous.
Hell yeah! I love ESP guitars. The 1000 deluxe series are really good and look gorgeous. It's hard to imagine a $5000 ESP could be that much better. I just wish they would've kept the original ESP logo on them. My MH-1000 looks very similar to your schecter. It's see thru cherry burst or something like that and it has the abalone binding. I think ESP has perfected the metal guitar style.
Personally I’m of the mindset that there’s diminishing returns the more expensive guitars get. There’s really only so much you can do to make a guitar better enough to justify the price. I don’t really see how any guitar besides collectibles can be worth $5,000. I’d say the intersection of value vs price crosses at around the $1000 mark. There are many amazing guitars around there (some over, some under) and really anything significantly about $1,000 usually doesn’t have much more than what the $1000 range guitars have.
The E2 guitars are awesome. They are built in the same factory the originals were built in. The LTD 1000 series is quite good, but sometimes look way too flashy with the amount of abalony used. The E2 M1 that is my main guitar is absolutley perfect. The intonation, fretwork, electronics. I would say that it is a higher quality than the 1000 series EC1000 that I had, but the neck is slightly thicker on the M1, and the fingerboard radius is 12". The EC 1000 did every once in a while have the high E string catch on the end of the 5th fret, but may have been a result of a previous owner because I got that one used. (There was a tiny chip in the nut which may have been causing that). I believe the E2 has a titanium truss rod, and some other reinforcement, but I will have to check that. It is a heavy guitar ( Over 21 pounds) but after having it for a year I believe it is worth the extra few hundred bucks to get an E2 over a 1000 series. I started building my own guitars last summer because I didn't want to pay the ESP custom shop for a slightly different version of the M1. I'm shure the custom shop would be worth it, but I figured for that price I could buy all of the tools that I need to build my own.
@@rmatt498 totally agree! I have a ltd jm-2 and it cost me about $1500 new. Absolutely plays and sounds just as good as my buddies esp USA M series
ESP is only that expensive so all the american and european brands dont collapse under superior Japanese brands. You can get an ESP E-2 for 135k yen in Japan under ESP's Japanese market only brand Edwards. Alexi Scythe? 12k? nope 2k
You're at 500k subs! Congratulations, Glenn!!!!!
Serious respect for bringing up the ESP LTD MH guitars. I’ve never played anything like them.
can vouch for LTD. i bought a Mirage Delux a year ago and it is one of the finest guitars I've ever played. unbelievable fret work and neck from the factory. i liked the neck so much i replaced my Warmoth guitar with a new neck to the ESP specs. its really close, but not quite the ESP shape that i love.
I really enjoy seeing you play and make honest mistakes just like every guitar player ever. Your playing keeps getting better every time I hear you.
Thanks for the review.
That is a mighty tone from the LTD!!!
Dude I totally agree. I just dropped a video on the rare Slayer LTD. It’s insane! Even their EC 256 is great. Awesome video as always, Glen🤘🏻
Sweet video man. I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t even know that guitar existed 😳
I've been on an E-II Horizon NT-7B for almost 6 years at this point. The only complaint I had in the beginning was a too tightly cut nut, making tuning it annoying, but otherwise perfectly playing guitar. After fixing the nut everything was awesome up until recently, when fret wear started to become apparent. It still feels special to pick the guitar up, even just looking at it gives me a feeling of: Yes, that is the perfect instrument for me.
I'm not a "metal looking guitar" kind of guy, but once, I tried a LTD TE-1000 (Tele with 2 humbuckers). With no expectations from me, that guitar was AMAZING! Same pickups like this one, locking tuners, roasted maple neck, Hipshot bridge. ESP/LTD makes incredible guitars in all the ranges.
you hit 502k subscribers within the last 11 hours, congratulations! glad to be part of the family =)
keep up the awesome reviews and f**k G**son!
Thank you so much!
LTD are my number 1 go to guitars the quality in the finishes, playability and vast amount of tonal ranges is second to none and they're cheaper than the main competitors for metal guitars such as ibanez, another wicked awesome video Glenn!
Every LTD I have ever played has been rock solid. The Korean and Indo models are very well made for the money. Their thin U necks are some of my favorites.
Are they well made for the money? Or are they just well made?
@@soundman1402 Yes and yes.
@@soundman1402both.
Bout spit my my coffee out when the Anakin Skywalker pic came up. That was a good one Glenn!
you’re the best guitar youtuber ❤❤❤❤
I loved the "Warriors Of Genges Khan" riff Glenn mate.
Glad to see you playing an LTD Glenn! I have 3 ESPs I’ve acquired over the years. A standard series m2 with an original Floyd Rose I bought over ten years ago from a kid in a local punk band, sold it to me for $400 didn’t know what he had. I picked up an E2 M1 from guitar center for 1K and it’s literally just as good as the M2 just string and neck through. Finally I own a custom shop V from the Takada factory in Japan and that one was expensive but is significantly better than the previous 2.
ESP, and LTD have been my favorite guitars since I started playing them.
Esp makes some good stuff! Over the years I've owned 4 of them, started with the F-50, then the F-250, had a Forest GT, and currently playing a Japanese model called Ganesa they've really impressed me
Ah yes, the old Kaoru signature from Dir En Grey.
@vladv5126 grew up watching Dir en Grey always wanted one finally got one and I'm impressed
@@masked_ultra8859 they're awesome
I have a love hate relationship with your guitar reviews. Simply because I love the guitars and the channel, the “hate” is because I have pain within my right hand and wrist. I work in a warehouse and my hands take a beating. I always wanna give it a go again but my hands really don’t feel like allowing that to happen 😢
Also congrats on the 500,000!!!!
Dude, I completely understand. Nothing is worse for guitar players hands than manual labor!
@@SpectreSoundStudios yep, buuuut if anything, I do take your opinions out to my buddies anytime they are looking for a new guitar. Much appreciation Glenn! 🤘🏻
Huge fan of ESP! Just picked up mh-1007 evertune 🤘🤘
DAMN that playing was super clean glenn
Hey Glenn, did the pickup test myself with new strings of the same brand, and just to give you the results, there were differences, not a lot but still noticeable. Nothing I couldn’t fix with the amp or in post. I’m still going to consider pickups because I do love me some cleans. Thanks to you I did this for myself, i was out to get Tosin’s Fishmans for my 8 string. Saved me some bucks! You’re completely out to cure my GAS.
Absolutely beautiful guitar. I have an ESP E-II Horizon-III that I love to bits. ESP / LTD never disappoint. 🤘
I recently sent back/returned an Indonesia made LTD Deluxe....had flaws and didn't feel/played like my other four made in Korea ...no way I would keep a guitar that I paid more for that feels like less.....and thats disappointing
@@deathnsd6953 The indonesian made guitars, can be a bit hit or miss at times, but good that you sent it back. Don't settle for less than what you want, from a guitar. 🤘
I love E-IIs. I've got 5 of them! Lol
GLENN! congrats on the 500 000 followers!
I have the exact same guitar, but 7-string version, so it's ESP/LTD H1007 made in korea. It's sooo good. Before that I was playing mainly indonesian made Ibanez'es and I love all of them, but only ESP feels robust and well finished , and it plays soo well that learning new stuff is just a pleasure. Thank you for great work Glen, keep Rockin'
Good to see Ltd get some love. I've got a couple of the 1000 deluxe series guitars. I've always said my ec1000 destroys a Les Paul in every way, and back when I bought it, it was $899. Everyone should try an Ltd. Nice review man. 🤘
I used to have an EC1000 deluxe. It had the best feeling neck that I have played on.
@@davidshafer6388 yeah man. I've always liked Ltd and schecters necks. I've been playing those and deans, since before they were well known for their quality. You could get them dirt cheap from pawn shops, because everyone saw them as "cheap". The fact is, they've always been awesome. Lol
That was some seriously cool riffage! Well done, sir!
Badass LTD V, badass LTD double cut, Glenn, now I wanna see you review a badass LTD single cut (Eclipse)
The Pegasus sentient set are my favorite pickups. They have really nice cleans and don’t get muddy under high gain. I know pickups don’t really sound different under super high gain, but I upgraded the pickups in my sub series sterling guitar and it made quite the difference.
Hard to believe I bought an ESP E-II Arrow brand new on sale for about $1500 3 years ago.
Glenn, ESP and Schechter are part of the same group, that'd explain the similarities mate! Keep up the excellent work and information! Cheers
I loved anything ESP LTD that I got my hands on so far. They make some of the best Metal stuff you can get for reasonable money. The pickup comment was ridiculous, LOL - of course you're not gonna need to "upgrade" a Pegasus/Sentient set, those are high quality, very good performing pickups!
Those or Nazgul, just whatever flavor. 🤘
@@dbombaable The Nazgul kills!
Glenn! The comment made about the esp/schecter coming from the same factory is indeed true! It is also fact that the two brands are basically parented to one another to this date. Can't recall when the merger happened, but the quality of both brands is incredible. I have commented before, but would LOVE to see you review a Ernie Ball Music Man JP guitar, not the sterling, but the big mack daddy. I love both my Ernie Balls! Cheers!
Fantastic video. Sounded fantastic as well. Gonna have to check one of these out.
I remember my first LTD was an H-100 in electric blue. It was an awesome guitar and wish i still had it.
Great review makes me want to go and buy another.
Keep up the good work.
Esp, Ltd, just nails everything, I've been playing them since I was 13, never fails me, quality, tone, the looks, crushes everything, I've had over 15 of them, 10 Japan esp and 5 usa, never fails. Esp till I die
The ESP LTD Horizon series is my favorite super-strat knockoff. What you say about the Horizon necks are ABSOLUTELY true. I have an Indonesian made ESP LTD H250 and it plays like a DREAM. Maintains tuning very well. Has Seymour Duncan made pickups. Neck-through design. Very good guitars, the ESP LTD Horizons. My headstock looks different than yours. Mine is more like a spearhead. Same logo though. Yours was Korean made, mine was Indonesian made.
They make good guitars for a good price. Mine was like 400 bucks when I got mine in 2006. Its been since discontinued. But yeah the thing you said about horizon necks is absolutely correct. They feel so very comfortable compared to other guitars. Its hard to adjust when I play other guitars, lol I get so use to how comfortable the esp neck feels. Its narrow enough to shred but wide enough to not bump my fingers together. It isn't a struggle to reach where i'm trying to fret like it is on a gibson. I don't know why gibson uses such wide necks. But anyway yeah that's the main factors that determines it for me, how comfortable it feels to play and how well it stays in tune.
Gleeeeen!!!! It's a push-pull switch probably wired as a coil tap to toggle one or both of the pickups into single coils, but I've also seen them wired to be a series/parallel phase toggle, sometimes as a dB boost, and even less commonly a kill switch.
I love the look of painted necks, but I think the playability depends on the finish: my 20-year-old SG would get uncomfortably sticky after only a few minutes of playing (yes, I wash my hands! Constantly) but it got better after knocking down the lacquer (I hardly knew her!) to a satin finish with some 0000 steel wool. The polyester on my JP Majesty and an acoustic of mine stays slick and comfortable for an hours-long play session. Tung oil is another great finish, but probably something not really available on budget guitars; the Fender satin is nice, too!
Glenn!! You're phone is riiinnngiiinngg. No shit thats relatable bud.. nice work keeping up also good man Glenn
You're so evidently getting better. Those Cowboy's and Lucretia riffs are night and day in the areas you've improved technically
A stunning variety of tones.
Somehow that sounds like a euphemism for "horribly out of tune" …
@@Anvilshock hahaha !! :P :P
@@Anvilshock More like sarcasm for "that much gain gives you one sound".
Bought the sevenstring version of this guitar in 2020. Thanks for validating my purchase!
This guitar makes me tease the backup. I always tune the backup before a show but it never gets its turn.
I always tell people that LTDs and Schecters in the 900-1300 (previously 800-1200) range are the best bang for the buck metal guitars you can get. Both brands are made in the same Korean factory so quality is top tier, the parts are all top tier brand name stuff like the HipShot bridge instead of cheap in-house and licensed designs, whatever specs you want you can probably find like Evertunes, Floyds, active or passive pickups, 24.75 scale or 25.5 scale, 6,7,8,9 string, tons of different colors and finishes and so on.
Schecter and LTD set the current standard for a solid metal guitar back in the mid 2000s with LTD's 1000 series and Schecter's Hellraiser and Blackjack Series, and it feels like every other brand is still playing catch-up with them in terms of specs and quality for the price.
Ltd H-1001FR and Ltd SH-7ET are by far my two favorite guitars that I own.
i play esp eclipse for more than 10 years. i played various things in last 30 years. esp - absolutely the best.
I really enjoy your videos, reviews, gigantic recording input and everything you share with us, Glenn! Only one thing: Please don't do random bendings! :D Keep up producing great videos! Greetz from Mount Olympus
Hey ! Congrats on the 500k subs !!!
love your stuff Glen i bought the ESP_LTD ec1000 Deluxe with floyd rose satin black. I love it
DUDE! 500K SUBS (502K ATM)!!!! Congrats!
They've been crushing it for years. I used to have a ESP LTD Kirk Hammett signature series Guitar and it was off the chain! I'm rocking a $300 Jackson Dinky and couldn't be happier right now. Cheap and disposable, yet durable and awesome sounding...
Helpful tip for people looking for their first Metal guitars:
Get a guitar with a Floyd Rose tremolo system... You'll thank me later. 🤘
My first guitar was an LTD MH-50. Fantastic build and sound but as a kid I had no patience to properly restring, intonate and balance a Floyd Rose bridge so I bought a fixed bridge Ibanez 6 string a few months after buying the LTD. My most recent guitar is the LTD EC-407 and it's my favorite guitar among the four I currently own. ESP guitars are really the best.
Lol when his messenger went off,that made me mentally say "I love Glenn" that's just good ol' comedy content gold!!!Hope you're having a great time in Europe?I believe.
Philippines & Japan
@@SpectreSoundStudios Very Cool.Ok,I remember you saying that now and talking about hopefully going to the Esp plant!!!Oh man,I hope you do and we get some content.Either way, have a great time.👍
LTD's are FANTASTIC, ESP in general is top tier! I have an Edwards (domestic Japanese brand under ESP that essentially does Gibson copies)... a 900 dollar Japanese built Gibson LP Custom, that plays better than the two actual Gibson Les Pauls I own!
I hate it that ESP doesn't get more love, they've been doing things right for a very long time. but the influencers never mention them
They're stuck in this weird realm where they aren't a legacy/classic line from our grandparents days, and also aren't a young/sexy brand that popped up out of influencer love in the last 8 years
I think the LTD branding is killing them. Everyone sees just cheap when they don’t know anything about the brand, because all other brand have a “cheap brand”.
@@chrispodesta8105 No, I think the influencers are paid off and they talk about other brands. lets face it ESP has Metallica, doesn't get more legacy and sexiness than that
@@Juventinos Metallica are the very reason I ever looked into ESP/LTD guitars and they've been my go-to for rockin' the bedroom for 20 years. 😂👍
@@Juventinos oh yeah, I'm sure you're right about that.
I dunno about Metallica as a sexy seeking point for a brand anymore though. Legacy, sure - but even with them ESP isn't perceived as on the level with fender/Gibson/ibanez because they weren't around for the 60s/70s era of rock. (Among other reasons I'm sure)
Which is dumb, to be sure.
I have an ESP LTD M-300FM with EMGs and an ESP LTD M-1007QM with Fishman Fluence pickups. I do love both, although, I do prefer my 7 string more. Both guitars were very well made. I found no issues with quality or playability. The 7 string has a higher price point but it's well worth the money. I was worried buying a 7 string because I have very small hands, but after a few hours playing and adjusting I had no problems at all. Awesome guitars.
I've got an LTD EC-1000 and an LTD MH-1000HS and love both the guitars, got them used at $400 and $430 each!
🎶"Headed out out on the highway" 🎶 Hell ya, Glenn. Then Electric Eye..... 🤘
I’ve owned guitars from every major brand that has offerings under $500. LTD, Schecter, Gretsch, Squier, Epiphone, countless Chinese guitars…. A LTD EC400 (single cut) was by far the best guitar I’ve ever had in my hands.
I like my $499 LTD Eclipse more than my $899 Epiphone Les Paul lol. They are excellent guitars. The difference between the two isn't that noticeable but I like how the LTD plays a fair amount more.
@@Yeti_Boop yeah same for me. It wasn’t that anything blew me away or was SOOO much better than Epiphone or Schecter it was just so solid and felt great every where.
Best time saver for tuning. Evertune
I keep hearing that the ESP LTD-1000 whether they are Eclipses, Arrows, M's, Horizons and all beat out guitars costing several times more. They truly punch beyond their weight given that they are durable instruments and they rock like no other not to mention they look so vibrant.
As I write this, I await the delivery of my new LTD EC-1000 Eclipse through the mail.
You are watching the "Flawless Finish Guitar Show". And we should mention the rating for packiging as well. Well done Sir! 👏👏👏
Spot on Glenn. I've never played an LTD I didn't like (got a Viper baritone) and the build quality is rock solid. Not too shabby for a 20 year old guitar.
That said, HOLY SHIT!
Your right hand technique is becoming frighteningly tight, efficient and controlled. Good work dude. Check out Bernth. Imho his picking is top tier and not too dissimilar to where you're headed.
Great video and a warm, friendly "fuck you Glenn" all the way from Scotland.
Esp Ltd is all I will purchase folks … I got new made in Korea super perfect ec - 1000fr violet shadow w/emg 60/81 from sweetwater and straight out of the box it had perfect set up
I got a made in China 2009 mh - 327 ( 27 fret ) trans black w/ Floyd Rose with Duncan hot rails at the neck and Duncan custom 5 at the bridge that NEVER goes out of tune after months of not being played ( wow ) … thanks … GOD BLESS !!!
I bought a Floyd loaded MH-50 Ltd as my second guitar almost a decade ago. It still plays great, stays in tune, and the original hardware held up good. I needed to replace one tuner, and I put Emgs in it.
I have a Korean made Schecter and Epiphone from the early/mid 2000’s and specifications the C1+ model still holds tune and plays with low action. And I have abused the living-snot out of it-bumps, drops and crazy tunings. Still has the original pickup in the neck.
I imagine at some point someone we will start letting loose stories of South Korea and guitar building from this era, simply because there will still be a LOT of those guitars still changing hands two decades later-some pretty incredible people made these very good guitars possible at a scale never seen before.
Cool rendition of Deceiver.. "We! Shall! Stay! FOREVAAAAAAAHR
I bought an H-1001FM (new) about 10-12 years ago. It’s been a rock solid guitar the entire time. Still own it today. I believe it was $799 back then. It has the 81/85 so no push/pull split.
I've known for years that the MIK W-serial LTD 1000 series, as well as the W-serial artist signature 600 series, hit way above their price point. When comparing to Gibsons / Fenders you have to get up into the $3000 range to find guitars that are equal.
Now if you step up to the SS serial MIJ ESPs (production line) you'd have to go to Gibson or Fender custom shop guitars to find the same build quality.
Then, if you step up to the K, S or T serial MIJ ESPs (top of the line handmade) you'll be playing the finest crafted guitars there are. There are boutique guitars that are their equal but the list is short.
Very nice honest review!!
The push pull thingy is usually a coil split, it changes a humbucker to a single coil, however some pickups have a coil tap, its much less common but its where you can change to a lower output setting
This is correct!
Also wanted to mention, coil tapping is much more common in a heavily wound single coil such as a P90 rather than on a humbucker.
Nice review. As a guy who grew up on the 80's Charvel/Jackson USA stuff, I gotta say for the money LTD's by ESP are great. Also, Schecter & ESP are owned by the same parent company (though they are separate and independent somewhat) so that accounts for the similarities probably. Cheers!
I own a 2001 korean LTD ex100.
It sat for 10 years in its case at my dad's home.
When i opened it it was still in tune, the strings and frets were like new (elixir strings) and the active pickups were still powered.
I just got my LTD SN 1000 HT in the purple blast a couple months back and it SMOKES every new Gibson I've owned in terms of build quality.
Love your videos! I have a love/hate for Gibson's stuff also! I've owned both ESP and Ltd guitars and although the Ltd have definItaly gone up in price since the early days, they hold their own in terms of reliability and functionality.
Ltd's definitely stay in tune better than any Gibson I've ever owned.
I recently picked up an LTD EC1000 ETQM in Dark Brown Sunburst. It's a beautiful axe. It's made in Korea at the Cort factory that also makes Schecter, and the other Korean imports. I've been to the factory twice. Their QC is fantastic. The guitar feels, looks, and plays great. It's worth the price tag for the specs, and looks. The only things I've done is put Gotoh locking tuners on for faster string changes, thicker strings, and a Graphtec Tusq nut. I can't be happier with it. I prefer LTD's over the EII's because they come with stainless steel frets, and more incredible finishes for over $1000 US less.
congrats on 500K subs!
I have this guitar. I also have the h200 which is half the price. The h200 is absolutely my favorite guitar ever as far as what you get without doing a single thing to it. It is just a gorgeous, perfect sounding effing shred master. Esp ltd has quality down to an art form
I love the Star Wars metaphors!
Wow!!! Glenn plays lead guitar now?? Man, you are sounding better every time I hear you. Awesome man!!
If you would allow me to give you a little tip that will absolutely take your lead playing to the next level: Learn a Gilmour solo or two…like Time and Money for example…and a couple slower neck pickup leads from someone with great tone like John Petrucci. Try an easy one like Repentance from him…it’s absolutely massive sounding and will really get your vibrats and bends to the NEXT level and get that make every note count thing happen. Just a suggestion from a three decade dummy…lol. Either way, you’ve come a long way in the last couple years!!
Speaking of Gilmour, I just bought my very first Stratocaster a few hours ago!! It’s black…with a black pickguard and a faded maple board with vintage creamy pickups and knobs. Lol. I had to, everybody needs a Strat in the collection. I can’t freaking wait!!! I got a great deal too, and its from California. Ohh boy!!
LTD and Yamaha are the lords of reliability, playability, and affordability.
GLEEEEEEEEENNNNNNN! Thanks for the amazing content as always! Would it be possible to leave your amp settings/speakers used in the description the videos? I really like the tone you dialed in for this video and can’t quite dial it in.
CFH is gettin' there man, keep at it! A black tooth out to ya!!! haha...\m/
I only played probably 2 or 3 LTDs in my near-20 years of playing, but when I was looking for a 7-string, I found an LTD MH-417, and I have to say it blew me away! The fretwork was that good in every aspect that I bought it there and then. No rough ends on them, and the only guitar I've managed to get the action any where nearly as low on is my old '89 Ibanez S540ltd(pre S series). for paying just under £300 for it was an absolute steal too, considering it had EMG's aswell. Buying that guitar made me not even want to go near an actual ESP.
Picked up an LTD MH400 with active EMGs and a Floyd about 2005. Korean made. Inspection sticker actually says ESP. it was just under a grand at the time. It is sweet!