LTD H-1000 Deluxe Review

This set-neck screamer wears an eye-popping flamed maple top on its mahogany body and is armed with EMG-81 pickups (in black) or Seymour Duncan JB/59s (in amber).

Features:	8.7
Sound:	7.3
Action:	9.3
Reliability:	8.7
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	8.6
Users rating:	7.8
Comments:	21

overall: 9

Featured review by: SMK626, on july 24, 2006

Price paid: $ 834

Purchased from: Sam Ash

Features: This was made in 04' and was made in Korea. It has 24 XJ fret on a rosewood fret board with a beautiful abolone flag inlay and abolone/pearl binding that feels great on the hands. It's a Trans. Red with a beeautiful quilted maple finish and a abolone/pearl binding around the whole body. Les paul type of body to it, just a bit smaller and thinner. It has a Tone-Pros 2 peice bridge. 2 EMG 81 Active pickups that fit perfectly with its style. It has 2 Volume, and 1 Tone and a 3 way toggle. It has sperzel locking tuners that keep it in great tune and made it ready to shred out of the box. No complains on its features at all, it has beauty and versitility. // 10

Sound: I play lots of music, ranging from classical (Antonio Vivaldi) to Classic rock (Led Zeppelin) to thrash (Metallica) to metal (Children Of Bodom). This guitar really fits them all. I play it through a Mashall DSL100. It's EMG's produce a really rich tone that is pleasing on clean and agressive on distortion. It fits many styles but cant really hit that old school Hendrix, Clapton kind of Strat sound. Another problem is harmonics come easy but seem to have small sustain within them. And last I just wish EMG's didn't need batteries. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar is great out of the box. Everything were as described, expect it came with 81/81 instead of 60/81 but I prefer it that way anyway. Everything was perfect from the box, just a slight tune and I was loving it. Yet it did come with one flaw being it had a slight hairline scratch near the pickups. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is played by many people famous people live and can withstand a lot of abuse, expecially the abuse I put on when I play a show. The hardware color starts to fade in prob 8 month or so depending on how much you play. I'm loosing it at the spot where I palm mute. Everywhere else its perfectly fine. The paint is tough as hell, I actually stupidly dropped if before, I had a scratch but nothing chipped off and it was on concrete. I can depend on it anyday, I use it as my main guitar on stage. It was my guitar I used for my first ever gig and it handled great gig after gig, practice after practice. // 9

Impression: Overall it fits every style expect that twag sound you can only get out of Strat. I've been playing for some time now and I play this baby through a Line 6 PODXT Live to expand a evil more killer tone. I just wish I got to check the product before buying, the hairline scratch always stook in my head. If this was stolen. I wouldn't buy another, I would steal it back and kill the guy. I love it for its tone and looks, both killer, I dont like its low sustain harmonics and the fact that EMG's are battery powered, my fav thing about it is the sperzel locking tuners. It makes it easy to change strings and switch tunnings. This guitar is a def. buyer. Worth every penny. // 9

overall: 9.6

Reviewed by: ESP_Shreder, on december 06, 2006

Price paid: $ 400

Purchased from: guitar center (used)

Features: This ESP has a lot of features that any metal fan will absolutely adore! There are 3 model's out there. All of which are identical except the color scheme. My color scheme has gold plated tuners, bridge and knobs with a golden color to it. Others include zebra stripe pickups and gold or black hardware. The guitar is made in Korea, not a good sign, but yet it is nearly identical to the ESP horizon. This guitar has 24 frets on a 25.5 scale. The tone pro's locking bridge has graphite to keep the strings on and a graphite nut. The controls are simplistic, a 3 way Switch, 1 tone and 1 volume knob. The tuners are meant for metal. The locking sperzel tuners keep this thing in amazingly good tone even on dropped tunings. I was particulary picky about what I wanted in a guitar and this had it. The wood rocked, the neck was super slim and fast, adn the ahrdware was grade A. // 10

Sound: This guitar suits my style very very well. I like thrash metal adn death metal. I play other various forms of metal, but yet on teh neck pickup I can get a decent humbucker blues sound for stuff like As bold as Love and so on. The best msuic for this beast is that of thrash metal speed metal. My model has the JB and 59' Duncan's in it and they have yet to let me down. The tone can get pretty bright but can also get VERY dull. I like a tinny sound so EMG's would be better, but they can get close to that of an 81 if tuned right and the proper amp and settings on the amp. I play this on very high distortion adn it is very crisp. I can take full advantage of palm mutes. The guitar itself has relatively low noise, although it does not like ebing too close to my mointer for explainable reasons. The guitar has somewhat of a limited variety, but can cover most spectrums if nessesary. The most flexibily comes in the metal spectrum obviously. The sound overall is rich and crisp. I use an Line 6 spider 212 and can get some very good tone from it. The wattage is overkill for a bedroom, but yet it is an amazing amplifier for $400ish. The two are a good combination, in my opinion. Tone really comes down to personally preference once you reach anything above a $50 or 60 pickup, but this is what I want, although a bit better cutoff would be nice, but I think that is the amplifiers fault. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: I really cannot say how well it was set up from the factory because I bought it used and I ahd the guitars at guitar center adjust the truss rod and the bridge. The screws came oxidized on mine, but that is due to time, but it's odd to me for Switch screws to oxidize in just a few years as bad as they did. The guitar is beautiful otehrwise and the inlay IS amazing! The pickups need a bit of tuning to your preference. Would have given a 10, but the unusual oxidization bothers me. They will be replaced shortly. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is pretty damn reliable as far as I am concerned. The pot's wear out after 3 years or so. Mine are starting to crackle. The hardware seems like it will last. The usual thigns need to be adjusted over time like the input jack. I would use this at a gig without a backup. I'd worry about the strings breaking before the guitar itself. It has bee dropped a few times by the previous owner and nothign happened to it. The finish will knock your socks off! The finish is amazing. It will never flake off and never wear off. There are piant cracks on the pinstriping, and some other paint cracks, but I think taht was due to the previous owners misuse. The cracks are normal for 3 years, but yet anyhting liek taht disturbs me. Note it is the paint and not the gelcoat. It is under the surface, not on the surface. // 9

Impression: This guitar is amazing for metal if your looking for anythign beside black. I have been playing for almost 2 years, but yet I practice every day and have studied a lot of music theory and take private lessons. I do not regret my decision buying this guitar. Used, it was a steal and I would most definitely replace this guitar. It is a guitar you can play day to day unlike some radical design. I compared it to amny other guitars. When I picked it up, I was wowed at it's tone and it's neck action. I immediately feel in love with it but could not pay $800 for it, so I got it used for 1/2 of that. I haev compared this to Ibanez rg's, all fo the schecters and some jacksons. Jacksons are not reliable, the RG broke within 2 months (tone knob) and the Schecter's neck was a pain in the ass to play. Those are what I played along with every other damn ESP under $600 or so and this rocked them all. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on april 29, 2005

Purchased from: Bmusic

Features: This guitar was actually a prize I won as a result of buying a different guitar from this supplier. I'd never played or owned and ESP/LTD guitar but I knew they had a great reputation, so I thought this was a great chance to get one. Mine is the black version of the LTD Deluxe H-1000 which is the mid-level model of the ESP Horizon. All the specs are available on the ESP web site so I won't bother going into that. Overall this is a very nice guitar but I was a little disspointed with a few of the features, namely the EMG active pickups and the limitations of the 3 way selector Switch. The overall look of the guitar is very appealing visually, with the abalone and white binding really contrasting against the high gloss black finish. The offset abalone inlay fret markers are also a nice variation which distinguishes this guitar from "the pack." // 6

Sound: The sound of this guitar was its most dissapointing feature for me due to it's lack of quality tone. It has plenty of sustain and resonance but the notes just didn't seem to sing or ring true like on other guitars I have. I've never been a fan of active pickups and the H-1000 has two EMG 81 active pickups which unfortunatley I think really detract from the overall quality of this instrument. I know active pickups are supposed to have better dynamic repsonse and more "life" than standard passive pickups but to my ears they fell well short of the mark in this case and I think these are the weak link in this guitar. In the neck position the sound was relatively flat and dull with very little dynamics or genuine warmth in it at all. The bridge position was similar with very little noticable difference in the brightness or tone which you would expect from the bridge pickup. I play through a DigiTech GNX4 and use a Marshall poweramp and straight quad for amplification. I really couldn't find a decent tone from this guitar in the neck or bridge position regardless of the amount of "tweaking" I did on the GNX4. Clean or dirty - the tone's just not there! I'm actually in the process of replacing the EMGs with Seymour Duncans Jazz and JB pickups which I have used before in other guitars and found to be incredibly responsive and suited to just about anything. // 4

Action, Fit & Finish: The setup of the guitar itself overall is very good. It had a fairly low action from the factory setup but I had it adjusted professionaly and now it is spot on - super slick and super quick. This is a very nicely balanced guitar and has a very familiar, comfortable feel to it as soon as you pick it up and start to play. The extended access of the neck joint allows for easy reach right up to the 24th fret on the low E. The overall "look" of the guitar is very pleasing and the abalone binding on the body and fretboard inlays are a real standout feature, giving it just that little something extra to make it stand out against other guitars. The sperzel tuners are a new concept to me but seem to keep the guitar in tune incredibly well. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I don't think this guitar would have any problems being used as a regular work horse for a performing artist. The body's finish looks like it could withstand countless hours of work and handle the odd knock that comes with regular gigging. The hardware in general is top rate allthough I am replacing the factory installed 3-way Switch with a 5 way selector to allow coil tapping with the new Seymour Duncan pickups. I have also replaced the strap locks for Schallers but that is because I insist on them on any guitar I own, but the originals would do fine. Given the ease of string replacement and the robustness of this guitar you could easily play a gig relying soley on this one without a backup. // 8

Impression: My main style of music is pop/rock which will suit this guitar well (once the pickups and selector Switch are changed). Straight out of the box I think this guitar is left wanting a little. It didn't have any "personality" at all and just seemed to be very middle of the road. However having said that, it is a solid, reliable and very playable axe with a decent quality finish - you could do a lot worse for the dollars. My favourite features on this guitar are the high gloss black with abalone binding finish and it's incredibly comfortable and familiar feel. I think with better suited pickups and more flexibility in the pickup switching this will be a great guitar. I would definitely replace this guitar if it were stolen but only if the pickups and Switch configuration were changed. With a little work - a definite keeper! // 8

Comments

[ptownbob]

i'm sure this guitar kicks ass. 81's in an ESP (ltd, i know)? i'll take two. would i buy? definetly.

[american-psycho]

um first guy is an idiot
firstly you have reviewed an ESP LTD EC-1000 the H-1000 has a string through body, and as you can see on the picture there are 2 seymore duncan pickups and god only knows why 1. you got a strat sound and 2. you think metallica is thrash metal

[Aj1991]

The second review is better than the first one. Go the second review its better.

[sebbes]

First: There is a version of the H-1000 with EMG's so the image/reviews aren't wrong.
Second: The ssecond review is better explained, but depending on what style you play it canbe misleading. ESP's (LTD) are made primarily for metal music. Check their artist roster and you'll see what I mean(e.g. 99% are metal players) And for distortion, especially the heavy kind used in speed/thrash/death/black ... the EMG's are supposed to be really good. Metallica, Slayer, Zakk Wylde(not an ESP endorsee), Shadows Fall, etc. use them. That said I have also heard that the cleans are really sterile compared to other pickups.
Third: Metallica practically invented thrash. There were fast bands before them, there were heavy bands before them(Motorhead, Venom), but before Kill 'Em All There was no real thrash metal.

[falafel]

i'm interested in the EMG version, anyone who can write a review about it?

[metal_skill]

sebbes knows what hes talking about.

[pepsi_lovr]

ya i got this guitar, amazing!!! very easy access to the upper frets and i just love the neck (some ppl don't though) good sounnd too

[Chiefwiddler]

Um, American Psycho. About Metallica, go and buy Kill Em All, I think you will find it IS thrash. New stuff, NO, old stuff pre 1985, YES!

[Konstantine19]

I got the version with the emg 81 and 85 and holy **** it is sick playing this bad boy through a peavey 6505+ head and a 1960 marshall cab! only thing is tho it is mainly suited for metal and with those active emg pickups u have to put a new battery in everyother week

[dez_cole]

Konstantine19 you are doing something wrong...
you only have to change the battery about every 6 months(give or take a few)
you need to unplug the cord from the guitar every time your done playing to preserve battery life.

[ESP Maniac]

Is the Colour REally that bright

[ESP Maniac]

To American Psycho,

You are an idiot. There are emg versions of the guitar and the guitar has a string thru body with the tonepros bridge.

[DeathByStereo23]

The H-1000 is one of the best metal guitars out there,just see Darkest Hour or similar,the sound of this gtr is absolutely amazing....:O

[ESP Maniac]

I think ESP have discontinued this model because its not on the ESP website anymore

[Aziraphale]

Wouldn't be so surprised about this guitar not sounding like hendrix or clapton, since it has active high-output humbuckers. Maybe put an EMG 89 in the neck position if you want strat tones.

[ShredIsNotDead.]

WHY WOULD SOMEONE WHO PLAYS POP/ROCK REVIEW THIS GUITAR???
It's such an unhelpful and retarded thing to do...
The guitar is designed for playing metal!
Why would you want to get a strat sound with emgs anyway?
And metallica were definetely thrash pre 1985, but does it really matter? They're metal, I'm sick of all these stupid sub-genres...
And yeah, "DeathByStereo23", i agree with you, this guitar sounds insane on the new darkest hour record...
well, i think thats enough of my ranting...
...but there are so many stupid mother****ers on this site that argue about genres and sh*t...

[DeathByStereo23]

ESP Maniac wrote:

I think ESP have discontinued this model because its not on the ESP website anymore

Now ESP has upgraded it to the H-1001....not sure of the differences between the H-1000 and the 1001

[SchecterC-1+Man]

Are the cleans with EMG's really that bad? Cause I was thinking about getting the H-1001 with emg's...it's either that, a jackson (rr5 pro series) or some kind of ibanez...

[Ronnie86]

DeathByStereo23 wrote:

ESP Maniac wrote:

I think ESP have discontinued this model because its not on the ESP website anymore


Now ESP has upgraded it to the H-1001....not sure of the differences between the H-1000 and the 1001

the 1001 has a way uglier headstock
i really hope esp will bring back the H-1000 with that "old" headstock

[Blanco]

the 1001 has the worst headstock, they sorta just sheared the top of it off at random angles. yes this does come with emgs, the black version has emgs and the amber has seymours but there was a red version of this. it had a flame maple and seymours.

does anyone know if the h series use the same profiles as the mh series cause i play a mh250nt which looks basically the same as the h series just with a different headstock and pickups. i wondered if its neck profile or body depth were different cause i really like the h headstock (the old ones) and love my mh casue it plays sooo nice

[ESP_Shreder]

It really is not that different at all Blanco. The h-1001 is not nearly as good. They got rid of the amazing tuners, the color choices suck and the headstock doesn't fit the body at all. Mine was loaded with Duncans as I said in the review and I still stand by that the Jazz pickup really makes this guitar a lot more versatile than you think. Granted it's nothing like Santana clean, but it works rather well and with a decent amp (btw I think mine sucks now) it can be great for a lot of styles of music.