The M-50 offers 2 humbucking pickups, poplar body, tremolo bridge, a reversed headstock and an incredibly fast maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets. All at a price that everyone can enjoy.
Featured review by:
HIM%(^, on february 08, 2006 5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: coffey music
Features: For years ESP has been researching better methods of guitar building to bring the finest quality, low-priced guitar on the market. They have succeeded and the result is the M50. The M50 offers two humbucking pickups, poplar body, a reversed headstock and an incredibly fast maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard & 22 XJ frets for a price that all can enjoy. // 8
Sound: I play mostly metal, Metallica, Pantera. But I do play some shred, Vai, Sach, Petrucci. And some bluesy stuff too. It handels it all pretty decently. It doesn't have any fancy passive pickups or emgs so the sound isn't amazing but for a cheap guitar, it sounds pretty damn good. I run it through a really shitty (to me) Marshal 30DFX. So it doesn't have a full sound. It's a little hollow. No matter what pedals you put on it. But it is the amp, not the gutiar. I ran it through a Mesa Dual Rectifier at the shop where I take lessons and it sounded amazing. On the Mesa the distortion was the classic passive sound. A little dirty but little noise. The clean sounds great for a cheap guitar. My pedal rig is a DigiTech Death Metal to a Danelectro Chorus pedal which cleans up all the rediculous fuzz that the metal pedal has because I have to use the metal due to the lack of good distortion on my Marshall. Marshall sucks. Yes I said it. It does sound good when I do that though. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: The action came perfect. This is the guitar I started playing with and it was my frist guitar. It's perfect. The neck is very skinny and much faster then most other guitars of tis price. I put some D'Addario 12's on there so I had to readjust the nut but other then that it came very well. The whammy bar is a little stiff but its nothing that some practice cant fix. The finish on mine is flat black so it keeps its color through thick and thin. // 9
Reliability & Durability: This guitar will last through anything. I've dropped it numerous times. I've had it for about 2 years and the finish is still the same as when I got it. No dents, or any other major things of that such. The strap buttons are great, the strap has never came off in the 2 years I've had it. I would and have played this guitar in a live gig with out a backup. // 10
Impression: For some reason I just absoultly love this guitar. It's such a great guitar to learn on and even after I've gotten other guitars, I still go back to it. I custimized an ESP, and I designend a lot of it based to that guitar. I love the neck for some reason. It fits my hands perfectly and I can play super fast on it. It handles drop tunes with the best of them. I wish it had EMGs, and a floyd rose on it, but you can't have everything. If someone stole it, I would chase them down, cut their balls off with a dull penknife and shoot them in the head. I would definatly buy this guitar again. If they made it in some other colors, I would buy multiple colors. it is the cheapest guitar that ESP makes but is beyond better then any guitar in that price range or maybe a little higher. This is an alaround great guitar. It handles everthing well and it isnt extreme. Go out and buy it. It's very cheap. // 10
Reviewed by:
S1dewinder, on august 05, 2006 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 175
Purchased from: B&C Music, Pittston, PA
Features: This guitar was made in 2006 in Indonesia. It has 22 jumbo frets with a rosewood fingerboard. The body wood is Agathis and has a maple neck. It has a blueish grey satin finish on the body, black hardware, and a black satin finish on the front of the head. It has a body shape similar to a Strat, but the edges are rougher and there are several shape differences. It has a tele-style bridge. It has passive electronics. On the guitar, there is one volume knob, one tone knob, and a 3 way Switch. To pick up the sound, it has two stock ESP humbuckers. The tuners are non-locking standard ESP tuners. What I like about this guitar is that it is different from other guitars. While on a Stratocaster, the tuners are located pointing upwards, this guitar is the opposite. The tuners are in row facing downward. The only downside is that it only has 22 frets and has passive electronics. // 8
Sound: Soundwise, this guitar is pretty good. Although it is a lower end guitar and has stock ESP pickups, it still puts out a great sound. I use it for punk rock music, and it suits what I use it for. It has very little background noise. While the guitar is made by a company that provides for many heavy metal guitarists and bassits, this guitar has a wide variety of sound. It works well for blues, straight out rock, metal, and punk. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: I have no complaints about the action on this guitar. It seems that this is a quality guitar that was made with care. The pickups and action are both set up to near perfection. The top and bridge are both routed correctly. As far as I can tell, this guitar has no flaws. It works well for me and hopefully will for a long time. // 10
Reliability & Durability: This guitar will definately withstand live playing (as long as guitar-smashing isn't included). The hardware seems like it will last for a while, although I could see myself replacing the pickups eventually. The strap buttons are rock solid. I would definately depend on this guitar for playing gigs. // 9
Impression: For the style of music that I play (punk/rock), this guitar is well suited for it. But that doesnt't mean that this is just good for punk. This guitar would be fine for metal, thrash, emo, blues, or even jazz. What I love about this guitar is it's look. It isn't just another Strat copy that you find at every single music store you go into. The body and head both have a more aggressive apperance to them. The only thing that I don't like is that it only has 22 frets. Sometimes when I do improptu guitar leads while jamming, a 23rd and 24th fret would pay off. Besides the 24 frets, I really wish this had an active EQ. While I get along fine without it, the EQ would really help to get that "all out" sound. If you are looking for a relitively cheap guitar, but still want something that will be worth it, you should consider the LTD M-50. It was well worth every dollar I spent on it. // 9
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on february 10, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Features: This is a good starter guitar. It is made in Korea, with 22 frets, an alder body, a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, two ESP LTD Himbuckers, and has 1 tone knob, 1 volume knob, and a 3 way Switch. A good, basic starter guitar. // 8
Sound: This guitar doesn't suit me perfectly, but it was my first guitar and I didn't really know what I wanted. I bought this two years ago. It has a fairly versatile sound, but I myself would like a single coil or coil tap. Although this could be easily fitted, I don't have enough money to get one professionally fitted, and I am not skilled enough to fit one myself. This guitar does not, however, follow ESP's heavy metal reputation. While this guitar sounds great playing metal, it sounds equally good in a clean tone, although as I said, I would prefer single coils for a bluesy/jazzy sound. The pickups are what you'd expect from a beginner guitar. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar is minimally finished. The factory setup is ok, but the action was a little high for me, so I got it lowered and set up at my local guitar shop (for free first time). The only problem I have had with this guitar is: Jack Socket Continually Comes Loose (although this is easy for even a beginner to fix) // 7
Reliability & Durability: I have done some small gigs with this guitar. It has good solid strap buttons, but I would recommend straplocks anyway. After four years, the finish is fine (although I don't tend to sweat on stage) and, although there are a few chips in the wood, that is to be expected from a beginner, and I have not put any in it for at least two years now. // 9
Impression: This was a great start to guitar for me. It feels really nice, it's easy to play, and it looks cool. However, if you play many different types of music, I would not recommend it. Buy a Squire (or even Fender MIM) Superstrat. They are a similar price, and the two single coils will increase your options to no end. I have recently brought a new guitar (A PRS Swamp Ash Special, which I have also reviewed) and while I will not be using this guitar much more, it will always be special to me. It has been resigned to my backup now, but this is a good start for players with a rock and metal based repertoire. // 8
Reviewed by:
Lord Of Chaos, on october 21, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: € 200
Purchased from: Musique Point Com (France)
Features: The ESP LTD M-50 has a basswood body, a thin maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard with 22 XJ frets, the whole in a bolt-on construction. The "Strat" body has a satin black (or blue) finish. The bridge is Standard tremolo (but even without a Floyd Rose you can do crazy things). Hardware is chrome, the guitar has got passive ESP pickups (humbuckers, one at the bridge the other at the neck) Who already rock, but with an EMG-81 and EMG-85 configuration the sound really kills your neighbours. It has a volume and a tone knob, a 3-way toggle and ESP tuners (not locking). // 9
Sound: I mostly play metal through my little Roland Cube 20X, but the M-50 is very versatile: it can play mostly anything from blues to heaviest styles. It has a good sound, not noisy but very clear (yeah except on full gain that's obvious). I love it because you can easily play rhythm riffs and melodies without having to change completely your effects or amp settings, always having that clarity it the sound, even playing black metal or so. Still, If you can't play and you hope the noise can help you or if you want a strong low boost sound, turn the tone knob down and your playing gets really thick (best with a dirty fuzz effect). // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: As I got my M-50 I didn't know very much about guitars, it was my first one. Though I know now it was perfectly adjusted and I never have trouble playing: the guitar stays in tune even if you use your vibrato a lot or shred like a madman. Not one part of the hardware got oxidized in two years (very hard years for this axe). // 10
Reliability & Durability: This is definitely a good guitar for indoor or Live performance and it will surely last a long time (I dropped it once on the floor and NOTHING not a scratch or break). It's perfect for gigs as I played a few times Live in a small room wih a bunch of friends listening (and kicking you in their pogos, these weird people... ). The finish will surely last a long time (and maybe a second drop on the floor, sorry but I don't want to try). // 9
Impression: Finally, I would say this is the perfect guitar for beginners, especially if you're plying heavy. For lead guitarists, it won't be enough after years f practicing because you may need a Floyd Rose or 24 frets, which the M-50 doesn't feature. For me, it's perfect because I mostly play the rhythm parts with my band and for lead parts except solos it suit me perfectly too. I practice a lot with this guitar and it hasnever disappointed me. You can do so many thins with this simple guitar it would be a sin just to buy anoher one and never to use it again. If it was stolen or lost, first I'd run amok till the guy takes his Bullet (no I'm kidding, I would buy the same one again it's the second part of myself). Personally, my wish is to get an LTD Alexi-600 but not because this guitar is too bad for me (more because of the awesome features and for the style), if I can't get the other one the M-50 is still the best guitar I played on so far. There is nothing this guitar hasn't but should have. It is exactly what I wanted to have before I started playing, it still suits me now and certainly will continue to.
If you don't need the very best features all included in the same guitar and want a reliable instrument you will keep for a long time (and if you don't want to buy a new axe every few years), this is a very good choice. If you like heavy music, this is the perfect choice and it should suit you for any kind of playing. // 10
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on october 03, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 212.8
Features: This particular ESP LTD M-50 was made in Indonesia in 2006. The agathis body is solid but relatively light (mine is in a nice satin blue). The bodys shape is Strat-style but with right angled edges instead of rounded to give it an edgey look (goes with the sound too) The body houses two stock ESP passive humbuckers and a black chrome ESP Vintage tremolo bridge. To change the sound there are two black chrome knobs, one for volume, one for tone, and a three way pickup Switch. It has twenty-two extra jumbo frets on a rosewood fingerboard. At the end of the neck is a reverse headstock with non-locking black chrome tuners. The guitar came with two allen keys, but unfortunately for me, was missing the tremolo arm. // 9
Sound: I mainly play metal but also classic and heavy rock, this guitars warm open sound suits it very well. The pickups are cheap but for the price you paying for the guitar it doesn't matter, besides you can upgrade them later. It handles los of distortion very well and with hardly any background noise. It can make a variety of sounds but most definately suited to metal/rock/punk more than anything else, which is fine by me. Also on a clean amp setting it provides a very warm and rich tone. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: When I recieved this guitar it came perfectly set up, not a drop out of place. Low action complementing the fast neck. The quality of everything is absoloutely flawless. I didn't have to put new strings on it or anything. The intonation is also so much better than most other guitars I've played. // 10
Reliability & Durability: No-one should play Live without a backup because absoloutely anyhting could happen, but I'm so confident in this guitar that I would. It seems like it'll last for ages and could take a fair drop, really solidly made. The paint ain't going anywhere soon either. // 10
Impression: Basically, in my opinion, this guitar will never be worth more than $500 (AU) but for its price you'll never find a guitar so well put together if you play metal or heavy rock. If it were solen/lost I'd be back in the shop with the cash already on the table for a new one, but in black. Can't think of anything I really have a problem with on this guitar, probably the pickups but they'll get swapped sooner or later. Note that all my ratings are relative to the price. Thank you ESP. // 10
Reviewed by:
DarkValo666, on february 25, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 226.8
Purchased from: eBay
Features: This is the M-50 by LTD. I don't know what year it was made exactly, but it must've been about 2000 or something like that. It was made in Indonesia. It has got 22 jumbo frets on a rosewood fingerboard, the body is made of basswood and the neck is of maple. The body style reminds of the famous superstrat style. You'll find an ESP Vintatge Tremolo on the bridge, as well as two ESP LH-150 passive humbuckers. It has got a volume and a tone knob, which are next to a 3-way switch. The tuners are also made by ESP themselves, and are non-locking. It also has got a reversed headstock, which in my opinion is very cool. // 9
Sound: As almost every ESP user I play rock and metal with this guitar, and surprise it fits it perfectly. It provides great sustain, and even though you don't have the legendary EMG pickups in it, it sounds great! I plugged it into my amp (a Dimavery GA-15, which really sucks) and I was really surprised. I always had known that ESPs sound great, but I never played one myself, so I was like:"Wow, it sounds even better than I thought!" There is hardly any background noise. Of course it's made for metal, but if you try a little with the pickups and the tone knob, you can even play some nixe blues (rock) with it. The clean sound is good as well, but I would choose a Les Paul for clean and blues sounds. And I would replace the pickups with EMG os Seymour Duncans. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: I got this guitar from eBay, so I can't tell too much about the setup. But I once played it at a local music store, and it seemed to be quite nice. The strings are the only point I would have to complain at. They could be a little closer to the fretboard, and you have to push the tremolo really hard to get some effect. But that's the only thing I have to complain at. // 9
Reliability & Durability: I haven't played Live with it, for my band is still busy with songwriting, but I believe that this guitar would stand it with no need for a backup (I would take one wit hme though, just in case). The strap buttons are very solid, the scews are very hard to remove. The finish will not go anywhere unless the guitar falls on the edge of the stage. This perhaps did happen to the previous user, because it has got a little paint off, but that doesn't disturb me. Vintage feeling, man. // 9
Impression: After all I can say, this is a great guitar. It's very cheap (about 220€, if you buy a new one), but it has got a great sound and it's very solid. I've been playing for two years, this is the first decent guitar I have. I also have a Dimavery PS-522, which isn't as half as good as this guitar here. I would like to have a FR on it, as well asl EMGs, but it wouldn't be as cheap then. // 9
Weybl Himself
: The arse of the M series. Should have gone one step better and gotten the M-100FM. HIM%(^, I doub't you have any idea what your on about. Do you even know what "passive" means? you mention it twice in two completely different contexts. If you're gonna pretend you know what your talking about, do it right. Second, it's an Agathis body, check the website, whoever told you it's poplar is wrong, ESP have never used poplar. POSTED: 04/20/2006 - 06:22 am / quote|
HIM%(^
: ^^^sir
ive been playing guitar for 4 years. i konw what i am talking about. i know what passive means. i didnt even mean to say that it wasnt an agathis body. ug did it for me. this is not my only guitar as i said before. it was my FIRST guitar. i have a mh 400, an ibanez rg, and a jackson rhodes. do YOU know what your talking about. and when did i say it was popular. POSTED: 04/22/2006 - 10:01 pm / quote|
HIM%(^
: ive been playing guitar for about 4 years. again. this is not the only guitar i have. i have a custom esp, a mh 400, an ibanez rg, and a jackson rhodes. i know what passive means. i meant that its the classic tone that you get from a guitar with passive pickups. passive pickups-seymore duncan, dimarzio-active pickups-emg. i know what they are. i didnt even say what type of body it is. UG does that for you. maybe if you werent such an ignorant arse hole you would konw that. this was my first guitar, i didnt need to get a step up. i have recently bought that rectifier and put emgs in that guitar. i know what im talking about, do you? i suggest you never, ever, speak again you ignorant little prick. do some reasearch. and go stick a broom up your arse. POSTED: 04/22/2006 - 11:05 pm / quote|
ive been playing guitar for about 4 years. again. this is not the only guitar i have. i have a custom esp, a mh 400, an ibanez rg, and a jackson rhodes. i know what passive means. i meant that its the classic tone that you get from a guitar with passive pickups. passive pickups-seymore duncan, dimarzio-active pickups-emg. i know what they are. i didnt even say what type of body it is. UG does that for you. maybe if you werent such an ignorant arse hole you would konw that. this was my first guitar, i didnt need to get a step up. i have recently bought that rectifier and put emgs in that guitar. i know what im talking about, do you? i suggest you never, ever, speak again you ignorant little prick. do some reasearch. and go stick a broom up your arse.
All I said was that you used 'passive' in 2 different contexts, calm down. And even in your long-winded double response you missed the fact that the MAIN difference between passive and active pickups is the powered preamp, hence the 9-volt battery. And for the record I've been playing for 8 years and have played in a band that's opened for Frenzal Rhomb and Bodyjar (Australian) and have modified the hell out of every guitar I own, so yes, I DO know what I'm talking about.
Now take a valium and chill. POSTED: 06/24/2006 - 06:41 am / quote|
Leoshik
: Hehe ... You guys are getting a little too heated in this discussion. I have to agree with the fact that the M-50 is a splendid starter guitar. It is solid, reliable has good sound for the price and will rpetty much (i my experience) kick the shit out of any other guitar priced in the same range. I have been playing for 12 years casually. I bought this guitar because i wanted to try an ESP and not spend an amount of money i would regret. I realized that i mad a mistake by not going one or more steps up. However, now i have an EMG 60 and 81 in the mail and putting on some Dean Martin - Blue Steels on it. I think that with some customization work these babies could easily turn into their $700+ counterparts. But hey, that's just my opinion - nothing to pull my spleen out thru my nose over POSTED: 11/23/2006 - 01:57 am / quote|
seokorn
: is it just mine. but mine has a black finish and it gets scracthed pretty easily POSTED: 01/26/2007 - 03:57 pm / quote|
Gilbert93
: i definitely think this guitar has one of the best necks i have ever played
Motukka
: pwned D: "ive been playing guitar for 4 years. i konw what i am talking about. " yes, and i have been playing 15 years. and there are many people who have played over 20 years or 30 years, if i were you, i would shut my **** up. POSTED: 04/27/2007 - 06:18 pm / quote|
zquizo4life
: I have one or at least what is left of it. I installed an Earvana nut, EMG's HZ4 in the neck and HZ4A (alnico in the bridge), changed the coil knobs for 2 coil tap to split the coils and now I have a guitar that if I look around for another with the same features will cost more than $700 dolars. Neck is awesome in this guitar and like someone said for someone who is starting this is a GREAT buy. The only thing that i would change is a widder neck for the ones like my self that have wide fingers beside that you can learn with it and modify it to have the axe you dream about. A guy named Kerry King once said that a guitar is just a piece of wood with electronics in it that produces the sound you like and if it doesn't you have to tweak it until you get what you want. Enough said! POSTED: 06/28/2007 - 06:27 pm / quote|
warnerve666
: i baught this guitar becuase of the incredible price and i was in despret need of a back up guitar because of alot of gigs my band was about to do. this guitar is incredable for its price. the only downfall is the pickups and it doesnt have a floyd rose. although this is all about to change because im going to put emgs on it and possibly install a lisenced floyd rose on it once i have money to throw around. but hey itsw my opinion andi belieeve with a little tweaking this guitar will be beyond amazing. it will sit perfecctly fine with my ibanez rg350dx and my future razorback! POSTED: 11/18/2007 - 10:22 pm / quote|
LTDax260
: i like esp so much but this one it's not so good POSTED: 12/05/2007 - 12:35 pm / quote|
yo yo
: man this guitar is gud! i bought it for 250 euros... and thats damn cheap. It sux when u dnt use a distortion pedal, but when u use one, u can make the sounds of Rhodes. I have a black version of M-50 and it rox my world. btw, My band bought it for me i use a "M-104 Distortion+" by MXR and it is simply amazing. POSTED: 01/19/2008 - 03:40 pm / quote|
Latin_Morello
: lol i got this for 50 bucks on music123 because of a typo i assume, i bought 2 and traded one in for an rp150... still an awesome guitar POSTED: 03/29/2008 - 01:04 pm / quote|
yo yo
: -_-;; damnit... POSTED: 04/05/2008 - 10:48 am / quote|
gravensuicide
: ^seokorn: its just the finish period, not the color. ive got the blue-ish/grey finish and my pick has scratched the hell out of it from the years of use it has gotten. Ive had it for 2 years and i bought it used, so im not sure how old it is, but my pickups seem to be dying out because its loosing its definition it had. POSTED: 09/28/2008 - 03:55 pm / quote|
ZaÐ
: Don t even worth 200$.Crappy pu and really not well builded..if someone thinks that by changing pu could have a cool guitar,is incredibly wrong POSTED: 10/21/2008 - 02:39 pm / quote|
ive been playing guitar for about 4 years. again. this is not the only guitar i have. i have a custom esp, a mh 400, an ibanez rg, and a jackson rhodes. i know what passive means. i meant that its the classic tone that you get from a guitar with passive pickups. passive pickups-seymore duncan, dimarzio-active pickups-emg. i know what they are. i didnt even say what type of body it is. UG does that for you. maybe if you werent such an ignorant arse hole you would konw that. this was my first guitar, i didnt need to get a step up. i have recently bought that rectifier and put emgs in that guitar. i know what im talking about, do you? i suggest you never, ever, speak again you ignorant little prick. do some reasearch. and go stick a broom up your arse.
All I said was that you used 'passive' in 2 different contexts, calm down. And even in your long-winded double response you missed the fact that the MAIN difference between passive and active pickups is the powered preamp, hence the 9-volt battery. And for the record I've been playing for 8 years and have played in a band that's opened for Frenzal Rhomb and Bodyjar (Australian) and have modified the hell out of every guitar I own, so yes, I DO know what I'm talking about.
Now take a valium and chill.
Hey you also said that him%(^ said that it was a poplar, but he never said that, the pre-filled info BEFORE his review says its poplar! POSTED: 11/11/2008 - 01:32 pm / quote|
Tris35
: which to buy ltd m50 or the ibanez grg170dx ? POSTED: 11/12/2008 - 01:20 pm / quote|
wbjackson517
: I figured out that I am going to buy this instrument after going through hundreds of lefty guitars. I have al so figured out if you read enough good reviews on ANY guitar, there will be bad ones no matter what it is. I have read bad reviews on Gibson Les Pauls. I am a beginner and I am not gonna drop any more than 200 bucks on my first guitar. After I learn to play, then I'll drop the cheddar. I do not think that any beginner should pay a ton of money for something they do not know they can play or even wanto play POSTED: 01/02/2009 - 01:19 pm / quote|
Marnz
: I think this guitar is awesome. I own one and its better than the EC-100 and the Viper-100 by far. This guitar isnt just fir beginners. Ive been playing for 2 years and its the second guitar i have owned and my guitar teachher said if i dop some EMG's into it will sound just like Kirks (Ive played Kirks from his aussie tour) POSTED: 01/12/2009 - 02:26 am / quote|
I think this guitar is awesome. I own one and its better than the EC-100 and the Viper-100 by far. This guitar isnt just fir beginners. Ive been playing for 2 years and its the second guitar i have owned and my guitar teachher said if i dop some EMG's into it will sound just like Kirks (Ive played Kirks from his aussie tour)
sewoo55
: a great guitar to start learning guitar with.
however, i strongly discourage you from using a whammy bar on this guitar... i used it too much and the part where te whammy screws into the hole is broken and the bar broke in half... now i cant use the whammy again cuz its stuck in there... POSTED: 05/06/2009 - 05:06 am / quote|
however, i strongly discourage you from using a whammy bar on this guitar... i used it too much and the part where te whammy screws into the hole is broken and the bar broke in half... now i cant use the whammy again cuz its stuck in there...
As do I - I worte one of the reviews (Reviewed by: unregistered, on february 10, 2009) and I forgot to mention that! POSTED: 06/08/2009 - 02:06 pm / quote|
/ my profile 
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