angelspade
Well-known member
In my personal opinion, I would take an upper level full thickness LTD over a Gibson studio in most cases. Many of the studios that I have tried have been suspect, while the higher end LTDs seem to be pretty consistent.
Rex Rocker
Well-known member
I haven't had a FT EC, but my low-end Gibson Tribute certainly has something going on that even my best-sounding LTD's (EC-401 and EX-401) didn't.
I wouldn't go and say it's "better", but it's certainly more like what you'd expect a Les Paul to sound like. Throatier and fatter with still some bite and snarl up top.
Honestly, though, my LTD's played and looked way better.
I wouldn't go and say it's "better", but it's certainly more like what you'd expect a Les Paul to sound like. Throatier and fatter with still some bite and snarl up top.
Honestly, though, my LTD's played and looked way better.
GJgo
Well-known member
I agree with what a couple others have said. an Eclipse is not going to sound like a LP, however a $700 Eclipse will have the fit, finish & playability of a $3000 LP. Plus the Eclipse will stay in tune. Once you get into 4-digit Eclipses, game over.
napalmdeath
Well-known member
A well set up Les Paul stays in tune just fine. The nut is the key, and whether it's cut well. LTD's have cheap plastic garbage nuts.
If you want a nice LP feeling/playing LTD, the Alex Skolnick is the one to get. Tonepros hardware and bone nut. I've had a couple of those models, and they're impressive indeed.
But, at the end of the day, it certainly doesn't have the fit/finish and playability of my LP Standard. Not even close.
Dino 939
Well-known member
My answer is “ It’s on your guitar”
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Rex Rocker
Well-known member
I guess if you like the fat necks. I honestly think the Alex Skolnic is sort of a very niche kind of guitar.
I mean, I wouldn't get an Eclipse if it weren't for the ESP Thin U. Honestly, what's the point there? You're better off with a used Gibson Studio with the 50's neck at that point. Sounds more like a Les Paul and plays more like a Les Paul.
C
chrisgr
Active member
Have you considered the Epiphone Les Paul prophecy? You can pick them up cheap on the used market and have the fishman fluence pickups. Never had a chance to try one but they seem to get good reviews.
ZEN Amps
Well-known member
No but I'm open to any and all suggestions.
I can probably pick up a LP studio pretty cheap, and might even have some EMG's in a drawer somewhere.
GJgo
Well-known member
Do you need more LPs?
Do you want a rock guitar with metal PUPs in it, or do you want a metal guitar?
Do you want a rock guitar with metal PUPs in it, or do you want a metal guitar?
ZEN Amps
Well-known member
It's for metal, but I'd like to keep it LP-esque so thought an Eclipse could scratch the itch.
And need is a word I'd rather not explore - it could lead to a spiritual awakening and a big sell off. Neither are particularly appealing.
Ventura
Well-known member
I'm a Les Paul diehard. Fact. They're "home" to me.
The only other guitar that actually kicks my ass and is a total trip to play are ESP Horizons, particularly the NT7s. Can't explain it - they feel like opposite sides of the universe when holding and playing them - but for whatever reason?? My playability transfers with ease between the two, and dare I say, I find my NT7s "easier" to play ridiculously fast and weird shit on, than my Lesters. I'm chalking it up to exceptionally fast ebony boards (which yes, my Custom Lester also have) IN ADDITION to the mondo sized SS frets (which my Lesters definitely do NOT have). Some say the nut width is a bit cramped and I can say "sure, it may feel like this at first" - but it hasn't stopped me or my playing. And for the last 4 sessions in the room, I've not even picked a Lester up - just one of my NT7s (loaded with a Duncan set of pups I scored from Prashant - Sentient/Pegasus????), split coil on the tone as a beautiful textural option, and 6+ hours per session. Not once yearning for a Lester. And every time I play an NT?? I'm very aware as to how well they laid their controls out, the woods contours, everything - they're exceptional instruments.
Imagine.
Rex Rocker
Well-known member
Well, plenty of people in metal play actual Les Pauls, so it's not like you can't. I have Fishman Fluences in mine, blacked out the hardware, and now it's a metal beast.
The thing about Eclipses and ESP's in general for me is how they feel. They kinda sorta feel familiar if you're used to Gibson 60's necks (and not as closely, but perhaps some elements from a Fender/Charvel Modern C), but they feel more modern. They don't feel like Ibanez's either. They're kinda their own thing.
Imagine the necks sorta like a sleeker, slightly narrower Gibson 60's with HUGE frets and impeccable fretwork. Same sort of quality and playabiity as you'd expect from Ibanez Prestige, only on a completely different neck profile that's thin and comfy, but not flat or paper thin either. But more along the lines of impeccable build quality instead of the hand-made mojo that Gibsons have.
They don't sound bad either. Honestly, the good ones are not far off from actual Les Pauls, but there's still something that's unmistakably Les Paul about a Les Paul. If you want something that does a good Les Paul-ish sound impersonation, but that plays like how a modern sports car drives, then that's an Eclipse.
The thing about Eclipses and ESP's in general for me is how they feel. They kinda sorta feel familiar if you're used to Gibson 60's necks (and not as closely, but perhaps some elements from a Fender/Charvel Modern C), but they feel more modern. They don't feel like Ibanez's either. They're kinda their own thing.
Imagine the necks sorta like a sleeker, slightly narrower Gibson 60's with HUGE frets and impeccable fretwork. Same sort of quality and playabiity as you'd expect from Ibanez Prestige, only on a completely different neck profile that's thin and comfy, but not flat or paper thin either. But more along the lines of impeccable build quality instead of the hand-made mojo that Gibsons have.
They don't sound bad either. Honestly, the good ones are not far off from actual Les Pauls, but there's still something that's unmistakably Les Paul about a Les Paul. If you want something that does a good Les Paul-ish sound impersonation, but that plays like how a modern sports car drives, then that's an Eclipse.
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angelspade
Well-known member
I own two Gibson Les Paul Customs. I can say that ESP/LTD ECs are a different flavor all together....But it's a good flavor in my opinion.
Soundstorm
Well-known member
I've been using Bareknuckle Aftermaths in both my mahagany LP and my Strandberg. They're about 15k winding resistance in the bridge, but they have three strong ceramic magnets in them and it took me WAY too long to figure out that the further from the strings I set the pickups, the better they sounded. Especially with the Quad Cortex. Anyway, they're the heaviest sounding pickups I've heard yet, and I've been on the hunt for pissed off sounding pickups for years now. They have an almost chainsaw like quality to them on lower tunings with enough distortion (I'm using a VH4). Highly recommend, but fair warning they're very sensitive to height adjustments and it'll take a fair bit of dialing to get them in the sweet spot.
madrigal77
Active member
EC-1000CTM. Full thickness. Stainless frets. It came with direct mount Fishmans but installed pickup rings and an EMG 57/66 set. It's not as well built as my standard series Eclipse, but it honestly sounds and plays better.
ZEN Amps
Well-known member
Ok I tried, I really tried to buy an ESP but ending up finding a well-priced 2009 Les Paul Studio. Lightweight with ebony board, didn't know this was ever an option. Going to install EMG's and black hardware coz I like to live on the edge. If only I could play Blackened cleanly...
angelspade
Well-known member
Nice score!!! It will look great with black hardware...And BTW, it seems like only Hetfield can play Blackened the way it was recorded.
GuitarGuy08
Well-known member
Hey, I always wanted an LTD 1000 but after I found the only LP that I've ever liked, the desire has faded.
That white w ebony looks super clean and with EMG pups, it will be an absolute machine!!! Send update pics after the swap. Glad you found a new friend
RevDrucifer
Well-known member
My buddy has a Studio from ‘91, I believe, that has an ebony board. That guitar has the tiniest neck I’ve ever played on a Les Paul, to the point I’m curious if it was shaved down and refinished or not.
D
Deleted member 16554
Guest
EMG 81 in the bridge on a Eclipse, metal all day…classic 80s thrash sound for me
Check out the E-II line, cheaper than the standard ESP line but still made in Japan and off the shelf models come with a variety of high gain pickup options
Check out the E-II line, cheaper than the standard ESP line but still made in Japan and off the shelf models come with a variety of high gain pickup options