The BEST 7-String I've Ever Played?! (LTD Phoenix-7 Baritone)

Thanks so much for checking out my review and demo of the ESP LTD Phoenix-7 Baritone Black Metal! What a dream guitar! Let's explore this guitar through some awesome ENGL amps! Thanks to ESP and Sound Service for sending this over to me! Cheers!
Gear used in this video:
- ESP LTD Phoenix-7 Baritone Black Metal
- Laney Black Country Customs Sectret Path Reverb Pedal
- ENGL Fireball 100 tube amp
- ENGL Savage 120 MKII tube amp
- Elixir Strings
- OwnHammer RockBox Impulse Responses
- RedSeven Amplification Amp Central reactive load
- Cubase 12 Pro
- Steven Slate Drums
Thanks for watching! Please subscribe along with the bell and follow SDS at:
/ sonicdrivestudio
/ sonicdrivestudio_official
/ jon_symons
#ltdphoenix7 #baritone #blackmetal
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
00:23 Metal Clip On Voice 1 (ENGL Fireball 100)
01:57 Signal Chain Details
02:19 About This Guitar
03:04 Specs And Features
05:23 My Opinion On The Guitar
06:54 Info On Clip 2
07:21 Metal Clip On Voice 2 (ENGL Savage 120 MKII)
08:50 Info On Clip 3
09:28 Clean Tone On Voice 2 (ENGL Savage 120 MKII)
11:04 Conclusion
Disclaimer: this isn't a paid video but the guitar was gifted to me by ESP. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own as always!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

What an amazing guitar! Could you see yourself playing one?

[@Sinisterbvnny]

It seems like quite the square-footage on the body. Other than that, it sounds great! I'd want some LED's somewhere with this one

[@chazzity19]

I have the Viper-7 black metal baritone with a Black Winter in the bridge. it's awesome, would definitely enjoy having a sister to it

[@Slidezy]

No, i could only see you playing it on my screen. It would have been weird if i watched a video from SDS with me in it playing a guitar I've never touched.

[@MilkoOfficialChannel]

I own and play a Korean one! I’m trying to find a case or gig bag without having to pay the ESP price… I wonder if it would fit into an epiphone firebird hard case.

[@svendugandzija9716]

Just recently got the Phoenix 1000 6 string in the red color. Those fishmans sound killer and having the two voicings is awesome.

[@CastratedBeaver]

I have an ltd sn-1007 and i totally agree with build quality being top notch. The match of 27 inches with the fishman fluence really makes for the most versatile 7 strings imo

[@MarcusW87]

As always, love the riffing!

[@markovthebe6st]

Thank you for helping to convince me to buying this guitar. 👌🏼Followed your stuff and channels for years! Happy new year!

[@maildanny]

Absolutely brutal! Looks and sounds are both killer. Also I really like watching the review Jon. Great stuff

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks Danny!

[@stug5041]

I have a fishman modern in my multiscale turned to drop b and I agree they’re ace for low tunings - tight and cutting

[@thirstythree6465]

so much inspiring killer big riff. i love it!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@PointlessExistence.]

Jezz, your riffs our so soul inspiring.. You can make an album from those music you made.

[@silaswintersguitar]

See i want one of these but i heard the neck dive is just BRUTAL on this model because of the baritone scale length and strap button placement.

[@rperry70]

I wish they would add a neck pick up option on the black metal series

[@gentlewolf1279]

I have the Phoenix 6 and its a beast too. There is something about this guitar. 7 sounds crazy good too.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Which 6 do you have? The black metal?

[@gentlewolf1279]

@@SonicDriveStudio Yes sir! I swapped the pickup to a JB though. Beast of a guitar

[@GearStuffandThings]

Been waiting on this one!!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Hope it doesn't disappoint!

[@GearStuffandThings]

@@SonicDriveStudio no way! I really want one now

[@anders2077]

Looks like a Ibanez Stoneman which imho is the best looking 8-string of all time. Always solid stuff from ESP/LTD

[@broccoliking6668]

Great and helpful video thank you! Can I ask - I've seen that foam everywhere, is there a specific type or size you buy? I'd love to use that on mine, the Gruvgear fretwraps don't work quite as well as I'd like.

[@D14V0R05]

John sure likes those ESP/LTD Phoenix guitars.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Sure do!

[@GearStuffandThings]

Oh man…. This guitar rules

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Oh yeah

[@shanem.3568]

Really hoping LTD starts doing more 6 string baritones. Have one 7 string and it's not really my thing but id love a 6 string TE or phoenix in 26.5

[@SonicDriveStudio]

They make a few now, Vipers, Eclipse etc

[@michaelrichardson8343]

Wicked sounds my friend! Kind of like if Batman or Darth Vader played a Firebird. 🤘

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Totally! :)

[@jmaaybraak]

Omg dude... I'm flippin' drooling over here!! Wow, what an absolutely gorgeous sounding guitar...really appreciating those Fishmans as well. U can get such a dynamic sound out of them.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! It's wonderful!

[@obedmccalip9449]

Sounds and looks awesome but heard there was bad neck dive?

[@louiscypher7252]

I love it and I hate it in the same time. Love everything except the balance. Neck dive is so intense that makes almost impossible to play guitar in standing position. I am about to change factory bridge to evertune,.Hope this 1kg of steel will solve the problem :)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I always play sitting down so no neck-dive for me... I guess you could fix that with some weights on the strap

[@AA-cn2vd]

If they put a neck pickup, solve the neck dive problem and do it 25.5 scale, then it would be a great guitar

[@arrmundo]

Sounds awesome! Is the pickguard the same size as your 6 string Phoenix guitars?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Don't know tbh

[@jasoncrump1886]

Question..did the 68 on the bottom go through the tuning peg ok or did you have to make the hole bigger?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It went through if I remember correctly

[@jasoncrump1886]

@@SonicDriveStudio cool I was wondering because I have the esp aw7 baritone and recently put a 64 on the bottom and it was a little tight in the peg and the nut but it worked. Was thinking about trying a 68 and tuning a little lower but not sure it'll fit . Plus I'm probably gonna pull the trigger on a phoenix before too long. Lol

[@jasoncrump1886]

I just got the esp ltd aw7b baritone and diggin it . Might have to get me a phoenix tho. My son that passed away last year we named him Phoenix . So yeah that would be awesome to write him a song on a phoenix guitar.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

So sorry for your loss

[@jasoncrump1886]

@@SonicDriveStudio appreciate you brother. Phoenix was born dead due to a placenta rupture just a couple days before his due date . He was gone for 20 minutes and like the Phoenix came back to life on August 13th last year and died in my arms 13 days later on the 26th. JC my initials equals 13. His mother's name is Faith . There was so many wild syncronisities it was undeniable. He showed us alot in the little time we had with him but we know he will always be with us and we will see him again .

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@jasoncrump1886 thanks for sharing your story! It's very moving! Take care!

[@jasoncrump1886]

@@SonicDriveStudio You too brother. Appreciate you.

[@AnthonyBencomo]

I have it too! So sick. Next year Alex is going to release a new signature. It’s going to be this Phoenix 7 Baritone but with some tweaks if you want to hold out.

[@dreammachine86]

I've never played a Phoenix but the shape is just so bad-ass! Really hope to get one some day. The Phoenix 1000 in Vintage White is the one that's calling out to me most actually, even though most of the time I play a similar style of metal riffs to yours ( you always have such a great mix of chunky riffs and beautiful sounding chords 🙂). Andertons KZbin channel did a little demo of that Vintage White Phoenix and it sounded fantastic. The Black Cherry finish is probably my favourite looking though. Going up to 7 strings, I really like the look of the Viper-7 Black Metal. Seems like it would have a very similar vibe to this Phoenix just a different pickup (and 24 frets instead of 22). There is just something ridiculous, in the best way, about a blacked out, baritone 7 string SG shape guitar. Out of interest, what is your setup for listening to your tone whilst you play and record your videos? I see that you seem to use IRs most of the time for recording your amps. So would just be interesting to know whether you are hearing your tone through studio monitors after the amp has gone through a loadbox and your chosen IR. Or whether you use a cab for monitoring alongside the recording setup. Your tone is always lovely and chunky. Personally I'm playing through plugins most of the time and whilst the variety of tones you can get is amazing, I always find it difficult to get a good high gain sound. It never seems to have anywhere near the resonance & sustain of a real amp, even compared to my cheap & old Peavy Vypyr. But then my plugins (AmpliTube usually) are going through PC speakers, whilst they are a decent set I'm wondering if some studio monitors will be a significant upgrade. One day I'd love to get an amp collection like yours but I'm currently in an apartment with neighbours so kinda limited with what I can do. I am tempted by the PRS MT15 though, it sounded great in the review you did and the volume level (and price!) is a bit more suitable for my situation.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! I always monitor with IRs through my studio monitors

[@chazzity19]

as an owner of a Viper-7 black metal, I would happily recommend it

[@andythomas2730]

Hi thanks for this great vid! I’m thinking about buying this guitar but, what string gauge would work for A standard tuning? Thanks!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I would say 9s or 10s with a low 65 or so

[@andythomas2730]

@@SonicDriveStudio thanks! You mentioned you use Elixr strings, nanoweb? Are the standard pack of Elixr 10’s long enough for a baritone or do you have to get a baritone set?

[@picksalot1]

Another important design element that contributes to its sound is the reverse headstock. This puts the longest string lengths on the lowest strings, creating the necessary string tension to get the best tone. 😎

[@LukaCuturic]

Does this have a shimmed neck like your average Les Paul?

[@guerrerourbano7]

This one is better than the sct 607b with emg?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It's different... personal preference! I like them both but I love this one more

[@LonelyRocker]

That's a match made in heaven. Heavenly destruction!!!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Haha yeah man!

[@mrrnrob]

I Have The ESP LTD Phoenix-6 Black Metal 😎

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Awesome! How do you like it?

[@mrrnrob]

@@SonicDriveStudio Love It,In Fact I Got It Because Of You My Friend You Demoing Out Those LTD Phoenix ..I Believe Some Of Yours Are In a D Standard Tuning. So My Was Setup Up In a D Standard.(Love This Tuning).. Never Owned a Baritone,So Next In Line For Me Is The LTD Phoenix-7 Baritone..Thx Again John.Dig You Channel Man. Best, Rob

[@TwistedIdentity]

I'm a huge fan of ESP / LTD but I've only owned like 4 of them. I currently only own one. I need to change that o_o

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Goals!

[@KaiDown]

That thing is a total monster

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It's THE monster! :)

[@aaaargl]

sadly i can't get over 7string neck profiles haha. i'll stick with 6 string for the rest of my life. sounds huge though bro

[@SonicDriveStudio]

6 string baritones are nice too!

[@aaaargl]

@@SonicDriveStudio 26,5" is the max i can tolerate. i love me some 25,5" haha but i have to say i don't go lower than C standard

[@manos6426]

Ultra juicy heavy sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow!!!!! I have a silly question, is their a difference , as far the tuning, in comparison to a "normal" 7 String ? Or is it just the scale length longer??

[@SonicDriveStudio]

The scale is longer so it allows for lower tunings because of the extra tension

[@manos6426]

I suppose the sustain will be long also ( for doom/death stuff)@@SonicDriveStudio

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yes

[@Yxzjvc]

Have you tried the Fishman Tosin Abasi pickups? Imo they are even better than the standard Moderns and also more versatile. Perfect for 8 strings

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I have not...

[@danomnihility2453]

+666 for the Fireball 100!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Killer amp!

[@CraigCrider]

MASSIVE! What do you have it tuned to?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Depends what section. In the video I go over the different tunings

[@CraigCrider]

@@SonicDriveStudio Doh, I didn't watch far enough.

[@Altarzu]

27" scale length + mahogany neck-through + mahogany wings + string-through construction + FF Modern on bridge... that's not a guitar, it's a cannon! Plus, stainless steel frets and an elegant and sober reinterpretation of a classic but uncommon design, at a not-too-high price.

[@LightCyrus]

I thought you had one of these already?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Not the 7 string

[@zachjones1716]

You should be the first one to compare a 7 string baritone to an 8 string

[@feuersturmomega5000]

: )

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

7 strings??? why not play bass?????????????

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Wow, that's a very 1998 thing to say dude!

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

@SonicDriveStudio 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

[@Yxzjvc]

"Only" 7 strings? He also has a 9 string, you havent seen it? x)

[@remize73]

6 strings is all u need. Mud is Mud and will always be Mud. Just let the bass gtr do what it was designed to do! And people wonder why rock and metal is dead.

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

@@remize73 lol shut up I was legit joking. 7 and 8 and even 9 string guitar are awesome.