Amott Ninja question

[Genius Gone Insane]

http://espguitars.com/guitars_amott.html

(warning: be sure to have plenty of napkins, paper towels, or even socks around you when viewing this--you'll need to clean up after creaming in your pants.)

Question: With all these new ESPs, I'm seeing a huge price difference between the high end and the LTD versions. And then I look at the specs and I can't find $2,600 worth of differences there. Anyone want to explain what the difference is?

*My apologies if this has been covered before*

 

[EtherForBreakfast]

Hello, miss winner of new jersey pie eating contest, circa 1984. =>

I personally think that amott ESP is quite ugly...

I think a USA Jackson King V is fuckloads sexier... cosmetically. I dont dig pickguards, and I dont dig 3 per side headstocks.. I like 'em pointy.

As for the MASSIVE price difference.. that is a can of worms that holds many worms.

Look at that Lynch skull n snakes LTD model versus the "real" one.

They both have real floyds, one has shit pickups... i know they use the body wood called Agathis in the cheapies, but...

I nearly dumped pants when I saw that Ibenhad raised the Vai price of the Girly Flower Inlay 7VWH from 1899 to 2399. thats just sick.

Oh well.. they can laugh all the way to the bank.

It is a very valid topic of discussion.

 

[EtherForBreakfast]

All things being (not) equal between those 2... one at $4000 MSRP and one at $1400 MSRP it is very misleading. The main cosmetic and listing difference appears to be the bridge. Personally, I would probably buy the cheap one and wrench on it.

Since ESP is a Japanese company to begin with, its quite the conundrum. I guess they will chalk it up to "build quality". Also, the headstock logo... ?!?!@!@# Ever notice that the main thing that sets a Gibson apart from an Epiphone, upon initial inspection, is the headstock SHAPE? Im not sure what kind of jedi mind tricks are involved with those things. If Epiphone made Epiphone guitars with the EXACT same headstock shape as a "real" Gibson I think it would be a cool move, but they'll never do it.

ESP/LTD makes stuff that looks exactly the same. To end my ramble, I think it comes down to the devil in the details. The LTD stuff is korean and spit out real quick, not a lot of love. The ESP stuff is also made/built overseas but inspected/finished here in USA where they will reject shit that is not spot on. It's a whack ass operation, if you ask me.... I'm not sure what the reasoning is behind the 2 lines when they try to make them SO similar.

 

[xXDAMAGEDXx]

The first and biggest reason the esp version costs more is because its handmade in the custom shop from superior materials and craftmanship.
The 2nd reason is because its an Artist Sig series.

 

[006]

I would imagine the biggest difference is the name on the headstock and what that entails. ESP usually means better quality, a bigger name in this business, synonymous with years of big name artists using their products. LTD is synonymous with being the cheaper little brother to ESP. That alone makes a big difference.

Then also, I'm quite sure ESP uses woods that are at least a couple of notches above the LTD stock. I would never be afraid to strip the finish off of an ESP and give it a natural look. An LTD, on the other hand, who knows what that wood is going to look like, even if it is the same species of wood...it may not look nearly as good. Just because it looks better before the paint goes on...I would even charge more for that, it makes plenty of sense.

Not to mention the little differences here and there like the ESP having the Gotoh TOM bridge, Schaller StrapLocks, and the bone material for the nut. The LTD with probably some standard TOM bridge, standard strap buttons, and probably just a normal plastic nut.

Even with all things considered...I would still buy the fucking LTD instead. They are great guitars regardless of where the fuck they were made. Both of my LTD Deluxe series guitars play and sound just as good, if not then better than, as any of my USA guitars. I'm so sick of people bragging about USA made guitars and imports...shut up. Imports can be just as good. Wow, it says it was made in the USA...cool...you paid $1,500+ more than I did for my guitar, and got the same fucking thing. Awesome job bro! Gimme a break. Let's get realistic for a few fucking minutes. Jesus.

~006

 

[Carcass29]

From ESP's website.....Michael Amott Ninja V $3999 USD, guess I won't be getting one.

 

[006]

Or you can get the LTD version that's $1,400 and get basically the same fucking thing minus the bone nut, Gotoh TOM bridge, and Schaller strap locks. I don't see how a $100 bridge, $40 strap locks, a 10 cent decal, and a $40 nut add up to $2,600 for the difference...but hey, that's just me. Same pickups, same construction, same woods...

~006

 

[nwright]

All things being (not) equal between those 2... one at $4000 MSRP and one at $1400 MSRP it is very misleading. The main cosmetic and listing difference appears to be the bridge. Personally, I would probably buy the cheap one and wrench on it.

Since ESP is a Japanese company to begin with, its quite the conundrum. I guess they will chalk it up to "build quality". Also, the headstock logo... ?!?!@!@# Ever notice that the main thing that sets a Gibson apart from an Epiphone, upon initial inspection, is the headstock SHAPE? Im not sure what kind of jedi mind tricks are involved with those things. If Epiphone made Epiphone guitars with the EXACT same headstock shape as a "real" Gibson I think it would be a cool move, but they'll never do it.

ESP/LTD makes stuff that looks exactly the same. To end my ramble, I think it comes down to the devil in the details. The LTD stuff is korean and spit out real quick, not a lot of love. The ESP stuff is also made/built overseas but inspected/finished here in USA where they will reject shit that is not spot on. It's a whack ass operation, if you ask me.... I'm not sure what the reasoning is behind the 2 lines when they try to make them SO similar.

ESP stuff is made all in Japan, including finishing. If anything, the only thing ESP USA does is inspect and distribute. It may have been different in the days of the NY or LA custom shops, but those days have been gone for some time. And, even so, I'm pretty sure that most of the customs then were made in Japan, like now.

The biggest difference between the 2 is the Korean lines are mass produced by a factory that builds to ESP's specs, like most Korean made guitars (Epi, Schecter, etc.) using lesser woods and cheaper hardware (but some of the nicer sig's and deluxe LTD's have nice hardware). The ESP's are made in Japan, and the artist sig models are either made in the small custom shop or in another facility, but all use better quality woods and nicer hardware in some cases. Go to www.espguitars.com and check the forum titled "Official Statements from ESP" or whatever. They outline where the ESP guitars are made.

 

[Kazrog]

Owning a few LTDs and one ESP myself, I can say this...

The price difference just isn't worth it. ESPECIALLY with this guitar, since virtually all the specs of the LTD version are identical. At the end of the day, I'd be installing EMGs in this thing anyway, adding even more money to the cost. I love this guitar but I have no practical reason to buy one, so I'm holding off.

And this guitar looks cooler than any guitar Jackson has ever made, period...

 

[006]

Shane, let's be realistic here...the Jackson Rhoads slays. This guitar is just...hmm...reminds me of the Axxion signature model for Mustaine , kinda like they tried too hard on the design. But whateva.

~006

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

Shane, let's be realistic here...the Jackson Rhoads slays. This guitar is just...hmm...reminds me of the Axxion signature model for Mustaine , kinda like they tried too hard on the design. But whateva.

~006

This guitar is one of the coolest looking new guitars out there.

 

[Kazrog]

Shane, let's be realistic here...the Jackson Rhoads slays. This guitar is just...hmm...reminds me of the Axxion signature model for Mustaine , kinda like they tried too hard on the design. But whateva.

~006

I hate the Axxion too, but I think the Ninja V is classy and awesome.

The Axxion is actually based on some scribble Dave Mustaine made on a napkin in like 1983. No joke. He tried to convince Jackson to build it, but they wouldn't. That is one of the only instances of taste or class I've ever heard about from Jackson. ESP does make a few ugly guitars, but most of them are signature models for guys with terrible taste in guitars (Atreyu, Ill Niño, George Lynch's new V, etc.)

I do like the Jackson Kelly though (almost bought one a few years ago.) Not really into the half-V vibe of the Rhoads, if you're gonna have a V, go all the way. The King V was pwnage until ESP made the DV8 and improved on the basic idea.

My opinions are better than anyone else's, by the way...

 

[EtherForBreakfast]

A shining example of opinion and personal taste.

At the end of the day, $4000 MSRP is crazy gorilla math for a guitar THAT ugly! =)

 

[cobhc]

and a guitar with nothing special specs wise, i mean if it was neck thru, had an ebony fretboard, with over the frets binding, and shit, then it would be different lol

 

[Kazrog]

and a guitar with nothing special specs wise, i mean if it was neck thru, had an ebony fretboard, with over the frets binding, and shit, then it would be different lol

To be fair, set neck is arguably a better, more modern technique than neck thru, and over-the-frets binding is purely cosmetic.

If this guitar had an ebony fretboard though, it would be cooler. If I were ESP I would have made the ESP model with ebony and the LTD with rosewood - but perhaps Mike Amott doesn't like ebony as much??

 

[Fragle]

that guitar does NOT do anything for me personally. starting with the fugly shape (gimme a goddamn jackson....) all the way to the limiting 22 fret setup - i'll never buy another 22 fret guitar.

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

I pulled this from here.

Set-Neck:
Less expensive and most common. I am not a fan of this one. Are millions of Les Pauls poorly designed and wrong? (A very Definite YES !!!!) Not recommended as highly due to limited tonal abilities. (Glue does not transfer sound well.) Plus, set-neck guitars are the ones that always break easily. Gibson, McInturff, Hamer, Warrior, Epiphone, Guild, Heritage, & many more.

Neck-Thru:
Expensive and uncommon, I used to like this type the best until I discovered Deep-Set Neck Tenon. (Pictured Below)
Highly recommended, due to much more sustain, plus pickups are mounted right in the neck. BC Rich, Jackson, Rickenbacker, Jacobs, & Abstract.

I didn't realize that people would dispute so much over this.

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

I wouldn't give much credit to someone saying that Gibson break easily and Les Pauls are poorly designed and wrong...

 

[Kazrog]

Don't get me started on Ed Roman... he is a total neo-Nazi, and most of his commentary on guitar construction is specifically geared at marketing the guitars he makes.

 

[Lopes]

Don't get me started on Ed Roman... he is a total neo-Nazi, and most of his commentary on guitar construction is specifically geared at marketing the guitars he makes.

Add to that the fact that he will quickly change his opinion on certain guitars depending on what guitar companies that he has distribution deals with at a given time.