I have that exact guitar right now. I just got it a couple of weeks ago. I’m upgrading the pick up to an Seymour Duncan Blackouts active pickup set and 50-11 set should have it back in the next few days, it’s in the shop, but I really love this guitar, same everything, block inlays, cream yellow, and I really love the way it plays 👍, 🤘🎸🤘🎸😎😎
@@SteveSterlacci yeah since I put in the Seymour Duncan blackout pickups and I change the strings and I had the guitar set up this guitar sounds a hell of a lot better and it plays way better, but yes, it did need some work, especially with replacing the pickups, and the strings plus a proper setup, but these pickups are very hot, they bleed more juice into the amp to where I have to turn some of the settings down, I love the fact that it bleeds more juice, because it sounds way better and it has added distortion with these new blackout pickups, big fan, I’ve had the EMG 81/60 and 81/85 sets in my guitars in my previous guitars, I’ve had the Seymour Duncan blackouts only once in a previous guitar, that was my 2014 Gibson SGJ and it sounded killer, I went back to Seymour Duncan with my upgrades for this guitar but besides for that, I’m honestly really happy about the way it turned out. I may go back to the EMG pickups eventually but maybe not, we’ll see, I like the Seymour Duncan blackouts right now I love how hot the pickups are, and how aggressive sounding and they have a lot of bite. The way I’m looking at this guitar is the fact that I don’t have the middle finger inlays on the fretboard so I think of this guitar similar to a Gibson Explorer because of the pearl block fret markers. I mean this guitar is beautiful. I love the cream, yellow color. I think it looks good. Definitely a huge fan of this guitar. Plus I just bought a leather strap and it’s well balanced on my shoulder when I’m playing it standing up so I’m pretty satisfied with it and yes it did require a little bit of work in route, placing some of the cheesy stock default hardware but I’m happy with it.
I asked for this for Christmas to add my collection along with some Kirk Hammett EMG pickups, I was really worried if it was going to be what was bought and this review def relieve some stress. I really wish Gibson would let ESP make these again.
I ordered a LP black beauty and it’s a beast! The issues I had was a broken pup ring and the wood they used for the fretboard is nos completely black, other than that, P4M is a great option
My Greeny is killer after some work. This has big potential, but def didnt come to me great. Considering, all issues are easy fixes and it could be a great player with a few tweaks
Seems like they've changed the pickups (from the previous version)? 🤔 At least these don't have the EMG logo anymore... But are these microphonic or is that issue now fixed?
@@SteveSterlacci Thanx for the reply, Steve! I didn't know u had tried v1? 👀 I accidentally found out about this guitar yesterday whilst browsing the Tubes, but for some reason Bad Cat don't deliver to Finland :( (They do deliver to our neighbour Sweden, lol?)
Ride the Lightening!!!! That's the type of guitar you gotta rock low and headbang with your full body while playing. Dont throw your back out playing that thing!!
They used to have the MX250 version. I finally have the money to get one and I don’t see them on their site anymore. Of course that would happen to me. :/
@@SteveSterlacci the one you have is different from the MX220 they used to sale which was a lot closer to the ESP model it’s based off of. The one you have reminds me exactly of the Explorer kit I have just with different inlays and control layout. I wish they still sold the MX220 style but the one I really want is the MX250 which they don’t sale anymore either.
I had one years ago. I learned you never know about the wood. I totally and I mean totally dismantled it. And found out. I had a 1 pice solid asy body with a 1 piece maple neck. I upgraded wiring, pots, bridge, nut, tuners. Pickups. I'll put it up against anything on the market. But they certainly don't come that way. But the wood itself sometimes you never know what you got under the hood.
Nah I wouldn't want to smack you for playing it clean.... for promoting it when it needs that much work out of the box... probably for saying its great for the money but listing several things wrong with each section you spoke about sure...For saying "Its great for beginners" For that you probably need a serious nut kick. All you reviewers saying these poorly set up hard to play quirky guitars would be great for new players are goofy. The LAST thing a new player needs is an instrument that is hard to play. Even the cheapest of guitars can be set up properly where they are near effortless to play. Why subject anyone let a lone someone new to something they would struggle with. FOR NEW PLAYERS: if you try a guitar and it hurts your fingers at all WALK AWAY find a better one to start with.
Thats really just meaning its a guitar that can last you into your intermediate and advanced playing, which it can be. Nut, tuners and frets can be worked on. That's what I feel about it in the vid. If the wood is good, then I consider it a good one long term. You can't change out crappy wood. Thanks for checking out the vid either way 🤘
500 Likes gets part 2 so sub and like please 🤌🤌🤌
I reckon it sounds pretty good straight out of the box with zero mods, really hoping to see a part 2!
Hope it gets the likes and picks up traction to make it worth it
I’m absolutely sad I didn’t ordered myself one of these, looks badass and I really find the Explorer shape extremely comfortable to play!
I have that exact guitar right now. I just got it a couple of weeks ago. I’m upgrading the pick up to an Seymour Duncan Blackouts active pickup set and 50-11 set should have it back in the next few days, it’s in the shop, but I really love this guitar, same everything, block inlays, cream yellow, and I really love the way it plays 👍, 🤘🎸🤘🎸😎😎
AWESOME! Glad you dig it
@@SteveSterlacci yeah since I put in the Seymour Duncan blackout pickups and I change the strings and I had the guitar set up this guitar sounds a hell of a lot better and it plays way better, but yes, it did need some work, especially with replacing the pickups, and the strings plus a proper setup, but these pickups are very hot, they bleed more juice into the amp to where I have to turn some of the settings down, I love the fact that it bleeds more juice, because it sounds way better and it has added distortion with these new blackout pickups, big fan, I’ve had the EMG 81/60 and 81/85 sets in my guitars in my previous guitars, I’ve had the Seymour Duncan blackouts only once in a previous guitar, that was my 2014 Gibson SGJ and it sounded killer, I went back to Seymour Duncan with my upgrades for this guitar but besides for that, I’m honestly really happy about the way it turned out. I may go back to the EMG pickups eventually but maybe not, we’ll see, I like the Seymour Duncan blackouts right now I love how hot the pickups are, and how aggressive sounding and they have a lot of bite. The way I’m looking at this guitar is the fact that I don’t have the middle finger inlays on the fretboard so I think of this guitar similar to a Gibson Explorer because of the pearl block fret markers. I mean this guitar is beautiful. I love the cream, yellow color. I think it looks good. Definitely a huge fan of this guitar. Plus I just bought a leather strap and it’s well balanced on my shoulder when I’m playing it standing up so I’m pretty satisfied with it and yes it did require a little bit of work in route, placing some of the cheesy stock default hardware but I’m happy with it.
Are the block inlays the new standard? I wanted the “eet fuk” middle fingers :( is this a different model or they changed the inlays? Thanks
I asked for this for Christmas to add my collection along with some Kirk Hammett EMG pickups, I was really worried if it was going to be what was bought and this review def relieve some stress. I really wish Gibson would let ESP make these again.
Very cool! I would dig seeing the mods and upgrades.
Hoping it gets the likes and traction to make it worth the effort
I see they have removed the OMG markings from their pickups 😂 man, if these were available back when I was a teen, I would've been soooo happy
right?! Crazy that this stuff is available, affordable and decent with huge potential
I ordered a LP black beauty and it’s a beast! The issues I had was a broken pup ring and the wood they used for the fretboard is nos completely black, other than that, P4M is a great option
My Greeny is killer after some work. This has big potential, but def didnt come to me great. Considering, all issues are easy fixes and it could be a great player with a few tweaks
Oh man!! That’s an awesome color!!
I'm digging it!
Definitely not a guitar worthy of Steve's playing, but kudos to him for realizing not everyone has budget for big dollar gear. 👍
Yeah, ESP did the copying. I had a Gibson U2 back in the late 80s and it had that same headstock.
Nice!
I almost pulled the trigger on a double neck for $299 with case. Has good video reviews, but I knew it would be too heavy for me to play.
But itll look so cool!
I have quite a few guitars from Jason at badcatinstruments all flawless.
My other one is great!
James hetfield explorer ?
Yep!
Seems like they've changed the pickups (from the previous version)? 🤔 At least these don't have the EMG logo anymore... But are these microphonic or is that issue now fixed?
These didnt seem microphonic to me at all. I really like the upgrades from v1
@@SteveSterlacci Thanx for the reply, Steve! I didn't know u had tried v1? 👀 I accidentally found out about this guitar yesterday whilst browsing the Tubes, but for some reason Bad Cat don't deliver to Finland :( (They do deliver to our neighbour Sweden, lol?)
Sterlacci goes metal!!!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Was bound to happen
Part 2 please!
Great video! How would you say this guitar holds up against a js32 level jackson, around the same price range, I am not sure which to get?
Ride the Lightening!!!! That's the type of guitar you gotta rock low and headbang with your full body while playing. Dont throw your back out playing that thing!!
Absolutely! My back cant handle much these days 😪
A Hamer Explorer is a decent deal with good components.
For sure
Looks cool.
Too heavy for you! trade for your mcpherson
@@SteveSterlacci Lolololololol. No
They used to have the MX250 version. I finally have the money to get one and I don’t see them on their site anymore. Of course that would happen to me. :/
Where are you located? I'll sell you this one
@@SteveSterlacci the one you have is different from the MX220 they used to sale which was a lot closer to the ESP model it’s based off of. The one you have reminds me exactly of the Explorer kit I have just with different inlays and control layout. I wish they still sold the MX220 style but the one I really want is the MX250 which they don’t sale anymore either.
@@SteveSterlacciis this still available?
We’re you able to get it intonated ?
why it doesn't have the middle fingers inlays? i want to buy one actually today but that's a deal breaker :(
No idea... def a bummer
So you can confirm me that you bought the one with the milddle fingers in the picture and came with the squares? :) @@SteveSterlacci
@@ThomasCalvi no. It never had the fingers that I saw
Obtw. Dylan makes some killer pickups you might consider for upgrades.
He'd be my first call!
i cant find the guitar on the webstie
Its a First Act.
🤣🤣🤣
I have been caught
You joke, but First Act had a custom shop for years that made a lot of killer guitars that some big names used.
I had one years ago. I learned you never know about the wood. I totally and I mean totally dismantled it. And found out. I had a 1 pice solid asy body with a 1 piece maple neck. I upgraded wiring, pots, bridge, nut, tuners. Pickups. I'll put it up against anything on the market. But they certainly don't come that way. But the wood itself sometimes you never know what you got under the hood.
@@chucklee347 nice score!
nice review but link for the guitar doesn't work tho.
Interesting. Maybe they pulled it?
I like the dog better!!
My baby!
What was your guess before opening the vid? lol, i guessed Novo. This is much cooler.
I wish it was a novo! Lol
Great for wooly bully watch it now 😮
Did she get you a Kiesel 😂?
I wish!
It looks like a steak....😢
What kinda steak do you eat 😳
Nah I wouldn't want to smack you for playing it clean.... for promoting it when it needs that much work out of the box... probably for saying its great for the money but listing several things wrong with each section you spoke about sure...For saying "Its great for beginners" For that you probably need a serious nut kick.
All you reviewers saying these poorly set up hard to play quirky guitars would be great for new players are goofy. The LAST thing a new player needs is an instrument that is hard to play. Even the cheapest of guitars can be set up properly where they are near effortless to play. Why subject anyone let a lone someone new to something they would struggle with.
FOR NEW PLAYERS: if you try a guitar and it hurts your fingers at all WALK AWAY find a better one to start with.
Thats really just meaning its a guitar that can last you into your intermediate and advanced playing, which it can be. Nut, tuners and frets can be worked on. That's what I feel about it in the vid. If the wood is good, then I consider it a good one long term. You can't change out crappy wood. Thanks for checking out the vid either way 🤘