I always tell people that if I ever got a sig, it'd be through ESP/LTD. I'm a Les Paul guy, but out of every major brand, ESP/LTD seem to have the best quality/affordability ratio. Love and effort seems to be put in every single instrument that comes from them.
@@HooksBill Well their prices skyrocketed especially the higher-end ones; I still like the LTD Eclipses since Gibson sucks now, and the thinner body on most of them compared to the real thing as well as the tummy-cut helps.
Been playing guitar for over 40 years. I’ve owned Fenders, Les Pauls, you name it. My ESP guitar is among the best I’ve owned. It is a race car among electric guitars. What a snarl!
Ya baby! I have 2 ESP LTD's, tele & a strat, awesome guitars and very attainable! The colour of the 101 is doing it for me, or a honey burst! Gr8 jam Gents! 🤟
Thank you guys so much for doing this video... nobody has a good regular eclipse vs full thickness comparison... nor even any good videos of just how the full thickness sounds!
I've got 2 ESP LTD 1000s built in 2020. Vintage Black 81/60 EMG, See Thru Black Cherry with the James Hetfield EMGs installed, plekd and a tusq nut put in. Both now come with XJ Stainless steel frets. These 2 are impossible to put down They are absolutely amazing. I have put my Slash Les Paul Anaconda and my PRS DUSTIE WARING CE 24 WARING BURST in the closet w/ humidifiers. That should tell you something. Great video guys. ESP worth every penny.
Have had multiple ESP LTD's. Even though there were some personal taste preferences that made me get rid of them, they were absolute stellar guitars. I have owned basically every EC. From the 50 to the 1000. Monster of a guitar.
There are so many great guitars being made today , it's the best time ever to be a guitar player. Option overload is not a bad problem to have when shopping.
Bringing back the infamous Lee lick in this one. Lol. I like it. Great intro jam you guys did really awesome with the more modern tones, even though I know it’s not your usual vibe.
Ended up getting lucky last year with a mint 2019 ESP E-II Eclipse in blue natural fade for $1200! I wanna preface with the fact that I was terribly prejudicial towards EMG pickups, but picked up that guitar regardless simply because of its looks and the killer deal. Let me tell you first off, E-II quality is second to none. I don’t usually prefer single cut guitars, and I DEFINITELY don’t prefer glossy necks, but that guitar still manages to be my favorite and most played by a fair margin. ESP and E-II branding aside, if you’ve wanted to try EMGs but are also put off because of the “shredders only” stigma they seem to have generated over the years, find a guitar with the “splittable” 57TW/66TW set and just give them a try. They are genuinely very dynamic and beautiful sounding pickups and offer great tones that are usable for just about any music you may play. I don’t usually go this far just for a UA-cam comment, but if it can encourage even just one person to go out of their comfort zone and experience the same surprise and satisfaction that I did, then it’s worth it.
Yeah EMG 57/66 and Retroactive should be given a try to people not into the 81/85/etc. If anything, people can use the battery compartment and install Fishman Fluences if they wanted.
@@PatrickBateman1337 the recording medium doesn’t matter. His live tone matched his recorded tone. Nobody mentioned tape or recording anyway. I think the tone of EMGs are fantastic especially paired with my ENGL fireball 100.
@@PatrickBateman1337 hahahaha awesome man! I’m with you I don’t understand the hate either. I’ve tried other pickups only to go back to EMGs they’re consistent and warm. I also love the solderless switching ability! Cheers bro!
Oh my god. How the Captain has improved his guitar playing the last few years, is just insane. From (sorry to say) quite boring blues licks just some years ago to the level he shows today is just impressive. I guess playing with Rabea, Danish Pete and Rob the last 10 years has made a massive impact. But a big request: don’t get to serious in the videos. It’s the playfulness, silliness, bad jokes and laughs which makes the show worthwhile looking at. More blindfold tests, more challenges of different types, and more fun😀😀👍
Great batch of guitars there. Stoked about the ESP takeover! Give me all the ESP! PS, unless they've changed recently, E-II's have veneers overtop of a maple top.
Bought a used EC Lemon Drop and have fell in love with ESP LTD! Best rocking and blues guitar I have! Have seen these guitars before but most were black or white so I never picked them up. Saw the Lemon Drop and met up with the guy who had it.From the moment it was in my hand and after I plugged it in , sorry Gibson , no need for a Les Paul now! I have found my guitar that I will play more than my HSS Strat , Ibanez Artcore 335 copy and my acoustic!!!! The Lemon Drop is good for what ever you want to play!!!!!
So cool to see LTD guitars everywhere. I wanted to try out an Evertune bridge and could only find one on a LTD EC-1000 Deluxe. Best guitar I've ever played. Loved the neck so much I went out and bought the TE 1000 Deluxe (for single coil sounds and the same neck). Put my PRS SEs (2), Fender Strats (2), and my Gibson Les Paul into thier cases. Haven't looked back in 2 years.
Since no one has said it ....I will....for the money....in single cut guitars....ESP gives you so much more than a traditional Les Paul. I have the amber burst Eii full thickness...and it is head and shoulders above my 60's Les Paul. It is more comfortable to play and imo better build quality. The fit and finish are top notch...and it actually stays in tune. If you like LP's you will love these. Well worth the money. The only place a Gibson Les Paul has the advantage is in resale value.
I do have an ESP Eclipse (4 knob version) with Seymour Duncans from 2008. It doesn't get used much now, because my taste has changed more towards traditional Les Paul, tele and strat, but... If you're into heavier music - Eclipse is one of the best things you can buy. Mine resonates like crazy and goes into super sweet feedback when you need it. Pickups are very nicely matched - no problems with neck pickup having too much bass or bridge being too thin. So get yourself that granite sparkle E-II and you'll be happy for years ;)
"It's a bit confusing, isn't it." It is, and what bugs me is that you can pay $150 for a student model or $1,500 for a beautiful professional-grade instrument and either way it says LTD on the headstock. If they're gonna split up the brands like that, couldn't they choose a more logical cutoff point for the "low end?"
that's how it's been with them, the LTD name was on alot of there guitars even back when i was in my last year of highschool 2003. most people reference James Hetfield and Kirk Hammit alot, but what alot of people forget is ESP branded the name itself on the headstock, because it's a custom. Metallica started out with Gibson Les Paul and Explorer on the first two albums, once a band reaches a certain amount of success that's when players can get any guitar they want made. i don't know why they do it that way either, but you have to remember the way Japan deals with other Asian markets is different than the way we might. but not all companies do the same, Ibanez is a Japanese company and there name is on everything regardless if it's entry level to the most expensive. ESP is the only one i know of that does things a little differently, but a few of the Eclipse models they showed here, they did reference that they are made in Japan. it's just that a separate team works on them, now to get the actual ESP name on the headstock you have to go to Custom.
@Daniel Rowan Don't they all have it? No matter how hard you try they find out. Maybe it's us who are unusually happy for no apparent reason after getting a new axe...
I just bought this guitar an hour ago, I'd never take a Les Paul over an Full Thickness Eclipse. I would say the LTD EC1000 guitars are as good if not better than the Les Paul Standards. I'd say the EII is on the custom level and at half the price. I own about 20 Guitars and most of them are ESP/LTD/E-II.
I've got a satin lemon burst ec-1000 with the fishman pickups. I've had it over a year and love it. The only bad thing about it is the top is very bland on it. However, it plays like a dream and sounds amazing.
I'm in the USA, Lee and I don't get the EC joke, sorry. I DO remember back in the 1970s when E.C.I.G. was a thing and you would see it spray painted on block walls and such around town. E.C.I.G., Man I feel old! lolz
The orange E2 looks the best. The tobacco burst sounds the best. I’d probably buy the orange one. It’s like when I bought my 60’s LP standard. I preferred the sound of the 50’s but the 60’s fits me better for looks, feel, and the range of styles I play. I’ll agree with Lee if I was to buy a single cut and it wasn’t an LP, a McCarty 594 SC would be the one because I’m a massive PRS fan and that’s my favorite model. But my pockets choose Gibson. My nose does too 😂
“It gets fuller when I pull it.”
-Danish Pete, 2021
Isn't it suppose to?
And when he doesn't 🤣
The Captain has been possessed by THE SHRED!!!!!!
It seems Justin Sandercoe did a good job.
"Look inside my cavity, it's a sparkle cavity". Yes, Uncle Pete.
Whooo hooo, naughty naughty! (Uncle Pete, lolz)
Can't believe they didn't catch that
Damm!!! LEE..you are getting better every week..both you and Petes tone is the best on the web
Nice job gentlemen....thank you for your partnership and support!!
Swapped my LP for an Eclipse and have never looked back. Great guitars for the modern guitarist and significantly less back ache.
I love that purple eclipse. The world needs more purple guitars!!
And less pink ones
It's raindeer blue...
I always tell people that if I ever got a sig, it'd be through ESP/LTD. I'm a Les Paul guy, but out of every major brand, ESP/LTD seem to have the best quality/affordability ratio. Love and effort seems to be put in every single instrument that comes from them.
Absolutely! I got a M-50 for free, one of the cheapest, cleaned it up, modded it and it's so good!
Nah lol.
How are the Indonesian LTDs?
@@HooksBill Well their prices skyrocketed especially the higher-end ones; I still like the LTD Eclipses since Gibson sucks now, and the thinner body on most of them compared to the real thing as well as the tummy-cut helps.
@@mindfall82 Some of their plain-looking guitars are good for modding but aren’t absolute shit to begin with.
That's some damn good lead playing from the captain there. Is he becoming a secret shredder?
I think he secretly practice everyday, probably 4 hours a day! Haha
Been playing guitar for over 40 years. I’ve owned Fenders, Les Pauls, you name it. My ESP guitar is among the best I’ve owned. It is a race car among electric guitars. What a snarl!
same for me
Ya baby! I have 2 ESP LTD's, tele & a strat, awesome guitars and very attainable! The colour of the 101 is doing it for me, or a honey burst! Gr8 jam Gents! 🤟
The sparkle one! That's a proper stage guitar.
Thank you guys so much for doing this video... nobody has a good regular eclipse vs full thickness comparison... nor even any good videos of just how the full thickness sounds!
I've got 2 ESP LTD 1000s built in 2020. Vintage Black 81/60 EMG, See Thru Black Cherry with the James Hetfield EMGs installed, plekd and a tusq nut put in. Both now come with XJ Stainless steel frets. These 2 are impossible to put down
They are absolutely amazing. I have put my Slash Les Paul Anaconda and my PRS DUSTIE WARING CE 24 WARING BURST in the closet w/ humidifiers. That should tell you something. Great video guys. ESP worth every penny.
I feel ESP have come a long way in recent years. should have brought back the wild stallions back for this video :)
They may return one day... ;)
@@andertons cant wait :)
Pat Heath and I will also be around this weekend, to answer any questions with Drew
Have had multiple ESP LTD's. Even though there were some personal taste preferences that made me get rid of them, they were absolute stellar guitars.
I have owned basically every EC. From the 50 to the 1000. Monster of a guitar.
There are so many great guitars being made today , it's the best time ever to be a guitar player. Option overload is not a bad problem to have when shopping.
Bringing back the infamous Lee lick in this one. Lol. I like it. Great intro jam you guys did really awesome with the more modern tones, even though I know it’s not your usual vibe.
Watching this video while holding my E-II EC is very satisfied and joyful
Ended up getting lucky last year with a mint 2019 ESP E-II Eclipse in blue natural fade for $1200! I wanna preface with the fact that I was terribly prejudicial towards EMG pickups, but picked up that guitar regardless simply because of its looks and the killer deal. Let me tell you first off, E-II quality is second to none. I don’t usually prefer single cut guitars, and I DEFINITELY don’t prefer glossy necks, but that guitar still manages to be my favorite and most played by a fair margin. ESP and E-II branding aside, if you’ve wanted to try EMGs but are also put off because of the “shredders only” stigma they seem to have generated over the years, find a guitar with the “splittable” 57TW/66TW set and just give them a try. They are genuinely very dynamic and beautiful sounding pickups and offer great tones that are usable for just about any music you may play. I don’t usually go this far just for a UA-cam comment, but if it can encourage even just one person to go out of their comfort zone and experience the same surprise and satisfaction that I did, then it’s worth it.
Yeah EMG 57/66 and Retroactive should be given a try to people not into the 81/85/etc. If anything, people can use the battery compartment and install Fishman Fluences if they wanted.
Gilmour recorded Dark Side of the Moon on EMGs…
@@PatrickBateman1337 the recording medium doesn’t matter. His live tone matched his recorded tone. Nobody mentioned tape or recording anyway. I think the tone of EMGs are fantastic especially paired with my ENGL fireball 100.
@@PatrickBateman1337 hahahaha awesome man! I’m with you I don’t understand the hate either. I’ve tried other pickups only to go back to EMGs they’re consistent and warm. I also love the solderless switching ability! Cheers bro!
@@PatrickBateman1337 love the name too lol I’m old enough to remember Huey Lewis lol
The Esp Ltd ec256 is a great guitar at its price point. Also the Squier classic vibe stuff is really good.
Oh my god. How the Captain has improved his guitar playing the last few years, is just insane. From (sorry to say) quite boring blues licks just some years ago to the level he shows today is just impressive. I guess playing with Rabea, Danish Pete and Rob the last 10 years has made a massive impact. But a big request: don’t get to serious in the videos. It’s the playfulness, silliness, bad jokes and laughs which makes the show worthwhile looking at. More blindfold tests, more challenges of different types, and more fun😀😀👍
He is, after all, the Captain!
34:32 Ola Englund would be proud!
Cool playing! The guitars are great!
Thanks for tuning in Filip. We've got plenty of ESP videos coming out over this weekend, so stay tuned!
That E-II Granite Sparkle is a fishing lure for humans
The eyes of reindeer are blue.And my 70 yr old self is gonna buy that granite sparkle ASAP,because of you guys!😊
That reindeer eclipse! 🤩😍
Welcome to Jazz Club! Brilliant chaps!
Lee being that classic rocker is awesome. Maybe I'll look into ESP for a change.
Great batch of guitars there. Stoked about the ESP takeover! Give me all the ESP! PS, unless they've changed recently, E-II's have veneers overtop of a maple top.
Im totally addicted to my E-II guitars...and i want more 🤣🤣
Hey Lee great playing, nice to see from across the pond from NS Canada
You have been practicing I see, Lee! Great work.
Hi all! Great playing Lee and Pete! Looking forward to this!!
wicked play out and intro as well. Love it!
I really like these Lee and Pete videos! You guys are a good match I think.
Anyone is better than ChappedBalls.
Bought a used EC Lemon Drop and have fell in love with ESP LTD! Best rocking and blues guitar I have! Have seen these guitars before but most were black or white so I never picked them up. Saw the Lemon Drop and met up with the guy who had it.From the moment it was in my hand and after I plugged it in , sorry Gibson , no need for a Les Paul now! I have found my guitar that I will play more than my HSS Strat , Ibanez Artcore 335 copy and my acoustic!!!! The Lemon Drop is good for what ever you want to play!!!!!
does it drive anyone else crazy that the LTD series eclipses seem to have more/cooler color varieties than the more expensive E-II series?
I just like how much Danish Pete is flexing his chug muscles.
That ashtray battery holder is so lol cool 😉😊 20:45
Bravo El Capitano !! Bravo !! ( Awesome as always Pete as well but we always knew you could do it )
Great intro!!! Damn the boys can play !! Both your tone is NUTS!!! I'm SOLD!!! Great job guys!! Peace
Lee! What an excellent jam at the beginning! Playing angry suits you!
So cool to see LTD guitars everywhere. I wanted to try out an Evertune bridge and could only find one on a LTD EC-1000 Deluxe. Best guitar I've ever played. Loved the neck so much I went out and bought the TE 1000 Deluxe (for single coil sounds and the same neck). Put my PRS SEs (2), Fender Strats (2), and my Gibson Les Paul into thier cases. Haven't looked back in 2 years.
Preordered that E-ii Eclipse with the granite sparkle finish! It looks so good.
Those EMGs sound so good after the fishmans. I'm surprised I'm thinking that. The Duncans are so sweet sounding.
Great stuff, Lee and Pete!
Captain well done sounded awesome. Pete you rocked it out as well.
Since no one has said it ....I will....for the money....in single cut guitars....ESP gives you so much more than a traditional Les Paul. I have the amber burst Eii full thickness...and it is head and shoulders above my 60's Les Paul. It is more comfortable to play and imo better build quality. The fit and finish are top notch...and it actually stays in tune. If you like LP's you will love these. Well worth the money. The only place a Gibson Les Paul has the advantage is in resale value.
Still love my ESP Eclipse semi-hollow from the 90s.
They're awesome. I have 2.
30:00 - 31:00 ok Captain, you got my attention there!!!
Looks like some nice flamed Ebony on the E-II on the left!
I do have an ESP Eclipse (4 knob version) with Seymour Duncans from 2008. It doesn't get used much now, because my taste has changed more towards traditional Les Paul, tele and strat, but... If you're into heavier music - Eclipse is one of the best things you can buy. Mine resonates like crazy and goes into super sweet feedback when you need it. Pickups are very nicely matched - no problems with neck pickup having too much bass or bridge being too thin. So get yourself that granite sparkle E-II and you'll be happy for years ;)
Captain is the epitome of "just practice!".
Great video, really enjoyed the jamming :D
Stay tuned for a weekend of incredible jams!
That black sparkle one is killer
My first car had those ashtrays in the doors! Very cool!
Now THIS is something special! LOVE IT! keep rockin 👍😍
Cool, another takeover! Loved the Ibanez one. Also, used to have an ec500. Was a really nice guitar!
Please try an ESP USA Eclipse. I have just one, but I don't want to put it down. Get your own! Stunning guitar.
I’ve been absolutely tonguin’ for the EC-1000 matte black with gold binding and hardware.. can’t bring myself to sell a fender though...
I bought on last week, you won’t be disappointed ! It’s plays and sounds like a dream 🤘
Just keep the fender and buy the ESP can never have too many axes
Get if you can, trust me you will not be disappointed, you will have a hard time putting the guitar down
34:08 for a second there I thought Pete was going to launch into Slaughter of the Soul.
"DANE!!"
"It's a bit confusing, isn't it." It is, and what bugs me is that you can pay $150 for a student model or $1,500 for a beautiful professional-grade instrument and either way it says LTD on the headstock. If they're gonna split up the brands like that, couldn't they choose a more logical cutoff point for the "low end?"
that's how it's been with them, the LTD name was on alot of there guitars even back when i was in my last year of highschool 2003.
most people reference James Hetfield and Kirk Hammit alot, but what alot of people forget is ESP branded the name itself on the headstock, because it's a custom. Metallica started out with Gibson Les Paul and Explorer on the first two albums, once a band reaches a certain amount of success that's when players can get any guitar they want made. i don't know why they do it that way either, but you have to remember the way Japan deals with other Asian markets is different than the way we might. but not all companies do the same, Ibanez is a Japanese company and there name is on everything regardless if it's entry level to the most expensive.
ESP is the only one i know of that does things a little differently, but a few of the Eclipse models they showed here, they did reference that they are made in Japan. it's just that a separate team works on them, now to get the actual ESP name on the headstock you have to go to Custom.
That metal zone sounds FIRE
i wish they still made the "Distressed" series Eclipse , preferrably with the full thickness and passive SD Pickups
Yes!!!!
18:35- EC lover :) worked that out! Good joke that… thank you
Ok, Lee! Damn, you're getting good. Keep it up.
Wow! Captains playing has improved! Metal head!!👍🏼
great looking axes!
Lee, your playing improved a lot. You're playing very well. I think all those sessions you did with Pete made you a better player :-)
Time to upgrade or add to my ESP collection. Please don’t tell the wife. 😎
We'll keep it quiet don't worry... ;)
Esp?? You mean divorcee haha
Mine just learned 3 days ago about Vintage V100 in gold hardware I acquired 6 months ago... I got off unscathed this time around.
@Daniel Rowan Don't they all have it? No matter how hard you try they find out. Maybe it's us who are unusually happy for no apparent reason after getting a new axe...
@@andertons How much for a receipt with what I told the wife it costed?
Love that Andromeda Gold....
Love that for my hubby....
And I'll have the bass in that colour 😎
Did the Cap just go full Scorpions?! The blessed shred! That's some serious BDE.
Reindeer Blue is because their eyes change blue during winter to help them see in winter lighting
I just bought this guitar an hour ago, I'd never take a Les Paul over an Full Thickness Eclipse. I would say the LTD EC1000 guitars are as good if not better than the Les Paul Standards. I'd say the EII is on the custom level and at half the price. I own about 20 Guitars and most of them are ESP/LTD/E-II.
awesome demo...gorgeous guitars...sparkle my fav
I've got a satin lemon burst ec-1000 with the fishman pickups. I've had it over a year and love it. The only bad thing about it is the top is very bland on it. However, it plays like a dream and sounds amazing.
Ltd’s are incredible for the price. An ESP would be a worthy investment.
Nice guys yesss,great vibe mates 👌 😎 🙌 😀
26:55 Sorry Lee, but E-IIs has a figured Veneer over a maple cap, it really depends on what you do to that veneer how it will pop
I thought the 60 cleaned up well, idk why you guys didn’t like it. It’s probably my favorite active for clean tones.
16:45 ESP/LTD should release more satin translucent finishes - it's the best and I don't wanna do my dull mod every time I get a new guitar :P
I've always been a traditional guy but I'm surprised how good these guitars sound. Maybe time to try something new. Nice demo guys.
watch the video on the ESP Japan shop. These guys are master builders.
LOVE YOU GUYS BEEN WAITING LOOKING AT THE BELL!!!
COMMENT FOR THE ALGORITHM FOLKS!!!!!!
I'm in the USA, Lee and I don't get the EC joke, sorry. I DO remember back in the 1970s when E.C.I.G. was a thing and you would see it spray painted on block walls and such around town. E.C.I.G., Man I feel old! lolz
I really dig that EC1001 when ESP/LTD first posted it. no reason to have pickup mounting rings anymore. direct mount all the way!
This intro was 🔥
Loads more on the way!
Problem with the E-II is that the logo is E-II ...
Bring back the ESP logo!
Just like for the intro jam already, guys.
That kraken sounds beast
Ohhhhhhh yeahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
I think the e ii flame tops have a flame veneer on top of a thick maple cap. Esp isnt the most transparent.
Loved this, a little late, but if anyone could fill me in as to what amplifiers you played through I'd be ever so thankful. Cheers
I just got a Gibson 60s, but hot damn! I'm gonna grab one up now!
damn pete went all out Marty Mcfly on that Eclipse !!
The orange E2 looks the best. The tobacco burst sounds the best. I’d probably buy the orange one. It’s like when I bought my 60’s LP standard. I preferred the sound of the 50’s but the 60’s fits me better for looks, feel, and the range of styles I play. I’ll agree with Lee if I was to buy a single cut and it wasn’t an LP, a McCarty 594 SC would be the one because I’m a massive PRS fan and that’s my favorite model. But my pockets choose Gibson. My nose does too 😂
Reindeer blue all the way for me x
If I was going to buy a LP style guitar I would def go for a ESP.