M-1 CUSTOM '87
M-1 CUSTOM '87
DARK METALLIC BLUE
While ESP first got started in 1975 as a small repair shop in Tokyo, it was really toward the mid ‘80s when our guitars and basses grabbed the attention of players around the world. The LTD ’87 Series are faithful recreations of this set of instruments from ESP’s 1987 catalog. The LTD M-1 Custom ’87, based on the legendary original ESP M-1 model, offers neck-thru body construction for fast access to the highest frets. Its comfortable alder body and three-piece extra thin U-shaped maple neck are designed for speed and smooth playability. The M-1 Custom ’87 features a Floyd Rose 1000 bridge without a recess route and a single Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 pickup with a push-pull control for coil splitting, and an EMG PA-2 boost switch for when you need that extra push of raw power.
Bought the metallic blue version 2 months ago. I've previously owned an Ibanez JS1000, lots of other really good guitars including a Carvin that I custom spec'd for $3500.
My '87 ESP LTD Custom M-1 surpasses all those guitars. I selected it after an exhaustive search. I am so very pleased with this amazing guitar! Wonderfully playable, detail is barely believable. And it SOUNDS like what I heard it my head when I was looking. Test1: Plays amazing unplugged. Came precisely set up right outta the box. Test2: Amped sound- Great! I was thinking when I bought it I would replace the pick up with a "better" Seymour Duncan but couple hours later, no need. Add the onboard electronics--Shazam!
Following up almost 6 months from purchase. I continue to realize just how amazing this guitar is, and the unbelievable quality and craftsmanship. Remember, this is $1,049 guitar. Neck thru design, and fabulously done. The minutia level attention to detail is simply breathtaking. The sound is just "wow." If you are into this type of guitar, unless you have an insistence on a different brand of pickup, this Seymour Duncan TB-6 is not bargain bottom pickup; again, appreciation for sonic nuance differences from other high level pickups aside, this pickup, it's coil tap selector and boost switch (yep active electronics folks, requires a 9v battery) is PERFECT for what this guitar claims to be: an amazing 80s rock/metal guitar.
If you like this type of guitar, play one and you'll get annoyed at how much, much more you paid for other guitars even at a 2k price range.
Thanks ESP/LTD.
My wife bought me one of these for Father's Day (and also my birthday was the week before) and I have to say that this guitar absolutely rips. I love it so much, and it came very well set up from the factory, just needed to put on my gauge of strings and tune to D# and it was perfect. The Duncan Distortion pickup screams and the boost is so helpful for giving it that "push over the cliff" and taking it to "11" for a solo. Also really dig the coil split because it gives a very glassy vintage tone that works for surf and old Shadows tunes. The quality of this instrument is beyond belief and I think the single pickup with the addition of the coil split and preamp boost make this guitar so much more versatile than it looks. Another big factor for me and my connection to it is that 1987 is my birth year so having that extra touch of uniqueness to me is a real awesome factor.
Thank you ESP!
so i just found out that the m-1 custom 87 has a 43mm nut. it sucks because i was just going to buy one and 43mm nut is too wide, that's why i don't buy ibanzez. i have to scratch that off my must buy list.
anyway, here's to hoping next years m1 custom 87 has a 42mm nut and maybe a single coil pickup at the neck as well.
cheers!
PRICING AND SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Support
© Copyright 2025, The ESP Guitar Company, 5433 West San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90039 USA - PH: (800) 423-8388 - INTL: (818) 766-2097 - FAX: (818) 506-1378
Design by SilverFrog
