ESP guitars

[Soap]

If I choose to play Jacksons, ESP offering me a free guitar isn't going to make me switch.

Thats loyality...which when it comes to guitars I have no loyalities.
Its all about the best bang for the buck, whether it be Charvel, Jackson, ESP or a thrown together mutt. I've played way too many different guitars over the years to have an allegiance with any name brand guitar.

The best guitar I ever owned, was a generic Lotus.
Played like butter, super smooth, a rare jewel.
It was my main gigging guitar years ago when I gigged.
I to this day regret partially passing it on.

[Nuclear Vampire]

Why do so many good bands now a days use ESP guitars?!??! Does anyone know?! Like Megadeth or Children of Bodom (I know the whole story with Alexi's guitars getting stolen etc.) when they made good music (Something Wild, Hatebreeder, Follow The Reaper) they used Jackson and same goes for Megadeth! Now Bodom makes gay albums that suck ass like "Hate Crew Deathroll" and "Are You Dead Yet" and now Megadeth is making shitty albums too like "The System Has Failed"! Dave Mustaine used to play the awesome "King V" Jacksons and Alexi, Roope, and when Alexander was in COB they all used sweet ass Jacksons! What happened?!?!

Because playing ESP guitars makes you write "shitty" music I guess...

[skorb]

Eh, I think The System Has Failed does suck! Risk also sucked, but Cryptic Writings kicked ass and so did The World Needs A Hero.

I like a few songs off Risk (Breadline, Wanderlust and Chronos, Marty smokes on all these) and even those get much more time in my cd player than the latest few Megadeth cds, which have replacement musicians on them. they are not "Megadeth,", that is Dave, Marty, David and Nick. Marty and Nick really took that band to the next level. now it's Dave Persona and the hired hands. sad.

anyway, I used to love ESP guitars in the 80's: Lynch's kamakazies, the bones guitar - actually a J.Frogg - Mr. Scary, etc, QR's sword guitars, and the explorers Hetfield played. those were solid guitars, and they looked good with the block letter ESP logo.

I just don't like their guitar designs or logo look these days. but I'm sure the expensive ones are still well made.

[Mikernaut2]

Is ESP's Custom shop faster then Jacksons? Thats what I'm curious about.

While I own 2 ESP's myself they still dont have the tone and craftsmanship of the SL-1 I own. But then again I'm sure theres an ESP out there that might impress me enough to change my mind.

I do gotta say I like some of the paintjobs and features that ESP has done,
but the USA Jackson still wins in the end if I had to choose.

Then theres the whole ESP Teenage fanboy syndrome , Discovering Metallica (after "And Justice For All") and worshipping them and jumping on the "ESP Is the be all end all bandwagon". Not to mention the latest Emo band flavor of the month.

On another note it seems like "black" is the "in" color this year over at ESP and now there are very limited color choices.

[Crusher]

As mentioned earlier, ESP knows how to market. Sure they endorse new bands, but also land some big, well recognized names to balance them out and give them more exposure. Obviously some of the bigger more established bands have their best music behind them, so they get by on reputation alone. ESP makes great guitars, but I'd never own one for the following reasons:

1. The name....ESP ? WTF is that? It actually stands for "Electronic Sound Products"....sorry, that's just really cheezy. Doesn't sit well with me at all and I almost laugh everytime I hear or see it. LTD isn't much better, I don't know what that stands for, I don't want to know.

2. Maybe I'm wrong, but they seem to have no style of their own, they just copy everyone else's designs. I know they have that "devil girl" abomination and misc. others, but if you look at most of their models, it's all copies that are slightly altered and have different inlays.

3. Cost, not counting the low line LTD crap, getting a real ESP will cost you the same, if not more than a comparibly equipped guitar from a different manufacturer and in the end it's just a very nice copy. Not to discredit their fine workmanship and quality, but for the price, I'll stick with USA Jackson, PRS & Gibson and get a much better guitar IMO.

[Boxcar Willie 84]

"Anyway.. I don't understand the endorsement thing one bit..I am lost when it comes to this subject..but IF (which I do) I have 5 perfectly good Jackson guitars, why would I need an ESP?? If I tear one up, I have plenty of time to replace it...because I have 4 more...JMO..as I said, I have never been offered an endorsement, and am confused by how they work. If I choose to play Jacksons, ESP offering me a free guitar isn't going to make me switch."

From our perspective (my singer's anyway), having only one guitar and wanting to tour, etc, and needing another one, its a great way to get a decent instrument for a discounted price. I have a few Gibsons that I use and am fine with that so I don't plan on getting one, but for my singer and especially for other bands on our label that arent as lucky as we are as far as equipment goes, its a cool opportunity.

[sl2lover]

As mentioned earlier, ESP knows how to market. Sure they endorse new bands, but also land some big, well recognized names to balance them out and give them more exposure. Obviously some of the bigger more established bands have their best music behind them, so they get by on reputation alone. ESP makes great guitars, but I'd never own one for the following reasons:

1. The name....ESP ? WTF is that? It actually stands for "Electronic Sound Products"....sorry, that's just really cheezy. Doesn't sit well with me at all and I almost laugh everytime I hear or see it. LTD isn't much better, I don't know what that stands for, I don't want to know.

2. Maybe I'm wrong, but they seem to have no style of their own, they just copy everyone else's designs. I know they have that "devil girl" abomination and misc. others, but if you look at most of their models, it's all copies that are slightly altered and have different inlays.

3. Cost, not counting the low line LTD crap, getting a real ESP will cost you the same, if not more than a comparibly equipped guitar from a different manufacturer and in the end it's just a very nice copy. Not to discredit their fine workmanship and quality, but for the price, I'll stick with USA Jackson, PRS & Gibson and get a much better guitar IMO.

Ya FUCK ESP!!

[Venomboy]

I have a friend who might get an endorsement with ESP. They offered him a full blown custom, anything goes bass. Then 3 off the shelf ESP basses. He's gonna tour and he likes to beat his instruments. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Regarding copying, yes ESP does it. So does Jackson. Jackson has their own spin on some classic shapes and has some original shapes.

[Deneb]

If ESP gave me some free guitars, I'd take them.

[sl2lover]

Well I guess if you'll play anything they'll give you! I'd still wouldn't take anything over a Jackson though! Not for metal anyway! It's not like picking women, cuz I'm waay less picky about them, then my next guitar! But if Jackson weren't to exsist! I'd rather play a B.C. anyday! Fuck Esp!

[Predator1]

I just recently aquired a ESP MII Urban Camo. It is a well made instrument and sounds and plays as nice as any of my Jackson/Charvel guitars. I bought it because in my hands it just felt better then any of the Sl2h's I have played. Yes! I probably paid more then I should have but I am happy with it and that is all that matters.I must say that the Customer service at ESP USA is great! I e-mailed them about a missing cavity cover screw and they sent me 5 screws, a catalog and a shirt for free. It arrived in 2 days.

[diablomozart]

reading threrads like this makes me glad i am on the jackson roster...lol...do i get free guitars?...not that i know of...i never asked...don't even know if i get a discount...will ask pertinent questions when i have money to buy another guitar...lol...fact is tho...it's kinda weird to see how many people will defend their choice of guitars...just because i like jackson better doesnt mena i think esp's suck...i have owned quite a few thru the years...if you can name it odds are i have probably owned it...guitars are a matter of personal preference...i don't fault anyone if they like esp, bc rich, or even yamahas...it's all about what's good for the individual player...i just settled on charvel jackson some 15 years ago and decided they were what i was comfy on...it has nothing to do with headstock shapes, logos or anything else...it has to do with the feel, sound and look of the overall instruments...and what may be right for me wont necessarily be right for everyone...just as what is right for alexi, dave mustaine, zakk wylde, vai, etc...wont be right for everyone...in other words...find the instrument you love...and drop the bashing of the other brands cause there is always someone else out there who will pick that other brand and bash what you love...respect for people and their choices is a good thing...peace...d.m.

[VitaminG]

[MBreinin]

I think guitar and amp companies should start a "sponsor a bedroom player" program.....I would be first in line.

Gee, ESPs suck?

Hmmm....let's see who plays them:

LYNCH
DeGarmo
Wilton
Mustaine
Laito
Jake
Hetfield
Hammet
etc., etc.

I guess they suck...but when I can play as well as the guys up above, I will complain.

Shit, Yngwie and Lynch played Aria Pro II's in their days...I have played Fenders and Gibbys that sucked ass...and $200 Agiles that kicked ass.

Mike

[Toast]

Yea, I agree with whole cheap guitars can sometimes kick more ass than the expensive ones deal. Also Alexi laiho recorded all of Hatecrew Deathroll with his jacksons. Check the music video for Needled 24/7 if you dont believe me. I also read this information in a guitarworld or Guitar one magazine. I cant remember.