ESP Guitars Lawsuit Dismissed

[@cancelbubble6535]

I used to work for an agency that dealt with big law firms. At one point, we had the largest law firm in the world as a client. I'll never forget being in one particular meeting where business had wrapped and we were talking casually about the business of law. I was told - and this is an exact quote, I remember it to this day because it made such an impact on me - "sometimes the point of a lawsuit isn't to win, it's to get the other son of a bitch to spend all his money."

[@madislandguy]

That sounds like every bitter divorce, too.

[@TomJakobW]

This is not some occult knowledge but an open secret. The US legal system especially lends itself handsomely to this… “strategy”. May these fckers all celebrate a nice big meetup party in hell…

[@ianboylan1981]

Sad but it's definitely true, especially among huge companies. Monsanto is probably the most egregious example of this to small farmers.

[@infrasound]

that's how Hulk Hogan beat Gawker, he was bankrolled by someone with more 0's in the bank.

[@ROCK-vl5yw]

Your law client was this big law firm yeah that makes no sense

[@Sonic-sh2vh]

KDH, you have a career in journalism if the guitar thing doesn’t work out . Great work, fair, thorough and well presented.

[@Aloha_Snackbar_Everybody]

@@CoachJamesWarrenJones That would make it every bit as good as the pseudo journalism we’re treated to today. KDH just needs a degree in communications or whatever other garbage that makes it look like you’re thorough and trustworthy. 😁 Fake news baby!

[@Dirge4july]

Says who? You know places hiring youtubers to be a journalist?

[@heggy_69]

​​@@Dirge4julyhave you seen who they ARE hiring? KDH seems overqualified lol

[@imjustadrummer]

@richardharrold9736 and it's a sad state of affairs that folks would call that"journalism" because it isn't.

[@kattmazi1934]

A googler = journalism. Gotchya, champ

[@JD-vj4go]

If I stopped doing business with every company that does something unethical or even completely evil I'd have to live in a cave and eat bugs. But not for very long because some corporation owns the cave and will kick me out when they notice me.

[@zeusapollo8688]

Charge you for the bugs and O2 too

[@austinfaulkner5364]

then sue you for breach of contract

[@JD-vj4go]

@timothymartin2137 This might be the silliest keyboard warrior comment I've ever seen. Let me see you power punch Nestle and make things right with the world.

[@JD-vj4go]

@@austinfaulkner5364 Literally the video is about a guy who tried to fight back with a breach of contract lawsuit and was financially curb stomped by a big corporation and the legal system.

[@timnimigean8971]

Late stage capitalism baby

[@sole__doubt]

So ESP is treating a match where the fighter throws in the towel as a knock out. Thats not cool at all.

[@Rex-golf_player810]

Honestly to me its more like ESP has a fuckin 100 kilogram weight advantage and is pretending that it was a fair fight

[@sole__doubt]

@@Rex-golf_player810 well said

[@Nosferdamus]

sometimes the point of a trial is not to win, but to make the other person give up or become broke. as well, getting a legal case such as this dismissed where ESP would surely lose on the merits of the contract alone, would be considered a win from their perspective. then again, it depends on the type of dismissal. some dismissals just mean "this judge will not go forward but you can re-open trial in another county."

[@tonyhill1141]

ESP needed that case transferred not just for fact the other party couldn’t afford battling in California but because Midwest laws are much more friendly toward small business.

[@Taxevader-gk9ms]

to think their biggest signed artist made a song called And Justice For All

[@joehernandez945]

​@@Taxevader-gk9msThe song itself pretty much outlines the miscarriage of justice, so yeah it's no surprise that it fits the scenario.

[@ltgray2780]

Halls of justice, painted green.

[@fleetwarrior75]

The irony is James and Kirk are both playing ESP’s in the One video!

[@JaysWave75]

ESP LTD is their own thing. it's difficult and expensive to get one.

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

Money talking.

[@davidmcglone409]

@@JaysWave75 I have 3

[@OonaEskeli]

"Like your guitars but hate you as a company". I agree 100% with this comment given by someone on ESP's Instagram page. Definitely not a good look.

[@SlapMyBass3825]

My opinion of Schecter.

[@vrkhel]

@@SlapMyBass3825I’m curious, what is the problem with Schecter? I’d like to know before I pull the trigger and spend my money hahaha

[@larzblast]

​@vrkhel Pretty sure ESP owns Schecter. That's all I need to know.

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

@@larzblast Same owner, but different companies. So... Kind of? lol

[@taxo]

​@@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342 na, same owner but except some designs the two brands have nothing in common. Just look at their guitars

[@AndiPicker]

I'd love to know how much ESP spent on legal vs what Chondro would have accepted as a reasonable commission for its sales !?!

[@Highrollinhunter]

ESP being jerks is another reason just to buy an Ibanez guitar for me

[@freereinvoltaic]

ESP: Extraordinarily Sh-ty People

[@proudbrogressive315]

For real. They're much cheaper and their quality is fantastic. Even the low end budget models are decent.

[@Highrollinhunter]

@@proudbrogressive315 Ibanez guitars have sick finishes for cheaper too they look like a million bucks every ESP LTD I see is always black when every Ibanez I see has so much vibrant and expressive colors

[@Taxevader-gk9ms]

and the winner of the court case is ESP's biggest competitors Solar and Ibanez

[@GuitarIv69]

@@Taxevader-gk9ms Dude, Schecter is owned by ESP 😂

[@robbirose7032]

Mate, you are gonna no doubt hit 100k very soon. I just wanna say congratulations. You really deserve it.

[@GoneTo11]

I expect there was a choice of law/forum clause in their agreement, which is why it would be moved. That is very common. It is also very common for an agreement of this nature to heavily favour the supplier - and likely have termination for convenience provisions and comprehensive limitation and exclusion of liability provisions in favour of the supplier. I expect it would be a hard one for the dealer to win - even if that would appear to be the "fair" outcome.

[@rollingslothmachine3431]

What toxic business practices from ESP. Their first decision that sparked this whole affair was bad enough. But forcing the case to LA (which is simply unfair when the smaller party is forced by the *judge* to continue the case outside of their own state, so bigger bill for less wealthy party), dragging things out and then posting this arrogant, mocking and false statement is just down in the gutter practices. I liked ESP since my first non budget guitar, that was a Ltd EC 600. But after this debacle, I will make sure to never buy from them again. Thank you for this video and keeping us updated on the case.

[@K707OR30]

Exactly. I really don’t get why they started this whole thing in the first place. What the hell was the problem with fulfilling previously existing orders from Chondro. Like seriously, what did they have to lose? Build guitars that were already effectively purchased, profit from them and just have an amicable farewell with Chondro at that point. Or even continue a business relationship with Chondro, they just wouldn’t have a storefront. I seriously don’t see what they had to lose here, they just up and shit all over Chondro for no reason then suggested other dealers who didn’t have a horse in the race, reap the benefits of the work Chondro had done already. In any case, especially with this BS statement they’ve released, they’ve ensured at least one person (me) will never buy their products or Engl/Takamine or any future associated companies. Doesn’t look like I’m the only one either. A lot of guitar gear companies rub me the wrong way with overpriced products, but ESP handled this one so badly. They started it for no reason, screwed over Chondro, and then misrepresent what actually happened on the case with this victory lap post on social media. Scum.

[@WintermintP]

Yea, I wouldn't have been so eager to throw them under the bus myself if they at least made their Josh Travis 9-string guitar commercially available for people.

[@shelbyavant5081]

​@@K707OR30You keep saying "for no reason". You don't know all the details, including the years of events that led up to this.

[@K707OR30]

@@shelbyavant5081neither do you and if you do, please feel free to enlighten us! The case is over, so no issues there right? All we have is what we’ve seen from both sides, so taking that at face value - from what I can see ESP look like a bunch of assholes on this one. Particularly with their misleading social media posts about it.

[@barryb90]

I've a number of ESPs and LTDs. I'm a major fan of the company since Metallica introduced them to me many moons ago. It's sad to see them create a potential PR disaster for themselves. I don't think this shows them in a good light.

[@michael1]

I've smashed up all my ESP guitars (except one) and burned them in the garden, and so has my wife. So there. (edit : I had a few people ask how many guitars this was, I owned one ESP guitar which is the one I've kept. The others? All gone. My wife has no guitars)

[@fluffytoaster427]

@@michael1 You're either unhinged or full of shit my guy.

[@robotman5105]

@@michael1that’s kind of a stupid ass way to protest. It’s like destroying your car to protest a car company, except they lose dick diddly nothing. Because you already paid for their product so you’re losing something you paid for and you’re not getting any type of compensation since now you can’t sell those on the used market.

[@Taxevader-gk9ms]

unfortunately there is no justice for all

[@IcanhearClemFandango]

This is actually pretty on brand with Metallica

[@taimaishu-nao1922]

Maybe this is why ESP Japan isn’t the same ESP in California… They could’ve been more civil handling the decision by Chondro to cease the case but chose to be snarky.

[@ChubToneGuitars]

You’re the only real journalist on any platform to report this👏🏻 the video you did on Ed Roman proves my point😉Keep up the good work!

[@eliotmccann2589]

That's American "justice" for you.

[@samright4661]

@@eliotmccann2589 No that’s a Japanese company showing its true colors, greedy

[@Uygkuyfkutfkytfkutfv]

More great work from you KDH. Thank you. 🙏

[@GuitarQuackery]

This is precisely the type of content that I enjoy most on your channel.

[@dewey7330]

The bigger problem here is the U.S courts are horrible,but Most people don’t realize that until they’re in the courts. Cheers

[@Allie-w1l]

Canadian, too. If you can't afford to fight a long fight, you lose, regardless of your case's merit.

[@NunYa953]

I own several ESP custom shop guitars. I can say they have become extremely difficult to deal with the last 2 years.

[@taxo]

Mh? Explain. You don't order their CS models from dealers?

[@dragannestorovic01]

I appreciate the update! Thanks KDH!

[@TIZ1629]

KDH, re- future in journalism. Yes you have skills in this, not just music , inform us whats going on in the laws being imposed on your freedom/ prices and such in your side of the world. Thank U for all U do!

[@JasonMarshMusic]

Thanks for the vid. I live in Japan, and have been to their main retail store in Tokyo. The sales clerks there are not my cup of tea. I was looking for a six string bass. A clerk, who spoke English, came up to me and asked in a terse voice "What do you want?" I told him what I was looking for and he pointed to the one six string in the shop which was over nine grand US. He then said "We have one here. It's made in Japan. Very high quality." I won't be going there anymore.

[@jeremyp8501]

After watching this case I don't think I would ever buy another ESP guitar. It's pretty obvious that they fucked this guy over and then got the case dismissed by forcing him out financially. With all the amazing options for shred machines, why would I give my money to corporate assholes like this?! If I was going to spend big money I would be far more likely to give my money to Skervesen, or Aristides or any of the dozens of killer builders out there that have proven time and again that they love and respect our community.

[@sole__doubt]

What kind of guitar is that green super strat with the 3+3 headstock?

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

It's a Vola Oz Keene Machine.

[@sole__doubt]

@@AWMJoeyjoejoe Thank you Im going to check them out now.

[@KDH]

It’s a Vola, here’s a video I made about it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJSZqpxpgsqra7csi=mM6TuDvHuu_LlA8_

[@sole__doubt]

@@KDH Oh thanks I love it especially in that green color.

[@GianniMarricco]

So that humble businessman got screwed over by a big company.

[@travisspaulding2222]

He was closing his business. So basically he wanted the commission with none of the responsibility. He wanted to shift that responsibility to another dealer who got no commission.

[@stug5041]

I think it’s not black and white - he closed his store front, but believed he could still service the customers, they did not share this belief. Likely could’ve settled.

[@SlaughteredDecay]

Pretty much.

[@travisspaulding2222]

@@stug5041 What do you mean settled? ESP works with dealers not individuals. ESP lost confidence in him being able to offer the support required of dealers. The storefront is closed and the business phone has been disconnected. So, what are the logistics? ESP sends him the guitar, and he calls the customer to meet him in a Walmart parking lot? That's not how ESP does business. What happens when a pot or a pickup, likely not manufactured by ESP goes bad? The consumer has to go to another dealer that got none of the commission? I don't think ESP ever intended to settle this case. He believed he could run a storefront and failed. What makes anyone think he can fill these orders and provide support?

[@samright4661]

@@travisspaulding2222You sound like a company man! ESP should honor the deal he did all the work

[@100DollarHeadache]

ESP seems to be using the Cartmanland business model of "You can't have it", between rebranding the Standard Series to E-II ten years ago and now this.

[@pavelm9078]

Thanks for the video. Consider posting a video edplaining the details of the Gibson - ESP lawsuit regarding Explorer shape. For example, how exactly Gibson did manage to stop ESP producing and selling Explorer-like shaped guitars (except Navigator; and why Navigator is an exception?) even in Japan?

[@thefrogger6507]

tl;dr, man can't afford to sue big company, big company pretends to have a moral highground

[@kurtmoore.adversary]

I really love your channel. Hope it lives on for years to come

[@Carnstein]

IDK why so many people feel confident rendering judgement based on the limited information available to the public. That being said, I once worked for a guitar manufacturer, and I would expect that likely when he closed the retail store front it voided his dealer contract. Chondro guy was the one that sued ESP right? Regardless of contract it seems like a poor choice given the budget and legal muscle behind a mid-sized corporation and the costs compared to the commission he would have gained from fulfilling the orders. I agree the victory announcement is a poor look for ESP, but they probably feel like they have to declare victory given how they were made out to be the villain initially. This whole situation seems like a net negative for everyone involved IMO. Moving the lawsuit to the state where the defendant in a civil case is incorporated is pretty normal and should have been anticipated.

[@Chris_Lohmann]

ESP’s statement is not unlike me saying, “I had some questionable chicken fried rice for dinner last night and had a ‘solid victory’ in the toilet this morning.” Hey ESP, you can polish a turd as much as you want, but, at the end of the day, it’s still a turd.

[@WintermintP]

I saw the comments on the Insta post and the people there are actually bashing ESP directly, calling the latter scumbags for gloating about how a shafted dealer was unable to follow through with the lawsuit and rubbing it on Chondro's faces.

[@modistea]

Spot on analysis. The only “victory” was on the question of jurisdiction and venue. There was no ruling on the merits of either side’s claim, so there was no victory - or loss - in the suit.

[@TheWinterwraith]

For clarity, I assume we’re talking about ESP USA here, which is based in California rather than the parent company in Japan?

[@matthewcyahoo]

This is standard operating procedure for big companies. Relocate the case to where the plaintiff can't afford to fight it, then drag it out, if you lose, just don't pay and keep dragging it until you bankrupt them.. You can't sue big companies unless you have the public sentiment behind you... Start a boycott with ESP and you will see them pay out and make this go away. No leverage and they will just grind you and when you walk away they will trash you reputation..

[@HarleySLA]

We sufficiently screwed this guy over and made him waste 100 grand. There, fixed that for you guys 👍 hope you feel good about all you've done. Seriously though, just why. I feel this situation could have been worked out like adults, but big business rarely works that way. The 'victory' statement was what really did me in, it just feels.....gross. I dunno, the world is in flames anyway, this is just par for the course at this point.

[@chaipup7045]

I'm running out of guitar brands to buy from!

[@Emperor_x8]

yeah have you thought about learning to build them your self

[@SlapMyBass3825]

Independent luthiers. I have a custom build from a local guy and it only took 3 months complete at a fraction of the price of a big name

[@michaelr.4878]

​@SlapMyBass3825 - You got lucky with such a short wait time. I had a custom guitar made by an independent luthier because I'm a lefty and the guitar I wanted hadn't been made for about a 50 years (a mosrite ventures 2..slab body)..and this guy had a real mosrite ventures 2 for reference...and I had to wait almost 2 years! The wait time sucked..and then I got the guitar, I hated it.

[@proudbrogressive315]

It really depends on what you define a "fraction of the prize". Boutique instruments can go way above 3k.

[@chaipup7045]

@@Emperor_x8have you thought about night school?

[@magnolia972]

So we will find out if it is still a win for ESP in near future……the buyers decide!

[@lobsterthepigeon8349]

I'd agree with you, but most buyers don't know about this or care at all.

[@WillCMAG]

ESP should call themselves DIG. Dissociative Identity Guitars. Are they Edward’s, LTD, ESP, Navigator, Grassroots or E-II?

[@garethbarlow5278]

Loving your work KDH! Cheers mate!

[@SlapMyBass3825]

Had to come straight here after hearing the news.

[@tonycarel1785]

KHD thanks for the update. Been following this case since you reported it. It's not a win for ESP!! I will effectively immediately discontinue my support for ESP in any and every way necessary!!

[@gitarmats]

Very justice. Such fair. Wow.

[@Nosferdamus]

It's actually normal to not hear anything about a court case until after it has been dismissed or settled, because they usually don't allow either side TO talk about the case until that point, and all reporting on a court trial is done by third party audience members only (unless the judge allows some information to be shared with the public, or the information is already public knowledge).

[@jamiereilly-ty7tt]

Where is glen we need both you guys, goes down a treat...all the best bro..

[@MrTekbow]

There was probably a clause in the contract that stated what jurisdiction applied for contract disputes. Given they're based in California and given its their product..?

[@DeathPenny]

I’m not sure that the change in venue would have favored ESP because of ad differing of laws - it sounded like this was a federal case because it was interstate commerce which I would assume Federal not state laws would apply - but ESP may have felt the judge hearing the case may be more favorable to their case or the added expense of travel for lawyers to California or retaining a California local attorney would have been prohibitively expensive. Just a thought I am not an attorney but I know there is definitely differences in federal court vs state court.

[@mickenilsson]

Weird of ESP to be happy that a lot of customers doesn't get their ESP guitars... Very weird. It kinda sets the bar of their priorities.

[@johnDBoone]

Most contracts like that have requirements agreed to in advance for disagreements between the parties. Usually parties agree to go to arbitration before going to court for suit and my guess is they stated that any litigation would be done in the state of California. If that was the case then it would be difficult for the judge to not grant the motion for venue change. Certainly not a lawyer but I have signed more than a few similar types of contracts with manufacturers. They all favored the manufacturer.

[@Owned1x89]

i thought once his business closed the esp contract was voided?

[@chriswareham]

If my understanding is correct, the business is still a legal entity but they closed the physical store. They were keeping the business as a legal entity while they fulfilled the remaining orders such as the ESP custom shop ones. ESP decided to cancel all the orders instead, hence the lawsuit from Chandros. I wonder if ESP were simply trying to use the opportunity to clear up some of the backlog of custom orders...

[@petermustangch.6348]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't recall even Gibson doing something this low, (recently anyways). Most of their lawsuits have been against other manufacturers. This is lower than the Dean attacking a customer incident. That was only one customer getting Instagram photos removed. This is all of Chondro's ESP customers and several thousand dollars in active guitar deals being effected.

[@natearchuleta2003]

100k here we come. This wasn't even a story I knew or cared about. But now I do.

[@ProjectVex-x6j]

Getting back into playing after several years now and looking at my small collection of old Ibanez, Jacksons, and Epiphones I thought I might soon try to add something new to the family from ESP LTD... My decision is now that I'll be doing more work to get my old guitars in shape and not support a soulless corporation.

[@williamheitl8941]

I’ve been to the shop in question. I lived close enough to drive over but it wasn’t my local shop. It’s sad to see a local business screwed over, and sad to see a company you like be dishonest. There are no winners here, but at least I can avoid buying an ESP now. They could have said nothing and kept customers, but they chose to post and upset their customers and future customers.

[@V3racious]

I was actually looking to pickup a custom Eclipse...I think I'll pass for now

[@ZomPaul2113]

There's always kiesel/carvin... I grabbed a ltd b-5 for my first bass roughly 6mo ago wasn't aware of this case.. I mean doubt the case then would of effected my buy but now mayhaps.

[@samuelging3974]

If you want a custom single cut, go for balaguer. They have great stuff and are actually pretty well priced!

[@Furiora]

@@ZomPaul2113 Yeah, go to Jeff, because he's never insulted his customers and been exposed for it. He's just out there being a man 💪

[@ZomPaul2113]

@@Furiora he's got good products tho you'll have to be more specific vs a mega Corp you're dealing w the main guy and imo I prefer a curt honest dude vs a fake PR face but idk the full particulars

[@Furiora]

@@ZomPaul2113 Then allow me to put it bluntly: Jeff doesn't want customers, he wants a cult. You say anything bad about his guitars, including VALID critisim like pointing out the guitar has stud lean? banned! no more ordering, no more customer support. ESP may have an awful PR team, but at least their luthiers actually give a fuck.

[@larryjeffryes6168]

I’ve been shopping for an LP. I WAS leaning toward ESP, they have voluntarily removed themselves from the list. Things like this make decisions so much easier. I’ve been beaten by money and “wording” when innocent and have ZERO tolerance for the same happening to others no matter the stakes. I hope ESP folds entirely if they don’t Voluntarily make this right in MY EYES. Let honest people take their place in the biz - I’m not a lawyer but not an ESP customer either. Decision FINAL!

[@bryanvaughn80]

i was just cruising the 'gram and it would seem esp has taken down the aforementioned post...gee, i wonder why...

[@Marqk-]

Wouldn’t buy esp, if they go back on a dealer agreement why wouldn’t they go back on a warranty ,

[@BaBaBaBenny]

"I'm not sure why any other youtubers haven't talked about this..." I'd imagine they're not too keen about burning (or pre-emptively burning) a bridge with a company who could send them free gear for reviews...

[@bfrancis9898]

The customers must’ve been shocked to be caught in the middle.

[@Luthiart]

Liberty and justice for all... who can afford it.

[@GuitarInstinct]

battle of who has the deep pockets.. justice fell off the truck a long time ago 😞

[@Luthiart]

@@GuitarInstinct Yep.

[@signal_rr]

Im wondering if those customers that went through the custom shop process with chondro was able to get their orders processed and not kicked back.

[@shelbyavant5081]

It's been made very clear multiple times that they will not lose their place in line or see a price increase. Literally has no effect on the customer experience.

[@signal_rr]

​​@@shelbyavant5081 Multiple times? Where?

[@shelbyavant5081]

@@signal_rr At 3:13 and 3:15 of this very video, for starters.

[@ParsoJr]

This is also an issue with patent lawsuits. You can have a clear and obvious patent infringement, but unless your pockets are as deep as those doing the infringing, you can’t challenge and protect your patent in court. Lawyers will just defer and defer until the little guy can’t afford to continue on.

[@michaelgallegos8811]

Thats a nice studio u have there

[@nckhed]

​@@ryancapewell6504 Maybe you should, weirdo.

[@weswheel4834]

It looked a bit like the next line was going to be, "...would be a shame for anything to happen to it."

[@drifter61]

Dude I’m low key jealous of your Vola guitars especially the Michael Keene one and the 7 string, I can’t afford those damn things at all :(

[@blakeoms]

Randall did the best thing anyone could have done, he could have just let it go right away and tell his customers shit out of luck, but he honored them which is extremely rare in today's industry where everyone is after a quick cheap buck. I'm on Chondro guitars all the way.

[@WalterStoermer]

ESP wanted a possible appeal to the 9th circuit (the 9th circuit has a history of crazy rulings and going against the will of the people.).

[@gxtx6037]

I worked for ESP, they thrive on shady business practices, be it inside the company to their own workers or other businesses and people.

[@vishyoutubevideos]

Only been a year. Feels like that was 3-4 years ago.

[@michaelgallegos8811]

Woah i remember when u posted video on this 😳

[@ZomPaul2113]

Well this sucks... i picked up a b-5 ltd about 6mo back for my first bass.. not sure if the case at that time woulda effected my buy but now i woulda had some reservations.. tis a good bass tho at least

[@carlthomas99]

"send lawyers guns and money"

[@TedintheShed]

ESP simply had a bigger pocketbook. I'll never buy an ESP again, nor will I ever buy from a dealer that sells new ESP guitars. This goes for your endorsed artists as well.

[@darenwalker2517]

Having followed the Chondro facebook group for a good while, the story has some hidden drama to it. lot of speculation that another high end shop that had beef with Chondro helped orchestrate this with ESP after being kicked from a group (sniping sales by PMing customers in the Chondro group). They were also seen posting a lot in ESPs favor on posts related to ESP ending the contract. Afterall they would stand to gain from this if they scooped up some of the orders themselves.

[@Dudldom]

I think what you're doing on this channel is great. You are not calling for a "boycot" or anything or try to cancel anyone. You simply present the facts and you give your personal opinion which you always clearly label as such. If someone is super happy with ESP, has made nothing but great experiences with them and will continue to buy their stuff. Great, all power to that player. Whatever makes anyone happy. But for those searching for the name ESP THIS is valuable information that one can, if he wants to, consider in his decision to spend a lot of money on guitars. For me this is all the more proof that what we need are small builders that keep the craft alive and have a personal connection to their customer. For ESP it seems even a many year long great business relationship doesn't count shit when it counts.

[@antonipeters2333]

I really like ESP guitars and own several. But I will never buy another one based on this news.

[@scottdunn2178]

Were many of these custom ordered guitars currently being built? I can't imagine ESP just abandoning a half finished guitar. And are these people given refunds on their order? WTF.

[@DasOmen02]

What a scummy company! I guess I know where not to put my money 🖕 Greatly done video. I agree with the comment someone posted about you having a gift for journalism; I always enjoy watching your videos about guitar news

[@Highrollinhunter]

ESP and Metallica are both scummy I remember Madonna almost got an ESP signature guitar. ESP and the artists who play their guitars are scummy I always wanted an ESP because of James Hetfield but now they can go screw themselves because Ibanez is better and now the news that the explorer trademark ended that means the destroyer is coming back

[@DasOmen02]

@@Highrollinhunter What happened with Madonna not getting a signature? And tbh I also haven't heard much about Metallica being scummy, though I don't really pay much attention so I dunno. And yeah I'm personally a fan of Ibanez too, hoping to see some old body shapes come back soon 🙏

[@Rondoggy67]

With the case being moved, Chondro would have had to get a new law firm in California that would have started work on the case from scratch. That would leave Chondro massively out of pocket. I feel very sorry for them, because they seemed to have a good case.

[@dalitjones9135]

I have a toxic relationship with my LTD Strat. It's reliced which I hate. Worse, it's that Strat body black to brown pattern of "wear" everyone uses! I got it on trade. It was upgraded. I dumped more money into it. Thought I'd paint it before I thought about the fake relic shit on the neck. Replace the neck too? LOL It's a good guitar but it's ugly. And now I can't stand to play it unless it's decked. I put years into trying to make a six screw bridge work before I gave up forever. (I'm old. It's possible. Not with this one.) That's the only ESP or LTD I've owned. One and done with them.

[@ChrisEck13]

No one else has talked about it because its not Gibson. Only Gibson's legal matters are what people want to to hear about because they love having a reason to bash Gibson. Other guitar and gear manufacturers are involved in legal matters as well, but it rarely makes the headlines. This matter wouldn't even be talked about here if it didn't play out on social media.

[@SlapMyBass3825]

ESP deleted the post! Cowards.

[@wurm90125]

Both parties would have done well to just not have this on social media. Not everyone needs to know your business all the time. Social media is a clown show.

[@tomtierneydrums]

This is honestly the only opinion on this thread I aligned with.

[@markjames1713]

yeah i have to say this has put me right off esp tbh not sure if i order one the price will go up dramatically before the guitar is built and dunno the whole tthing just seems a bit meh i think il stick to other companies [im saying this as the owner of at least 5 ltd guitars and previous owner of a fair few more]

[@Scott__C]

Well, they did evaluate the evidence of moving the trial, so there's that. Yeah, they should've said nothing.

[@alderoth01]

Yeah, ESP is twisting the narrative BADLY in this situation. I won't be buying another ESP guitar. No thank you.

[@TheAntiburglar]

I've wanted to get an ESP Explorer for years. The news that Gibson's stranglehold over the Explorer body was potentially going away made me excited for the possibility to see ESP bring back their old Metallica models. Not anymore. Guess I'll keep my eyes open on the secondhand market.

[@Highrollinhunter]

I'm waiting for Ibanez to make a gio model of the destroyer once Gibson having a stranglehold on the explorer body shape officially ends

[@williamwyrmshard]

ESP was in the right

[@leviathan_is_me]

​@williamwyrmshard as per the original contract..... maybe. We will never know. However, when Chondro closed and informed ESP (and many others) they worked an agreement to fulfill orders. ESP then reneged. That's the issue, not the original contract (which ESP is trying to use as their "evidence".. keep in mind we do not know what ot entailed), but that reworked agreement. We also do not know HOW that agreement was solidified and if that would hold. Can't really say either way who was right or wrong. Given the outcome and how it was handled, it would appear ESP pulled some crap practices.

[@williamwyrmshard]

@@leviathan_is_me Randall is no better, he’s an absolute douche.

[@revhappymv]

Jackson X Stroyer. Or even a Kelly.

[@thisdyingsoul76]

I can see why ESP wanted the case transfered to a California court. The contract was probably drawn up based around the laws there. Also, looks kind of like how Gibson seems to try to bully people/companies by pushing these lawsuits seemingly until their rival is no longer able to afford to continue. They tried to do it with PRS and have been trying to do it with Dean. I'm sure there were others also. Many of which folded much earlier, knowing how costly a fight with Gibson would be and that Gibson had the deeper pockets.

[@poltergeist3194]

The way ESP worded their statement, it’s like was written by leaders in parliament.

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

Uh-oh. You always know it's a serious subject when a hair tye is employed. NO Drinking during this video!

[@bartholomeusclever]

ESP has just lost a lot of future customers

[@justinfantastic4882]

geeze... well guess i'm going with Schecter USA or even Jackson before I even consider them at this point.. I cant believe they canceled like that on their own customers, shame I love my Esp's but that is some serious abuse of both customers and dealers.

[@deludedreality89]

I'm pretty sure Schecter is owned by ESP or at least the same owner owns both Schecter and ESP.

[@theJE55]

Extremely disappointed in Dagan for liking their post, but then he works for PMT (another big company with an almost monopoly in the UK), so..... not sure what I expected

[@Run-Riot]

Hey KDH, just a heads up, but your description has Chondro Guitars written as "Chondrite Guitars" a few times

[@rodoherty1]

Nice spot

[@Run-Riot]

@@rodoherty1 Wasn't sure he reads the comments, but it looks like he fixed it after my comment, so glad I'm glad I could help out, lol

[@vincentdoyle6987]

I always say, there is no justice, there is only the law, and the two are completely different things.

[@dogbiscuits752]

I’m not buying a product from ESP, if I can help it, after this bs.

[@SchizoidLifePod]

Good to know. i will never buy an ESP now. Liked their guitars too.

[@theblockyrocker9060]

Every post ESP has made since your original video has comments regarding Chondro. The post seemed like a middle finger to those people who needed to tell everyone ESP is bad, which is weird for such a large company. As an ESP fan I don't support their post, but I was on their side regarding Chondro, lousy as it might be.

[@edwardskol1812]

I bought a guitar from Chondro Guitars in 2021. Seemed like a very solid dude, great to deal with, was very happy with the purchase. I feel bad he had to go through all this. Not impressed with ESP business practices after hearing this, wouldn’t consider buying one of their guitars now. Great video.