April '08
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Counterfeit ESP guitars
MARCH '08
FEBRUARY '08
Artist Spotlight: Richard Z of Emigrate
JANUARY '08
ESP DEBUTS ANOTHER FIVE NEW LTD MODELS
In addition to the more than 50 ESP and LTD models shown recently at the NAMM Show, ESP Guitars (Hall 4, Level 0, Walkway C, Stand 45) is using the 2008 Musikmesse show to introduce yet another five new LTD models. Shown to the world for the first time, the new EC-Cobweb, EC-Redburn, EC-256 AHB, EC-256AVB, and M-200UC are all new models in the LTD family.
Joining ESP’s new Graphic Series, the LTD EC-Cobweb and LTD EC-Redburn are based on custom artwork by designed by groundbreaking UK artist Sam Shearon (a.k.a. Mister-Sam). His style, often referred to as “dark surrealism”, is reflected in the two new models, which will have a limited production run of 100 of each. Each instrument will include a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the artist. The guitar is based on ESP’s popular LTD EC-500 model, which has a set-neck single-cutaway design at 24.75" scale, a mahogany body, a mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, and EMG 81 (bridge) / 60 (neck) active pickups.
ESP’s popular “aged” models now have LTD counterparts. The EC-256 is a singlecutaway 24.75” scale guitar with an aged treatment on the respective Aged Honey Burst (with flamed maple top) and Aged Vintage Black finishes. Both guitars offer ESP LH-150 (bridge and neck) pickups.
Also joining the LTD line is the LTD M-200UC, an affordable guitar in the popular M Series with a monochrome Urban Camouflage finish. The guitar has a bolt-on neck at 25.5” scale, and features a basswood body, a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, a locking nut and double-locking bridge, an extra thin flat neck contour, 24 XJ frets, and ESP LH-150 (bridge and neck) pickups.
ESP DEBUTS NEW ROOPE LATVALA AND HENKKA T. BLACKSMITH SIGNATURE MODELS
ESP Guitars is introducing two new Signature Series models at Musikmesse. Joining bandmate Alexi Laiho, guitarist Roope Latvala and bassist Henkka T. Blacksmith will have new models from LTD in their names. The LTD RL-600 guitar and LTD HTB-600 bass will be available from authorized ESP/LTD dealers.
“Both Roope and Henkka have been using ESPs for years,” says Allen Steelgrave, ESP director of marketing and artist relations. “We’re very happy to give these
innovative musicians the recognition they deserve with their own LTD signature series models.”
The Roope Latvala LTD RL-600 offers a unique star-shaped alder body with a neckthrough design at 25.5” scale. The maple thin-U neck with ebony fingerboard has custom inlays and 24 XJ frets. Black nickel hardware includes a Floyd Rose bridge and Grover tuners, with an EMG HZ H-2 pickup controlled by a single volume knob. The guitar comes in a custom light grey finish.
The LTD HTB-600 signature series bass is Henkka T. Blacksmith’s custom bass made available for the general public. Only the second signature bass from ESP (the other being by Tom Araya of Slayer), the HTB-600 features a neck-thru-body design at 34" scale. The lightweight and comfortable alder body is adjoined by the maple neck and ebony fingerboard, which has no inlays except the model name at the 12th fret (24 XJ frets total). Grover tuners and an ESP BB-604 bridge are made of black nickel, and the bass’ electronics include two EMG 35DC (bridge and neck) active pickups with EMG BQS 3-band active EQ. The bass is offered in a black finish with a “COBHC” graphic on the front.
ESP ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW GUITAR AND BASS PACKS
ESP Guitars has announced four new LTD Guitar and Bass Packs. Designed for beginning players or musicians on tight budgets, the M-10 Guitar Pack, F-10 Guitar Pack, Viper-10 Guitar Pack, and B-10 Bass Pack include everything a player needs to make music, including a guitar, an amplifier, and comprehensive set of accessories.
The M-10 Guitar Pack includes the LTD M-10 guitar, a budget-oriented version of ESP’s well-known M Series guitars made popular by artists like Kirk Hammett
(Metallica), Jeff Hanneman (Slayer), and George Lynch (Dokken). It also includes the ESP-10, a 10-watt amp perfect for practice and lessons, as well as a 10’ 1/4” cable, an electronic tuner, a softshell gig bag, a guitar strap, and picks. The F-10 Guitar Pack is the same, but features the distinctly-shaped LTD F-10 guitar that’s perfect for hard rock and metal fans. The Viper-10 Guitar Pack takes ESP’s popular exclusive doublecutaway guitar design and includes it with the other elements mentioned above. The B-10 Bass Pack features the LTD B-10 Bass (inspired by ESP’s popular B Series basses) and all the accessories listed above, plus the ESP-15B bass 15 watt amp.
“The new packs allow anyone who wants to learn guitar or bass to get started with the models that their heroes play,” says Jose Ferro, ESP’s vice president. “Instead of turning to a budget brand they’ve never heard of, beginning players can get into the LTD and ESP brand at an early age, turning them into lifelong customers.”
All four new ESP Guitar and Bass Packs are priced low enough to be given as gifts to young players, and affordable enough for any musician to purchase on their own. The M-10 guitar, F-10 guitar, Viper-10 guitar, and B-10 bass are not available separately and are only included as part of the Starter Pack packages. ESP Guitar and Bass Packs will be available through authorized ESP/LTD dealers.
ESP ANNOUNCES RETURN OF SPECIAL EDITION ALEXI LAIHO SIGNATURE LTD AL-600SE MODEL
ESP Guitars is doing another production run of the LTD AL-600SE Special Edition Alexi Laiho Signature Series model. The first series of the AL-600SE was introduced in Spring 2007, and the entire run sold out within days of its announcement. Known as “the pink Alexi model”, the LTD AL-600SE has several distinctions from the standard LTD-AL600 model. Most obvious is the guitar’s pink color scheme, which includes pink striping on the front and back of the body, pink sawteeth inlays on the fingerboard, a pink LTD logo and artist signature on the headstock, and a pink “COBHC” design on the back of the body. The guitar also features a slightly modified body shape for more access to higher frets.
Apart from that, the AL-600SE shares most qualities with the popular standard version, which includes a neck-thru alder body V-shaped design at a 25.5" scale. The thin U shaped neck is a 3-piece maple design with an ebony fingerboard and 24 XJ frets, and white binding on the neck and headstock. Hardware includes a Floyd Rose tremolo, Grover tuners, and a Seymour Duncan Blackout pickup controlled by one volume knob.
