The ESP LTD EC-1000 enjoys a stellar reputation among metal guitarists, and for good reason. After spending a month with this instrument, it’s time to delve into a detailed review. Renowned for its metal-centric design, the Ltd 1000 Guitar series consistently garners five-star ratings, becoming synonymous with the sound of modern metal.
One of the first things you’ll notice is the incredibly fast neck. It’s arguably one of the quickest necks available, facilitating rapid playing styles essential for metal genres. Achieving pristine clean tones is also surprisingly easy; pairing the guitar with the right speaker or IR and employing a gentle touch negates the need for coil-splitting. Furthermore, the guitar is remarkably lightweight, adding to its playability. The fretwork is impeccable – flawlessly executed, contributing significantly to the overall playing experience. Tuning stability is rock solid, ensuring consistent performance. Crucially, the EC-1000 delivers the powerful, resonant sound profile that players expect from a high-caliber metal guitar equipped with active pickups.
However, it’s not without its flaws. A notable oversight is the bridge saddles arriving un-notched from the factory. This means the strings are simply resting atop the saddles, a perplexing design choice for a guitar in this price range. While easily rectified with proper tools, this is an unacceptable issue and could be a deal-breaker for less experienced players unfamiliar with guitar setup. Another point of contention is the inclusion of a plastic nut. At this price point, a plastic nut feels like a significant compromise. Upgrading to a Graphtec Black TUSQ XL nut, which arguably should be standard on the LTD 1000 guitar, is almost mandatory to maximize performance and justify the cost.
Despite these drawbacks, the guitar’s core quality is undeniable. It is a good guitar, but the question remains: is it justifiable to pay a premium price for an instrument that requires immediate fixes? While the reviewer found it slightly inferior to their Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro with Black Winter pickups, the limited options for left-handed players, especially in Australia seeking a 24.75″ scale guitar with EMG pickups for genres like metal (essential for achieving that signature ‘Tallica sound), makes the ESP LTD EC-1000 a compelling, albeit imperfect, choice.
