ESP EX-250

2000 Korean Explorer-style with pointy headstock. 22 fret solidbody with 1 master volume and 1 master tone control. Two Duncan-designed, exposed-coil humbuckers, passive electronics with 3-way toggle switch. Lightweight mahogany(?) body with bolt-on neck of undetermined wood, smooth gloss-black finish, and black chrome hardware. Tune-O-matic style hardtail bridge, with non-locking gotoh style tuners. Rosewood neck with pearl dot inlays and a beautiful 12th fret inlay bearing the model number. Nothing else included; needs a specially made case to accomodate the sharkfin-style design, but does not come with the guitar.

Distinct flavors of dark. The bridge pickup is dark and clear. The neck pickup is darker and round. When both pickups are combined, the guitar is beautifully dark. I run this through the COSM effects of a Roland VS-840EX, or play it through a Peavey 250 watt tube head and Marshall cabinet. Noiseless pickups, very suited to heavy metal/hard rock. Clean sound is relatively bland; playing clean yields good balance but not much excitement. When overdriven the guitar is meaty and powerful, like an SG but darker. It has more punch than a Les Paul, but is slightly less sweet. Because this is what the guitar is meant for, I have no qualms about giving it a 9. Just don't expect to sound like Larry Carlton or Barney Kessel. If you like Kirk Hammett though, you will be VERY pleased.

Factory action was on the low side, but easily corrected. A minor adjustment eliminated fret buzz. The intonation was close, but naturally needed to be adjusted since I changed the strings to .010s and tuned the guitar down a whole step to D-G-C-F-A-D tuning. In order to get the intonation right, I had to reverse the orientation of the saddle of one string so that it would extend to its fullest length. This was easily accomplished and the guitar now plays smoothly in tune. Good quality finish, hardware, frets, controls, and tuners make this feel solid to play. Its not a PRS, but it is close enough for a guitar that cost under $500.

Solid enough to withstand live playing. Should last. The strap buttons are huge and easily hold the guitar in place. Contrary to what someone else wrote, this guitar is extremely well-balanced. You can take both hands off it and it will stay perfectly in position. It is more comfortable to play standing up with a strap than it is to perch on your knee while sitting, but it plays comfortably either way. The light weight is a plus, and the access to the upper frets is the best I've ever played.

N/a. Don't know about the warranty, check the ESP web site first.

I've been playing 20+ years. I also own five Strats, one Les Paul, an SG, and an Ovation acoustic/electric. For amps, I have a Peavy MX Flite case 250 watt tube head with Marshall cabinet, a Sunn Alpha 112, and a Peavey Blazer. I record direct to hard drive through a Roland VS840EX into an HP computer. I wish I had asked if the ESP fits a standard guitar case, and if the volume control could be set to 0 for one pickup at a time. If it were stolen I'd buy it again. I love the upper access and the beautiful looks combined with the meaty power. I hate the fact that I need a custom-order case. Compared it to Jackson, BC Rich, Schecter, Gibson, and other humbucker-equipped models. Chose this one for price/quality and the excitement factor of the looks. It draws stares, even when its not plugged in. Its a striking guitar. I wish it had a vibrato arm, but the hardtail is functional and effective. This is a good guitar that gets the job done if you want to rock hard.

itsa a 2000 EXplorer 250...Shit! i didnt buy it yet but i tested this bad ass out and she screamZ!!!!! its got Seymour duncan humbuckers which sound pretty sweet...But uhh.,well ima die hard MetallicA fan and im gona throw in EMG 60 at da neck and 81 at the bridge. Jhetfield style...Also im gona replace the strings wit biger strings, maybe Ernie ball customs are Dean Markley BLue steel...i played it today and the look!!!!! dAMMMMMMM!!!!! if this axe wasa chick shed be Pamela Anderson...It was fukin hot! No tremlo cos it aint no Fender shit where its all soloing n crap

WOW!!!!! even tho the seymours are coming out, this thing is awesome!!!!!! Its gota killa sound for heavy metal....I play bout 40 sumtin songs from MetallicA anda other shit load from offspring creed and godsmack.......u guys gota test this out.....i use a Line6 flex and throw it on Modern High Gain or REctified and dam!!!!! she blasts, im usin an Ibanez GSA with my Lin6 and it sounds pretty cool but nutin compared to this thing....

When i tested it, it was Mint!! Not much to say bout it really, pickups were covered in plastic and the knobs had strophone on it.

If James Hetfield uses it live, why the fuck cant i?? Strap buttons....?? hmm i didnt check tho out......i dont need a backup wit this....Ive played
1) 1965 Ibanez SG *mine, past down*]
2) 2000 Ibanez GSA*also mine =)*
3) 1995 American Showster S/S Metal Load * was mine *
4) 1999 Fernandes Retrorocket ELite *strat*
5) 2000 ibanez RG170
6) 200 Ibanez RG 470
7) 2000 Ibanez GRX20 *was mine, but i sold cos its shit*
8) 1998 Epiphone Les Paul
9) 2000 ESP LTD M250
10)2000 ESP LTD EX-250 * shes mine as of December *

NA

This thing is real awesomE!!!!!! Its $450 from sam ash and iiittt issssssss unfuckinbelivable......I cant wait 2 bring it home and jus plug it into my boss then in my Line6 and crank up the vol...DAm its gona be phat......Im 15 and played for bout 2 years.....Yea i consider myself a very good judge for guitars cos its pretty much all i do....If ura tallica fan and play guitar and ur lookin for a guitar......WELLL....stop lookin and start testin this shit out.....The look man!!!!!! the god dam look!!!!! Its nuttin compared to the old ESP EXP.....ESP did a good ass job re-designing this axe.....Awesome finish too

y2k explorer made in korea. although the body is mahogany, it is surprisingly light. the painted neck is perfect and fast, with amazing sustain. the gunmetal blue was a disapointment to the black before seeing it, but love instantly ensued one viewed. the duncan hums went out the window and emg 81s went in with much improvement. plays like a dream, but is really unbalanced and tends to take a nose dive. can be corrected with a good strap. tuneo matic bridge stays in tune forever. didnt get a case, but will order one.