ESP Guitars Comparison & Demo - Ltd EC401, EC1000 & Eclipse I CTM Custom Shop Model

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👆 Jason Gile from ESP helps us compare 3 different ESP guitars at different price points including the Ltd EC-401, the EC-1000 and the latest Custom model the Eclipse-I CTM.
Check out these pages for more info on the guitars
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[@erolguler2706]

Chair's tone the best i ve heard

[@escuipo]

noise gate pedal for the chair please ha,ha,ha!!!!

[@brentessex]

look how far the quality of the videos have come!

[@kellyp9438]

The chair is by Gibson

[@topfloorstudio2684]

Why did they mic the chair? Shit was louder than dude talking!

[@loungydoc]

Dalton Crabtree lol

[@fc2p]

I recently played the LTD EC-401 Fluence through a fender 410 blues deville, The tone was ridiculously amazing..just sick! This video does not do these guitars justice. For the next video, it would probably be good to get these guitars tuned, as well amp replaced...maybe even the chair too.

[@andertons]

@aishdamn The EC 401 weighs about 11.5lbs. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!

[@gregorywilson3318]

Yeah, feels about right ..love mine though! ☯️

[@bluegraf]

The EC 1000 Ltd is awesome. Very light weight. Narrow slim easy to play neck. 24 jumbo frets. Beautiful finish and sound. Stays in tune well with the locking tuners. Made in Korea. Also available with Floyd Rose and Seymour Duncan pickups or active EMGs.

[@spamnegg.1798]

The tempered nut only alleviates sharpness around the nut to 7-8th fret or 'open chords' are more in tune and sweeter sounding, any fretted notes or bar chords are not changed by the compensated nut.

[@Crazymofoinamajikbox]

I had the opportunity to play both the EC-1000 and the ESP Eclipse and i must say the EC-1000 was much better than the Eclipse it sounded and played better at least to me. and those extra 2 frets are very helpful to me

[@SpaceAceTX]

Looks like your business has quite a history, best of luck in the future, cheers from Texas ! Support your Homegrown American businesses people, we're all in this together . . .

[@andertons]

@superultraguymandude Both have EMG Pickups which, I'm sure you know, are high output so these aren't designed to lightly drive amps. Knocking down the volume control will give you a decent bluesy tone on either guitar (with the right amp) though so I think you'd be just as good with either, as long as you're not looking for an absolutely authentic blues tone. The main differences between the two guitars are the materials and construction rather than the electronics or the playing setup. Andy

[@BruceWillisiscool]

@Dawgoalie2 one of the only differences between the 2 is the 1000 has locking tuners, and the 401 doesnt, and the 1000 generally will have body binding

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

I love the look of the aged binding on the 1000 - wicked cool.

[@markbowden85]

Hey just on making your neck faster go to an autobody supplier and get a thing called a scotch pad. Just tape off where you don't want to scratch, and with the pad your just looking to put a dull or Matt finish on back of neck and don't worry you can always polish it back up no problem to the way it was but it does work really well, sorry for the spelling :p

[@chrismortlock2192]

I agree with you on that they're different, I find the LTD EC100T CTM is better than any gibson I owned purely because of the comfort factor that ESP/LTD come with. The ESP U contour neck feels better to me than any gibson profile I've owned previously. The features of the EC1000T are so close to a les paul custom its just uncanny. A lower end gibson of the same price just can't compare. The quality here is very true and honest. They do something right over there man, that is for sure.

[@donenzoworld-canada9460]

Happy to read this comment as i recently acquire this guitar..i heard it was built as a tank...no regret of trading my other guitar. Thanks and cheers

[@Buddy713]

ec-1000. but if its to much just go with the 401 if you like the feel of it. by the time you get done upgrading a 356 you could have just bought what you wanted and saved yourself from the hassle.

[@OfTheTimeLords]

They have a model of the EC-1000 available with Seymour Duncans 59/JB. I'd consider it, but I have a Cort KX-Custom that has those pickups already. Actives are great for (very) hard rock and metal. Those three guitars don't feel much like a Les Paul. I mean, while the 22 frets and 24,75 scale makes things less comfortable than 24 frets & 25,5 scale, the body is rather lighter than a LP, it's also thinner, and the neck is thinner and made for speed. IF you know what you're after, they are great!

[@andertons]

@BossBurns1935 FM is the Flame Maple top, BK is the Black one. No difference in spec or tone - just colour!

[@andertons]

@GuitarPlayerSkater1 it's apparently a little thicker than a Les Paul so it would depend from case to case. It may fit in a third part case designed for a LP but might not fit in an actual Gibson Les Paul Case (they are often very tightly fitted). Best thing we can say is to get the proper case if you're able and just try it out in a few different third party cases and see which fits best.

[@andertons]

@Dawgoalie2 Only you can decide if it's worth it for you. Try and play them both and see!

[@JackTheBlack1994]

buy the 401 basically same guitar just other mechanics i think an the inlays are not made from the same material

[@al6377]

I never liked the 1000 because of the tacky looks due to the abalone

[@evenzeroescanbeheroes6875]

Then it's a good thing that they've moved away from that in recent years

[@blainhawkins7648]

get the 256 add emg 80 in the bridge 60 in the neck

[@letterpool]

Just ordered an LTD in black flame maple. Build quality seems way better than any of the gibsons I tried in town here. Unless you wanna pay $3000cdn they're crap. For $750 I get emg's and a flame maple top. I'm gonna use the rest of the cash to buy a nice half stack.

[@andertons]

@axeiston Nope - just straight into the ht40 amp. We didn't have the gain that high - I think it was mode one with the gain about two thirds of the way up. Hope that helps.

[@Planet9_music]

Andertons vids have come a long long way

[@Quazi-Moto]

Not digging dude's playing. Doesn't do the EC 1000 justice.

[@daveyboy8907]

quazzie1 he sucks.

[@Quazi-Moto]

Neil Brockett He sure didn't do the best job of showcasing those guitars.

[@daveyboy8907]

quazzie1 I have 2 gibsons and ordered one of these yesterday, the ec1000 deluxe.. I am glad I bought it before watching this I may of changed my mind..lol

[@Quazi-Moto]

Neil Brockett hehehehe I hear ya, man. I've had an EC1000 VB for about 3 months. I love it all around... from sound to feel to the flat black paint job. I think you'll be happy with it. A little heavier than what I'm used to (BC Rich Warlock), but shouldn't be too much for you since you're used to the Gibson

[@xombie0709]

He flew all the way out to play like that... His chair sounded better

[@MaxSavage]

After I bought an EC1000 I found that I didn't like the 24.75" scale but the back of the neck was painted, that I found intolerable. I don't know why, it just felt wrong so I gave it to one of my nephews, hope he likes it. I have an ESP SV Standard, which I can't fault in any way, can't seem to put it down. Love the look of single cuts, just haven't found one that feels really good to play yet [subjective].

[@222Brony]

I went with the 401 fm and I couldn't be happier with it. :)

[@thegodless2904]

Oh man, the fact this footage looks so old makes me sad because that means im getting old.

[@OfTheTimeLords]

It's made in Korea, but (as i pointed out in another comment) the build quality was excellent. Nothing falling off, no scratches, dinks, sloppy painting or bad fretting. For all intents and purposes at least the EC-1000 I got was quality-wise really really close to the Eclipse and sound-wise they were the same (the model with the EMG pickups, not the SD ones).

[@armandapransiska1430]

Love the chair

[@andertons]

@YongYDG The EC-401 has active EMGs and so will definitely be suited to higher gain playing. Go on to the ESP website and check out their list of artists, you'll see most of them are metal players!

[@andertons]

@zezimadude13 I personally think that the gold looks awesome in the flesh, but each to their own! The EC1000 comes with an abalone binding if you buy the "Black" finish (Vintage Black has Gold Binding) I think it's the same story with the eclipse. Black models have a light binding and VB models have Gold lining as standard. We don't carry any plain black Eclipses currently but they are available. It's hard to fault the EC1000 but the build quality and look of the Eclipse is pretty stunning

[@COBWEBOWNZYA]

@Kyosho445 depends what gibson your going for, if its a studio id just go for the ltd. if its a standard its a draw unless your looking for bluesy tones too, if you are then go for the gibson,

[@paulbateman]

True :) I'm looking at one with the duncans for more of a rock vibe

[@OfTheTimeLords]

I have the EC-1000 in Vintage Black after long contemplating with the TransBlack model (which has lots of abalone that I like for). The guitar looks amazing and plays amazingly well. I compared those exact three guitars on the shop and while I could spot some differences (mostly in the feel & build quality of the guitar) between EC-401 and EC-1000, I couldn't spot anything between the Eclipse and the 1000. Don't know if I were lucky and got an awesome EC-1000, but it's still an awesome guitar!

[@schof1212]

I have the EC-401 Floyd Rose and it's good for the price. Switched out the stock ESP pickups for EMG's and am even happier. That's pretty much the only difference between the 401 and 1000.

[@Evilovedoctor]

***** you're right, the ec1000 has a ebony fretboard :O OO such big difference for like 1000 dollars

[@QuantumLeap83]

He works for the company but he doesn't even know his business, unless my guitar is some freak. At 3:05 he says the ec1000 has the aged triple ply binding and my 401 has that. I'm gonna need to look when I get home, but I'm pretty sure it has the other features, too. Not sure, because I've never played it all that much, yet.

[@Masterfighterx]

The video is from 2010, its an older ESP the new ones has 3 knobs (Vol-vol-tone) like the LTDs

[@tomtomthebear]

have the 401 fm...and she is a beauty...!!!

[@JoshDanielGuitar]

@CypherIWT Yes, pretty much. If I remember correctly, I think all ESP guitars are hand-built, too. But don't quote me on that. I have an EC-1000 and love it a lot :D

[@Geekstinkbreath123]

ESP is a guitar company that appeals to metal heads. Also the actives do work well for classic rock

[@ARom16]

I absolutely love my '07 Les Paul, don't get me wrong, but the next high-end guitar I'll invest in will definitely be an ESP Eclipse. There's just no other company makes guitars with the same quality-standards or level of craftsmanship that ESP does (with the possible exception of high-end boutique brands like Suhr).

[@RalphTheSpanker]

i dont know if they still make it but they had an esp eclipse with a sick quilt top and a covered duncan jb and 59 set in gold, and it was just sexy and sounded a million times better

[@1642poltergeist]

These guitars are all great but I suggest to anyone buying these to adjust the intonation as much as they can , it took me a while to get the intonation right on my guitars. But then the sustain/ tunning is awesome and they don´t sound like in this video, they´re awesome guitars but often come with intonation problems. They should be more careful with that at esp /ltd.

[@PikkaBird]

@zezimadude13 They're coming out with a black EC-1000 with white multi-ply binding this year. It's also gone down to 22 frets for a more Paul-esque look, and I believe they upped the thickness too, and it's double bound (front and back).

[@MrPhillipBaxter]

For Japanese guitars check out FGN. They are the largest and most popular guitar manufacturer in Japan. I played on their line at NAMM this year for about 3 hours. Ive never felt better axes and they look great also. A bit pricey but they build top quality. Absolutely no junk. Lots of namers and former ESP players have switched to FGN. Check them out. Check out the forums too. Im switching. They are the best. Honestly, they are flawless.

[@ZipperJNG]

I recently acquired myself a EC 1000 and I simply love it! Only 1 thing about it worries me, I have it lil more than a week now and the gold hardware is already starting to wear off (tarnished). I know that gold hardware wears off over time but after a week of usage allready?? My strap knobs are already back at chrome and the stoptail and locking bridge are following close behind on that.

[@bluegraf]

The ESP EC 256 is also worth looking at. It has great reviews.

[@bradhienzachary]

Love to compare them but I’m in lockdown! Just want a great neck then great tone. Cosmetic unimportant.

[@bluegraf]

The Eclipse is made in Japan. Workmanship is outstanding. Slim neck effortless playing. Playability, sound, wood and finish are top notch. The select wood delivers the best sound of the three models in my opinion. Also available with Floyd Rose and Seymour Duncan pickups or active EMGs.

[@alexcomeau4919]

Idk why this was in my recommended but God I'm loving it

[@thescream1868]

ummm, what exactly is it you are loving about this totally unremarkable video?

[@alexcomeau4919]

@@thescream1868 Nostalgia

[@bendrix92]

the eclpise series is catered more towards heavier style, metal, hard rock, but can also get some awesome blues tunes and regular rock ofc.

[@Panic_1]

They stopped doing the earvana nut on the EC1000 since 2013, I really liked those :(

[@zezimadude13]

2 questions.. first question, can you get the ec 1000 and Eclipse with the white lining instead of gold? The gold looks more yellow than gold is sort of cheesy. Also is there really that much difference between the ec 1000 and Eclipse? 600 dollars of difference?

[@pilot4them2010]

I own 5 ltd model guitars and for the money you can't beat the sound or playability. And some models with just a simple pickup swap gives you a great sounding guitar. Just my opinion.

[@bluegraf]

All three models are amazing Guitars. ESP is a great Company. The EC 400 (Korea) and EC 401 (Indonesia) are excellent starting Guitars. Gibson sound and feel. Little bigger neck.

[@mcmartini]

Is the body of Ltd EC 1000T/CTM wider and heavier than the body of Ltd EC 1000?

[@Anachronis]

How did you manage to get heavy tone from that HT40? I've got one myself and trying out EC1000 in a local store happened to be a massive dissapointment, since I expected EMGs to blow me away and this punch simply was nowhere to be seen :/

[@officialbilursag762]

What is the difference between 1000 and 401 ?

[@jeb0112]

Someone get that guy a new chair!!!!!! I've got the ltd ec1000 deluxe, I have to say it plays amazing, with the locking tuners and thin neck it's a very great playing ax.....

[@ctalbert1]

@AndertonsMusic I really like the EC-1000 and 401 with s-t maple top. Do the much more expensive ESP Eclipse model have a much better tone (hard to tell from this video), or are the upper end LTD's fairly close? Also I like the Floyd Rose model, but does that bridge affect the tone much? And one last question, do you know if they are planning on offering the LTD EC- 1000 floyd rose in an additional color other than black? Thanks!

[@TheMetalHeaD256]

@superultraguymandude either will do, honestly. EMGs + a Marshall = infinite tonal possibilities, IMHO. if you dial the gain WAY down on your clean channel, you'll get a really nice clean tone for chording and everything you'd want. and turn the gain a little bit up, and the pickups will naturally drive the amp. especially an 85 in the neck (though i believe ESPs have a 60... i'll bet both do it, though.) IMO, with EMGs and a good ear and a good amp, you can dial in almost anything if you try.

[@erickrulz]

Yo its J to the R O C 'nam sayin'

[@nemohler]

Can't decide between the 401 and the 1000... If I get the 1000, should I get it in Vintage Black, just for the ebony fingerboard, or go with a finish with a rosewood fingerboard?

[@COBWEBOWNZYA]

@Kyosho445 well the junior has only a P-90 single coil, so metal and high output tones are out of the questiion so the EC-1000, have fun with the new guitar \m/

[@alexisamamarocker]

I've got an EC-1000 and an Eclipse. A question I've always wanted to know from ESP is why do they put the tonepros bridge on the LTD and the Gotoh on the more expensive ESP? I've got tonepros on all my Les Pauls and the tonepros can't be beat. Also your man from ESP forgot to point out the difference in scale length, fret board wood and fret number between the EC and the Eclipse. I'd really love to know about the bridge situation

[@Dawgoalie2]

Im buying a 401 probably or 1000, i need yo know if there is a huge tone or play difference between them? The only thing i see is the 1000's locking bridge. But is it worth $200 more?

[@MrMnchstr]

My EC401VF arrived WITHOUT the Earvana nut. Not sure why.

[@123italiano321]

How much thinner are their necks? I have a really good les paul and my dad has a cheap ass ltd ec-10 but I feel very little to none difference.

[@blackie75]

dear god, why did they send him to play those guitars :(

[@marstorm]

hey im stuck between the ltd ec 401 and the dean dave mustaine zero. wich should i get?

[@paulbateman]

I have the same problem but with ibanez rg's. I'm looking at buying my first ec now. Just don't know whether to go 401 or 1000

[@osamierda]

Do these ESPs have a maple top, contrary to the one mahogany piece of the LTDs? or am I wrong?

[@abandonedbyheroes]

@fightmate - No, two different companies, two different sounds, different guitar line, but similar body styles in some of the models (i.e. Les Paul style body). If you are talking the LTD line VS Epiphone - day and night difference... LTD wins!

[@Kyosho445]

Hi! Thanks for the reviwe but i just want to know either you would choos a Gibson over a LTD EC-401 or EC-1000 or if you would choos LTD over Gibson. I'm in that situation when i have to choos between the two of them so it would be nice to get some help from someone how knows. Thanks.

[@DropdaLTDtoB]

I'm going to buy an EC1000 sometime in the new year. Is the Traditional ec1000 better than the standard ec1000? I guess i don't really care about how thick the body is, More the tone i want to be better, though i am still interested to know how much of a difference the body thickness really makes. :)

[@unleashthebattery]

Why is everyone bothered about a stupid chair when all the guitars are not tuned properly? Does that not come into anyones minds?! P.S I have the eclipse and it is phenomenal. This video doesn't do justice!

[@Olivere118]

Agreed. So do i. I have the ESP Eclipse I-CTM GBK :-) Woonderful guitar! couldn't stress that enough :D

[@GuitarmanIeuan]

@ESPHorizonEngl People usually pay for the name. I mean, there is a slight difference in the quality of woods and they are built in Japan, not Korea or Indonesia like the LTD's so may be built a tad better. That's why there is a big price difference because the workers in Japanese factory's are paid more.

[@WaRtOrN3596]

they do and its amazing

[@Kyosho445]

@COBWEBOWNZYA Thanks man. But i'm going for a junior or the EC-1000 so what about that? Thanks.

[@dylandtime]

good video guys

[@tiagotigasmarinho]

I'm thinkin about getting the LTD EC-401 or buying the EC-256 and upgrade it with Seymour Duncan Blackouts or with the EMG's. What do you recommend?

[@KorruptedCell]

Question, I am thinking about investing on a gib USA les, but the ec1k is a sexy guitar, my selling point is - is the ec1k's made in the USA or is it outsourced?

[@sxc5rhcp]

@superultraguymandude I'll recommend you to get the EC 1000 Sunburst. The Sunburst comes with Seymour Duncans and you can play anything from blues to heavy metal. Is a very versatile guitar beleive me I have it :)

[@petersain746]

which do you prefer better for the price the 1000 or the 401?

[@SonicGamer1991]

Isnt there a model with a Floyd Rose as Well?

[@THEPUNCHPIT]

THAT CHAIR 😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫

[@Olivere118]

Actually the ESP Eclipse I CTM is higher quality of materials and are build better than Gibson Les Pauls if you ask me.

[@hellsSG]

This guy really works for esp, demoing their stuff? He plays like a beginner metalhead.

[@MegaDarth666]

I have a question. Is the ESP Eclipse darker than the ESP/LTD ec-1000 or is it pretty much the same?

[@arniejerome12]

That cracking chair sound.

[@JustinCarlinhos]

@keysyrock i'm thinking about to buy one of these, can you tell me what he's trying to hide?

[@MrBastageicehole]

may i ask can the ec 1000 range stand alot of drop tuning maybe from bullet to pantera to metallica stuff i like it all will the ec 1000 cope with this ?

[@GuitarPlayerSkater1]

I have a question, could i use my Les Paul case for the EC-401? obviously the shape is similar, but im not sure if its the same dimensions or not.

[@gauravharchwani]

you really need to change that chair -_-

[@R.R.R.465]

Vol vol master tone or master vol tone tone?

[@TheUderfrykte]

Is there even a point in comparing axes with EMG in them?

[@TechTipIL]

Unplug the chair amp cable please

[@leo3k]

Wait, at 5:18 it shows that it has 4 knobs (2 tone 2 volume i presume), How come the U.S. ones don't have that..