ESP Guitars: Josh Middleton (Architects/Sylosis) Interview

SPECS & DETAILS ON THE LTD JM-II: www.espguitars...
ESP Signature artist Josh Middleton, the highly-respected guitarist from UK-based metal bands Architects and Sylosis, spoke to us extensively about his LTD Signature Series JM-II guitar. Get all the intricate details of the design process straight from Josh!

[@pafa92]

Good thing he plays guitar, because he can play the bass lines with his voice.

[@dirktucker77]

Have one! Love it. One of the Best looking guitars out there.

[@Dustinchugs]

This guitar acquires maidens!

[@foreverSylosis777]

I bought one , the best guitar I’ve ever owned , the quality is basically an E-II , and bolt-on is really good

[@luckyspook8407]

Josh is amazing, his Kemper profiles are fire, best I have come across.

[@necroticpoison]

One of if not the best signature guitar for metal imo

[@karterestill]

You should check out the Keith Merrow Schecter models

[@Nibblerr]

@@karterestill or literally any other signature model ever made

[@thomassaunderson2746]

I bought one of these a couple of months ago. I absolutely love it. Great tone; very, very playable. The neck is perfect - feels the same as my PRS pattern thin. The Fishman pickups are just awesome - a palpable pumping/compressed sensation. So much guitar for the money. It looks the absolute nuts as well.

[@BerserkEDC]

Did you keep the plastic nut by chance? Or did you switch it out?

[@thomassaunderson2746]

@@BerserkEDC kept the plastic nut - seems fine.

[@andrewbecker3700]

The specs on these new LTDs are some of the absolute best out there right now. I've bought 2 te1000 series models recently and both are outstanding. Can't recommend them enuff.

[@sc7244]

Debating on this or the M1000HT

[@andrewbecker3700]

@@sc7244 I'm not into tremolo units and generally buy only hardtails. Most metal oriented guitars tend to have one and so it really limits the options of some brands. Thankfully LTD builds such a wide variety of styles that if you prefer hardtails like me there's still some kick ass models to appease us old school guys. I'm sit'n on a pearl white '87 Eclipse NT and a even newer te1000 black blast. I've modded both quite a bit already but the pickups are obviously great in both. $1000 bucks can get you a badass platform to work with.

[@Sanjeet_1810]

We want an episode with Michael Paget of Bullet for my valentine now. Please, that would make a great one

[@xxxxx7876]

I have this guitar and it f*cking rips!!! Love it!!! 🤘😎👍🎸

[@failuretocommunicate4976]

Does the battery last long with the fishman’s?

[@xxxxx7876]

@@failuretocommunicate4976 Yes, if you remember to unplug the amp cable from the guitars input jack when you are done playing for the day.

[@failuretocommunicate4976]

@@xxxxx7876 lol yeah I’ve got emg’s in a Ltd so I learnt that lesson a while back. But that’s good I figured the fishman’s used a bit more power than the emgs, just wasn’t sure if they would drain the 9volt real fast or not. So that’s good to know thanks for the info. 🤘

[@QuincyKane]

Josh is amazing, and that seems like a perfect guitar for heavy music!

[@rwdyrory86]

I purchased one a couple weeks back, awesome piece! Plays just as good as my EII and the sound is fantastic! Very well put together guitar!

[@markladendorff4904]

Next to the Javier Reyes signature line these are my fav LTD signatures. They are super nice

[@Dustinchugs]

I wonder what strings he's using for the Architects tuning, I have a D'addario 12 set with a low 68 on my JM2 and it sounds and feels great!

[@Highrollinhunter]

Sylosis plays in E standard which is surprising I play in E standard 446hz on a Jackson Dinky I'm trying to get a ESP Eclipse one of these days because of James Hetfield.

[@jaxn13]

If only this had a Floyd. I’d grab it so quick. Only signature model I could see myself buying.

[@warpig2786]

i think tone comes from the speakers and pickups, not from the wood... could be wrong though. love sylosis, i have a few old ones, dormant heart is my favourite, Josh is an amazing player, singer, i even got the tabs for Dormant Heart through Sheet Happens lol :D

[@davidlvna]

He really likes Arise by Sepultura, it seems.

[@liammcknight3845]

Beautiful guitar but shitty bolt on. I personally hate bolt ons. They are chunky, feel cheap and upper frett access sucks.

[@espguitarsusa]

It was very important to Josh to have a bolt-on for his signature guitar. He explains why in this very video. If you want a neck-thru M Series guitar, we have those too.

[@Galeus708]

Josh pulls off insane upper fret wizardry on this guitar at every show. Sounds like a skill issue on your part.

[@liammcknight3845]

@@Galeus708 It is not a skill issue, I just do not like them. I personally hate them and that is my opinion. I love shredding on my neck through Vs

[@sc7244]

I wish The Architects would release a guitar tablature book

[@gravelrocks5588]

What gauge strings did you use in G sharp tuning and what do you use now thanks

[@benjipc5637]

According to a tweet from D'Addario, Josh used an 11-56 set with a 70 replacing the stock sixth string for the recording of the last Architects album.

[@Dustinchugs]

@@benjipc5637 I've also since heard he went back down to a .68, seemed to be the perfect balance of tautness and tone I guess. Interesting that it's only an 11 set!

[@markgalvezkorff9854]

Goed goed!

[@kevinblakemore6445]

I’m going to need you play on my new band. With Dean lamb I’ll hit you up

[@blackspine343]

Thanks for cancelling your show in Minneapolis after a year of stringing us along. New Architects is trash by the way.

[@MaestroJericho]

Haha it sounds like a poor copy of Linkin Park, hell even Linkin Park had more creative riffs than that.