ESP LTD MH-1000 Deluxe

Made in 2004 in South Korea, 24 frets, figured Maple top, master volume, master tone, 3 way switch, H/H, Duncan JB/59, passive electronics, Mahogany body, Maple neck, See-Through Black Cherry finish, ESP MH body (similar to a Jackson Soloist), fixed bridge, string-through body, Sperzel locking tuners, 25.5 inch scale, 16 inch radius, 1.63 inch nut, Rosewood fretboard, XJ frets, Abalone inlays/binding.

I purchased this guitar intending for it to be very versatile, but a little more towards the rock/metal side of versatility. This is my first guitar with Duncans in it, and based on what I read about the JB/59 combo it sounded like what I was looking for. The pickups are very well matched as far as output and the guitar has a very expressive sound. Something I don't feel like I get through my straight up metal guitars that have EMG's and Dimarzios in them. They pound the bottom end a little harder, but with less definition. The nuances of your pick attack really come through with both p/u's. The JB has exactly the tone I was hoping for. It can do just about any sound, and it doesn't sound anything like an EMG-81 (don't get me wrong I love my EMG but there's stuff it just doesn't do well). The 59 really shines as a clean pickup. Gorgeous. I haven't made up my mind on the middle position yet. I run through a couple of different amps and the guitar is pretty much silent. I can hardly bear to stop playing this guitar.

The guitar arrived from Drum City Guitar Land set up nearly perfect. It was still extremely close to even being in tune. I have never had a figured top before so I'm not really qualified to rate it, but the thing looks stunning with the see-thru red and the Abalone binding around the entire thing. All the controls are tight I gave the guitar a pretty good inspection since it had been shipped, and couldn't find any flaws. Amazing what you can get for under a grand these days. The hardware on this model is top-notch. Looking forward to my first string change now that I have Sperzels.

Time will tell how the finish holds up, but I have a lot of faith in ESP. Again the hardware is top-notch and have no worries about reliability. I had strap-locks put on it before receiving it so I can't really comment on the strap-buttons. As I always say, in parallel universe where strings never break, I would be comfortable giiging it without a backup.

If you call or email ESP, don't expect a reply. Just go through your dealer. They make amazing guitars but god forbid you try and contact them with a question.

I've been playing over ten years. I have a Fernandes Vertigo X with an EMG 81 in the bridge, and Ibanez RG7621, A cheapy Squire Indo-Strat, a couple of different amps, and some stompboxes. If the guitar were stolen or lost I would replace it immediately. This was one of those rare toy-purchases that turned out to be exactly what I had hoped it would be. I bought it based on how impressed I was with a friend's MH-400 NT. I was planning to by a Gibson until I played that MH-400 and after I heard what he paid there was no way I could justify the Gibson price tag when the LTD felt like it came from a USA Custom Shop at half the price of a Les Paul Studio. I do kind of wish it was reverse headstock, and I like toggle switches over sliders, but that's getting really picky. Besides those two little items, I would change absolutely nothing about this guitar.