New guitar help

[kellar]

Oh God, Mississippi Queens! An option that I haven't even considered. You do realize that you have opened Pandora's Box! :lol:

[AndyR]

:lol: glad to be of service... :lol:

[kellar]

Does anyone around here have an ESP LTD EC-400? I would certainly love to hear some reviews.

[kellar]

Debating on if I buy the 400 Series or the 1000 Series.

1000 Series +'s- Locking tuners, locking  stop and tail piece, straplocks, 24 frets compared to 22 on the 400.

1000 Series -'s- significantly more expensive, plus (and this is a big one) no Tobacco burst finish! I have only seen the 400 in Tobacco burst.

What would you do?

[JSHRED]

Well, like I said, 24 frets is mandatory to me. I can maybe understand people occasionally settling for 22 frets in a guitar they really like, but I can't understand the people who prefer less frets. If you don't want to touch the 24th fret, don't. It's not like it's hurting you by being there.

So yeah, I'd do the 1000 series. At least they have the sunburst one, so you can still get a natural finish, and it has passive pickups so you don't end up ripping out active electronics to inevitably put in BKP's.

Not to further confuse you, but I have an Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy GX. I love it. It even has my favorite pickups standard! And it's 24 frets, Gibson scale, with nice tuning machines and a fast neck. Who would have thought such innovation could ever come out of Gibson or Epiphone? Anyway, I scooped one up before they invariably discontinue them to go back to catering to vintage types who prefer less of every innovation.

http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=292&CollectionID=6

[Lazy_McDoesnothing]

Well, like I said, 24 frets is mandatory to me. I can maybe understand people occasionally settling for 22 frets in a guitar they really like, but I can't understand the people who prefer less frets. If you don't want to touch the 24th fret, don't. It's not like it's hurting you by being there.

Some people prefer 22 frets because of the neck pickup placement.  A 24 fret guitar pushes the neck pickup towards the bridge which changes the sound you get out of it.  Basically it's just an excuse to have more guitars than you need. (guilty :oops:)

[kellar]

I can't really say that I prefer 22 frets over 24 (or vice versa). I guess I never really thought about it. Then again, I have never owned a guitar with 24 frets and very rarely play that high up anyway. I do like the sunburst finish on the 1000 but I have been deadset on getting a tobaccoburst LP for quite some time. I am taking a trip to Thomann tomorrow, hopefully they have both in stock so that I can give them a whirl.
I have played the Epi Prophecy GX and have to say I really liked it. Unfortunately, it is very similar to the Wine Red Epi LP that I have right now and I want something a bit different.

[kellar]

So I drove around to every music store in the area today to try out an ESP EC-400. I was hoping to find one in Tobacco burst as well as I am very curious to see how nice the finish is. I was sorely disappointed.
NOBODY HAS THE GUITAR IN STOCK!
Not only that, but in typical German customer service fashion (sorry if any Germans are reading- it's not a rant on you), I couldn't even get anyone to order one for me to try out. Unbelievable! I was utterly pissed off. Where I come from, most stores go out of their way to get one in stock for you. Here, they want to know if you are going to buy it before they bring it in. Are they serious? How can I tell them I want to buy it if I haven't even tried it! I'm confused.

Anyway, now it looks like I may have to take a long trip out to Thomann. Either that or order it. But before I do either, has anyway tried one of these out. I am specifically interested in the EC-400 Tobacco burst. That is the one I am looking at. How is the finish? Is the neck comfy?
I did try out the EC-256 and lower (I believe that was the model number) and they were along the same lines as the Epi LP's. Not bad, but not great. Of course, that is a much lower price bracket. It's kind of what I expected.

Anyway, can someone help me here?

[Roobubba]

Well, like I said, 24 frets is mandatory to me. I can maybe understand people occasionally settling for 22 frets in a guitar they really like, but I can't understand the people who prefer less frets. If you don't want to touch the 24th fret, don't. It's not like it's hurting you by being there.

Some people prefer 22 frets because of the neck pickup placement.  A 24 fret guitar pushes the neck pickup towards the bridge which changes the sound you get out of it.  Basically it's just an excuse to have more guitars than you need. (guilty :oops:)

What is this neck pickup of which you speak?!

[Jonny]

You wouldn't go for a guitar cause of the finish? MY GOD!

[kellar]

You wouldn't go for a guitar cause of the finish? MY GOD!

Utterly pathetic isn't it! :lol:
Call me crazy.

[Jonny]

You wouldn't go for a guitar cause of the finish? MY GOD!

Utterly pathetic isn't it! :lol:
Call me crazy.

You are crazy. :P

[mikey5]

Well man I feel your pain I understand the guitar finish quandary. Anyway man I am sure the EC 1000 is good but you know 24 frets is not so necessary unless you are a major shredder, and even most of them opt for 22 frets. I prefer 22 myself and I find 24 unnecessary. Dude guitar stores in the states are way way worse. They are so hard sell, and they never talk bad about their products. I have only found one store in all of Texas that was worth walking into, and even then I am thinking I made some bad purchases. Be careful, and take your time. Remember at least you have a guitar to play, and your good at it.

P.S. I thought you were a German dude this whole time?

[MrBump]

I like those LTDs a lot.  Saw one in Denmark St the other day, and it really looked beautiful - didn't try it though.  I think it was in Rockers.

I'm on the same quest.  LPish, 24.whatever scale, TOM bridge.

I think that the LTD has to be very high on the list.  There are various Ibanez and Yamahas out there that might suit too.

Mark.

[bobthemerciful]

I can't really say that I prefer 22 frets over 24 (or vice versa). I guess I never really thought about it. Then again, I have never owned a guitar with 24 frets and very rarely play that high up anyway. ...........

To me it's not just about whether I play up there that often or not, it's about the fret board making sense visually. With a 2 octave neck I don't get lost above the 12th fret like I did with my first electric (LP copy) cos I know the fretboard ends in a sensible place. 22 I can live with, tone short of an octave, but 21???
WTF?? 
Obviously designed by a non-musician. Not saying everyone should have 24, just makes sense to me and how I play.
Loved Scott Ian's custom Tele he had in the 90's that had only 12 frets, can't seem to find pics tho. :(