Author Topic: ESP LTD Sig Series Q's... (Read 5411 times)

Crazy_Joe · « **on:** January 23, 2007, 09:41:23 PM »

I'm looking at the Kirk Hammet and Jeff Hanneman series. They both have the same specs for each model really (before 2007 models which are not sold yet). Though i prefer the JH series, but i can settle for a KH if i had to.

I have heard that they are good guitars for the price. But what i am wondering is, is it worth it to make the step up from say a JH-200 to a JH-600. Sure the specs look so much better on the 600, but is it really worth the extra 300-400 odd quid paid for it?

The spec. difference is huge, i'm talking about bolt-on to neck thru, passive to active EMG's, basswoods to alders, licensed FR to original FR (and even Kahler on the 2007 model) i could go on but i think you get the picture.

The only place near me that stocks any kind of these guitars is Machinehead in Hitchin, they don't have any of the Jeff Hanneman series and they only have the Kirk Hammet KH-202.

For people with these guitars, or people who have played the standard version then the step up from that version, how much difference is there in feel, playability and sound? And is it worth the extra cash spent on it.

Davey · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:02:52 PM »

if you really want it ..
save up for the higher end models, cos the cheapos are.. cheapos..

you get what you pay for.

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:12:46 PM »

As long as you have played them then i respect that opinion. I have a feeling all the answers in this thread is going to be save up for the better version.

I do really like the look and all the features and i have heard from many that they play very well.

However i still have my eyes on Ibanez, you can get a Prestige RG1570 with hard case for £445 brand new now!
Surely that is better value and probably quality than that of the korean LTD, or is it one of those ones where you have to play it and decide for yourself?

Simon D · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:13:25 PM »

Hi Joe.
I've had an ESP Ltd M302 for a couple of years. It's pretty similar in spec to the KH602, except without the active EMGs. It was roughly £800 new.
Before I bought it, I checked out numerous ESPs, including several of the cheaper models. It is definitely worth going for a slightly more expensive model.

The difference in playablility and tone is certainly noticeable, as is the detail in the finish. The fretwork, for example, on mine was perfect straight out of the box, but some of the lower end models it would have needed some work to take the sharpness off the ends and level them off.
Pickup -wise, while mine has the passive EMGs, I played several with the active EMGs (which were out of my price range), and they sounded pretty good, but not as good as I expected. I had my local repairer install a set of Warpigs in mine, which made it sound, to my ears anyway, better than the active EMG equipped models.

Anyway, I hope this helps you out a bit.

P.S. If you're interested, my ESP is currently for sale. I had the same repairer put the old EMGs back in, as the Warpigs are going in anthother guitar.
Please see http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6827 for all the details.

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:17:12 PM »

It's a very nice looking guitar and i bet it plays well. Though right now i don't have 600 quid, though when i get payed i might.
Is it a licensed floyd?

Simon D · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:19:25 PM »

It is a licensed Floyd, yeah. It has had very little trem use - I'm not much of trem player.

Oh, and I'm open to offers on price

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:34:11 PM »

I just thought about the Sig. series, and i'm thinking if i'm spending 700 odd quid on a guitar, am i really going to actually want that guitar then when there is so much more out there for that price.
Just look at the Prestige Ibanez range, forget the 1570 if i had that much money i could buy a rg2750 or rg2620, and i think being made in Japan with Ibanezes craftsmanship i think it will be much better quality than a LTD sig series built by machines in korea, i like the looks of the sig series but i have played a prestige ibanez and they feel great to play. Also i could buy an rg1570 then upgrade the pickups with that money if i wanted to.

Simon D · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:41:16 PM »

^ All very good points. It comes down to what you prefer at the end of the day.

And I agree, when you're spending that kind of money you have to get it right first time and make sure what you're getting is exactly what you want.

Good luck with the guitar hunting anyway. Make sure you let us all know what you get. :)

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:56:51 PM »

Yeah i will, though it usually takes me a few months to actually decide!!

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2007, 11:32:22 PM »

I've played good and bad Ibanez's in that range,
When they're good, they're great, the 2620 you mentioned is a kick ass guitar, but I've played horrible 2620s aswell, it's the kind of guitar you might have try a few out.

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2007, 11:46:33 PM »

I have tried out the 1570, i liked it a lot, and that is good since it is the cheapest in the range :lol:
But i seriously doubt that it will get much more different than that in feel and sound, all the hsh rg guitars in the prestige range have the same specs, im guessing they use the same woods and hardware etc. It's just the pickups when they turn to those DiMazrio IBZ pickups that the price goes up. But i'm not bothered about them really.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2007, 12:40:52 AM »

Quote from: Crazy_Joe

I have tried out the 1570, i liked it a lot, and that is good since it is the cheapest in the range :lol:
But i seriously doubt that it will get much more different than that in feel and sound, all the hsh rg guitars in the prestige range have the same specs, im guessing they use the same woods and hardware etc. It's just the pickups when they turn to those DiMazrio IBZ pickups that the price goes up. But i'm not bothered about them really.

Yeah, those DiMarzios are pretty shoddy, better to save the money and get some BKP ;)

If you don't want the Floating trem then you could get an RGA. They're beautiful and wellmade apparently, come with a case and are £500-£600, saving you some money on the pickups.

Never played one, but it was recommended to me, and sounds like a cool deal.

Davey · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2007, 05:49:46 AM »

i played the higher end hanneman sig (ltd) and it feels lightyears better than anything from the low end LTD. fretwork is better, feel is better. it still has room for improvement (setup was so-so @ the store).
though i would never buy it, since it's korea made (principle)

i'd rather save up the cash, buy a bolt on and customise it to my needs

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2007, 10:02:18 AM »

I'm pretty sure i'm going for an Ibanez now, if i get the 1570 then i should have enough money to change all the pickups.

samoth2 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2007, 08:17:11 PM »

If you are thinking of a 1570 i recommend you to take a look at the S470.
I chose it over the 1570.

It has H-S-H pickups just like the 1570, but its mahogny and has a nice and thin body.