LTD EC-407 Review

This guitar is loaded with all the necessary features for a solid look and an even better sound. I would recommend this guitar to anyone looking for a 7 string model, or just a new guitar to add to the collection. It looks great, feels great, and sounds amazing.

Features:	10
Sound:	8.5
Action:	8
Reliability:	10
Impression:	9.5
Overall rating:	9.1
Reviewer rating:	9.2
Users rating:	9
Votes:	27

overall: 9.2

Reviewed by: heero22, on november 16, 2012

Price paid: $ 749.00

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: Made in China in 2012, I am vary surprised by this guitar. I have always been an ESP fan of guitars but I never bought any that actually had EMG pickups. So this is my first EMG equipped guitar and my first 7 string at the same time. It comes in either Snow-white satin or black satin (I got the black), so there is not really a choice in colors, but they do make sense for a guitar produced strictly for metal.

Specs:
- Set-neck construction
- 25.5" scale body (perfect for that natural detuning of the low b-string when it is played by it self!)
- Single Cut-away Mahogany Body
- Maple Top
- Maple neck finish in same way as body with satin paint
- Rosewood fingerboard (mine is actually darker than all other rosewood fingerboards I have had in the past, I don't know if that was on purpose or not but makes the guitar look better in my opinion.)
- 48mm standard nut
- Thin U-neck contour (never played a 7-string before this so I was surprised how thick it was but how natural feeling it was!)
- 24 XJ (extra jumbo) Frets
- Black Satin Hardware
- TOM Bridge
- EMG 81-7 (B)/ EMG 707 (N)
- 3 way toggle
- Bridge and Neck Volume Knobs
- Master Tone Knob
- ESP Tuners

P.S. Don't follow what it says on the website when it comes to the tuners due to the fact they are not Grover tuners. // 10

Sound: This Guitar was produced by ESP to the new generation of metal guitarist who want a heavier sound than what they can get from a normal 6-string (I like to play progressive djenty stuff). I use it with an Ibanez TBX150H through a Crate 4x12 with a Boss DD-7. The guitar can be noisy at time when I have the gain past the 2:00 position on the HOT channel, the main reason I can believe is the 81-7 in the bridge, it is way to muddy and the output feels to low for it to be the so-called standard of EMG pickups (mainly talking about the 81 in general). However the 707 is the most beautiful sounding pickup I have heard, it actually has more output (at least more volume) in the neck position than the 81-7 on the bridge (trying to figure that out). I have noticed in the comments section that this guitar should only be played for metal but I think they are wrong personally. This guitar gives the most amazing clean sound I have heard in all of my guitars in the neck position. It also sounds great doing some blues stuff in the middle position if you set the volume right on the bridge. This guitar has a lot of potential if people look past the EMG pickups as strictly metal pickups. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: When I got this guitar through the mail it was set up almost perfectly for my style the only things I had to do was tighten some nuts with the included Allen keys. Other than tuning it up the first time I didn't do much to it at first. The pickups where at their top level which I wish the bridge could get closer but it can't. The only flaws that I could see on the guitar were the neck binding missing its "aged" look in some spots and the binding on the headstock where some of the black and meld in certain spots, and on the higher part of the fretboard there are some fileing marks on the 7 string side but nothing that can be noticed when gigging or from afar. I was disappointed by the inlays when I noticed that they look too flat for pearled plastic. Other than that nothing that effects actual playability. // 8

Reliability & Durability: This guitar seems like it will play forever by my experience with other ESP guitars, I would have a back-up in case of string breakage on stage or for other tunings. The hardware seems like it will last except the paint on it. The strap buttons seem solid but I am about to change them with the DiMarzio strap lock system. I would never personally go to a gig without a backup just because of the hassle it is trying to fix a broken string on stage. I haven't had this guitar long enough to know if the finish will last or not but when I dropped it (yeah by accident) some paint chipped off of the bottom on the back side and the finish seems to be thick enough to last years of constant playing before seeing actual wood. // 10

Impression: Good match for anything really, I plan on dumping the 81-7 for another 707 for the bridge but other than that it is good for anything even country if you rig the battery pack with a simple piece of wire to get a p90 or single coil sound (not recommended for high gain at all though). If this guitar were lost or stolen I would cry, then go on a killing spree just to get it back. I love the fact that the guitar is so unique for a 7 string being a LP shape. You don't find many 7 strings in shapes other than the Strat style. I did not compare it to other 7 strings because I am sick of the Strat shape and not a fan of the crazy Explorer and V shapes. The only thing I wish it came with was a case for safe storage, especially for how much I did pay for it. // 10

overall: 9.2

Reviewed by: Sutherlandj, on november 16, 2012

Price paid: C$ 786

Purchased from: Axe Music

Features: When I heard ESP was making the switch from manufacturing in Indonesia to China, I was a bit skeptical, considering I've played a few Chinese-made guitars in the past. However my skepticism was put to rest right away. The craftsmanship and detail on the EC-407 is remarkable. This guitar is loaded with all the necessary features for a solid look and an even better sound. Here are some of the basic features:

- Set-Neck Construction
- 25.5" Scale
- Mahogany Body
- Maple Top
- Maple Neck
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- 48mm Standard Nut
- Thin U Neck Contour
- 24 XJ Frets
- Black Satin Hardware
- TOM Bridge
- EMG 81-7 (B) / 707 (N) Active p.u.
- Finish: BLKS (Black Satin),
- SWS (Snow White Satin)
- 3-Way Toggle
- Bridge Volume
- Neck Volume
- Master Tone

In most of the specifications listed online for this guitar, the tuning pegs are listed as Grover, although this is not the case. They are just basic stock ESP pegs, however work very well. This guitar is loaded with features and at a great price too.  // 10

Sound: The EC-407 sounds even better then it looks. The active EMGs allow for a rich sound and make every note crystal clear. I mainly play the guitar through a Maxon OD808 and Marshall Microstack. The guitar is perfectly suited for heavy metal in every way. The only criticism I have for this guitar is I find the EMG 81-7 to be a bit 'muddy' sounding. However after tweaking some of the EQs on the amp, the issue was fixed so it's really just a minor detail. Although the clean channel is rarely used, this guitar sounds fantastic on it. It shines through on every note. Aside from a muddy pickup, this guitar sounds fantastic. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: As stated above, the craftsmanship and detail put into this guitar are exceptional. The guitar looks great, and feels great in your hands. I found a minor flaw on the fretboard though. There is a loud buzzing sound on a few of the frets, but again this is a minor detail. I believe the frets need to be filed down a bit more, as I had this problem with another guitar. The body is quite small and takes some getting used to as well. Aside from a few minor inconveniences, this guitar was assembled flawlessly. The neck is aligned perfectly and it plays likes dream. I had no other problems with this guitar and I would highly recommend it to anyone. // 8

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is built solid. It's surprisingly light for a mahogany body, but very durable. The hardware has a special coating on it that gives it a nice change from just basic black. However I'm not sure how well this coating will hold up after constant playing, but time will time. Everything else was assembled correctly and great equipment was used to build the guitar. The finish on the guitar does not look like it would become an issue after extensive playing. This is a very dependable guitar that will hold up against anything. // 10

Impression: I mainly play heavy metal and the ESP LTD EC-407 is built just for that. This guitar, similar to any other, has a few minor flaws but it's easy to look past them and see all of its positives. The pros certainly outweigh the cons. I own a variety of electric guitars, and this one is the most fun to play, without a doubt. I would recommend this guitar to anyone looking for a 7 string model, or just a new guitar to add to the collection. It looks great, feels great, and sounds amazing. // 9

Comments

[Guitar_Jester]

My previous guitar player had one. He dropped it A LOT, with minor damages.
Only thing I didn't like was the sustain on it. The sound faded too fast.

[Guitar_Jester]

And it should only used for metal, which he didn't.

[Sutherlandj]

I don't seem to have any problems with the sustain on mine. It holds the notes much longer than most of my other guitars. But yeah, I wouldn't use it for much else other than metal.

[Den_Benjo]

I can see that there is a knob directly under the bridge,
does this affects your playing at any time?

[heero22]

Its not in the way at all, unless you play directly on the bridge but its out of the way from your hand but close enough to set the bridge volume on the fly when you need it.

[mike.jubas]

i just bought this guitar I'm going to be playing it in drop A would you suggest that i get the truss rod adjusted or will just thick strings do?