EC-1000
EC-1000
VINTAGE BLACK
Guitars in the LTD EC-1000 Series are designed to offer the tone, feel, looks, and quality that working professional musicians need in an instrument, along with the pricing that typical musicians can still afford. The EC-1000 VB is consistently one of the most popular guitars due to its combination of incredible looks and great performance. It offers a vintage looking body/neck/headstock binding and gold hardware, and includes premier components like LTD locking tuners, a Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece, and the aggressive punch of active EMG 81/60 pickups. It also offers set-thru construction with a mahogany body, 3 pc. mahogany neck, and 24-fret Macassar ebony fingerboard. Available in Vintage Black finish.
Just 2 days ago I got a used EC1000 Vintage Black from Guitar Center. As soon as I played it, I knew I was taking it home. I've been playing Jackson Guitars for over 30 years and to play this guitar....it's definitely a keeper. Normally, I do not get guitars without a tremolo system, but because this guitar sounded great with EMG pickups, locking tuners and the guitar neck is so flawless....playing lead guitar was a breeze. Mine says it was made in Korea and I found a serial number decoder online which says the guitar was made in the year 2000. Now I'll just spend my money on ESP LTD guitars.
Had it for a month now, time for a review.
THE GOOD: It's an EC-1000, if you know its name you know its reputation. Consistently reviews at 5 stars, it's the sound of metal. Incredibly quick neck, the fastest I've ever played. Don't need splitcoils for a recordable clean tone, just need the right speaker/IR and a light touch. Weighs close to nothing. Frets are perfect, I repeat: THE FRETS ARE PERFECT. No issues with tuning stability whatsoever and most importantly, it sounds exactly like you expect it to.
THE BAD: Bridge saddles not notched at factory. Just six strings sitting on top of bridge saddles, I'm completely serious. I hope this isn't an intentional design choice because if it is, it's a horrible one. Lucky I own a set of files and was able to do the job myself. For most players this would have warranted a return. Plastic nut at this price bracket is a joke, replaced with Graphtec Black TUSQ XL, which is what the guitar should come with from the factory.
Is the guitar good? Absolutely. Is it okay to pay AUD1900 for an axe that's literally incomplete? No. Is it better than my Epi LP Custom Pro with Black Winters? Not really, certainly not AUD450 better. At the end of the day, I'll be keeping it because as an Australian left-handed person, my options are pretty limited when shopping for a guitar that has 24.75" scale and EMGs, and you can't do a respectable 'Tallica cover without EMGs.
Just picked up a vintage black version of this guitar and I have to say I could not be happier. The guitar plays brilliantly and sounds fantastic, and it also is a beauty and inspires me to pick it up and give it a go every day.
The neck is a bit fatter than the thin neck I am used to on my Ibanez, but it plays fast and smooth. Upper fret access is good, even with smaller hands like mine. I love the fact that it has 24 frets.
The guitar also came set up well, though I did lower the action a bit to play faster.
The EMG pickups deliver clean, strong tone that sounds equally good playing clean as well as super distorted. Lead is an absolute joy to play — the notes sustain like a mofo!
Whoever recommended this guitar for anyone who wants a $1000 axe that plays and sounds like a $5000 axe is right on the money.
This was my first ESP / LTD and certainly won’t be my last.
If you’re on the fence about getting this, do yourself a favor and just get it.
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