Anyone played an ESP EC-1000

[riddlermarc]

I'm looking to add a Les Paul to my collection but I'm not really after a Gibson, way too much money right now. I'm looking at an ESP EC-1000 at around £750, one of the attractions is that it has the pickups I want as standard (EMG81/60) whereas if I bought a Gibson/Epi/Tokai I'd have to spend £150+ to get the pickups fitted. Also it has a 24 fret neck, a definite bonus.

I know Gibson purists will have a field day and say "a Gibson will sound way better" but (right now) I'm not after that classic Gibson sound, I want the more high-output of the active EMG's.

So, anyone played one of these or seen one in the flesh? I'm only after the black model with the gold hardware and I'm curious as to how good they look.

 

[Gaijin]

Yes, I own one Apart from mine is about a year old and has the dual 81's in it. I will get round to putting a 60 in the neck one day. It is a wicked guitar and the build quality and specification are great. You are right, it's no gibson but then its not supposed to be, the sound is bitey and aggressive great for hard rock and metal riffs. Sounds great if you play it acoustic too and the sustain is great. Really great value for money.

The bad stuff i've found (not much) is that my front strap screw came out and nearly ended up with me losing my guitar down a flight of stairs.

The other thing ive found is that its the wrong sort of guitar for me. Theres nothing wrong with it and im definately keeping it but in retrospect i should have bought something like a Jeff Hanneman Sig, strat shape with trem with an 81/60 for my metal stuff and a LP for the more bluesy stuff.

No doubt that its an amazing guitar with impeccable value for money though.
Especially as I got mine delivered new for £400.

 

[riddlermarc]

Wow, care to let on where you found it at that price Funnily enough, I had the same problem (front strap screw) on my old Ibanez RG550.. in the end I had to pack the hole with splints of match and a little wood glue to tighten up the hole.

Thanks for the info, I already own a Jackson DXMG loaded with EMG's so that fulfils my strat needs.. am looking at he EC-1000 to give me a little more variety. I read it's not as heavy as a Gibson yet still made of mahogany too?

 

[Gaijin]

Thats right - its not as heavy as a Gibson, its a really nice weight, I imported very naughtily from america at the height of the good exchange rate era.

ALl depends if you want to take the risk of having it sent across the atlantic. I did and It paid off - especially as it was selling for £1000 over here then.

 

[RetiredGreyFox]

If you want a Gibson style guitar that will be just as good then get yourself a TOKAI.
These guitars are worth every penny and Gibson tried to get them banned way back in the 70's.