Video Review:
Is the ESP LTD EC-1000T CTM the best Les Paul-style guitar for the money?
I’ve been playing mine for 5 months now, and it’s time to share my thoughts. In this review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about this guitar, from its stunning looks and impressive features to its versatile sound and surprising affordability.
First Impressions: A Real Head-Turner
This guitar is absolutely beautiful! The flame maple top on my See Thru Cherry model is mesmerizing, with a unique vertical grain pattern that really sets it apart. The custom multi-ply binding adds a touch of elegance, and the overall aesthetic is simply stunning. However, tops will vary per guitar.
Built for Comfort and Playability
The EC-1000T CTM is a “traditional” full-thickness guitar, similar to a Les Paul Standard. Now, if you’re new to these types of guitars, “full-thickness” refers to the depth of the guitar’s body. It’s thicker than many other electric guitars, which gives it a certain feel and sound. But don’t worry, this one is chambered, meaning it has hollow sections inside the body. This reduces the weight and makes it more comfortable to play.
The gloss finish on the body is beautiful, while the satin finish on the neck makes it incredibly smooth and comfortable to play.
The set-thru neck construction provides excellent sustain and resonance. Now, if you’re not familiar with this, a set-thru neck means the neck extends deep into the body of the guitar, kind of like a hybrid between a bolt-on neck (where the neck is screwed onto the body) and a neck-through design (where the neck runs through the entire length of the guitar). This gives you the best of both worlds: the stability and sustain of a neck-through, but with a bit more snap and attack.
LTD calls the neck profile a “Thin U” – it’s not too thin, not too thick, just right. The ebony fretboard is a premium touch, and the 13.78-inch fretboard radius makes it ideal for both chords and lead playing. If you’re new to this, the fretboard radius basically refers to the curvature of the fretboard. Imagine a circle sliced in half – the bigger that circle, the flatter the fretboard. This one is relatively flat, which some people say makes it easier to play fast lead lines. But honestly, you can play any style on it! And let’s not forget those stainless steel frets compared to nickel frets. However, people have been using those for years, so unless you are a super heavy player, it’s a nice feature but you’d probably get by otherwise.
Tonal Versatility with Fishman Fluence
This guitar is equipped with Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic Humbuckers. These pickups are incredibly versatile, offering a wide range of tones from sparkling cleans to crunchy overdrive. The push-pull controls allow you to access two distinct voices for each pickup, giving you even more tonal options.
While these pickups excel at vintage and some modern tones, I found that they can get a bit fuzzy with extremely high gain. If you’re primarily playing with an overtly amount of distortion, you might prefer the Fishman Fluence Moderns. Of course, this is just my experience, and other players might have different opinions. It ultimately depends on your playing style, amp settings, and the specific genres you play.
High-Quality Hardware and Construction
The EC-1000T CTM boasts impressive hardware, including a TonePros locking bridge and LTD locking tuners for exceptional tuning stability. It’s also worth noting that my guitar is made in Korea, which is generally known for producing high-quality instruments. Some models can be made in Indonesia, where quality has improved over the years, but I’d personally still shoot for a Korean model. The overall build quality is excellent, with only a couple of minor cosmetic blemishes here and there. I did notice a tiny spec of red paint and a small spot on the fretboard with some slight grinding, but these are purely cosmetic and don’t affect playability at all.
A Les Paul Competitor?
Now, the big question: how does this LTD compare to a Gibson Les Paul? Spec-wise, it definitely holds its own against a Les Paul Standard. With its impressive features and playability, this guitar punches well above its weight class. If you’re looking for a Les Paul-style guitar but don’t want to break the bank, the EC-1000T CTM is a fantastic alternative.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking, “But Gibsons are made in ‘Merica, so they must have better quality control.” And while there’s definitely a certain pride that comes with American-made instruments, and even I will often opt for American or Japanese models first… this EC-1000T CTM is still pretty nice. The craftsmanship is usually spot on, and the attention to detail is fantastic.
Bottom line: if you want a Les Paul-style guitar but don’t necessarily need it to be a Gibson, this ESP LTD is an incredible option. You get amazing quality, fantastic features, and a unique look, all at a more affordable price. It’s a win-win!
Price and Value
This EC-1000T CTM typically retails for around $1399, which is a great price considering all the features you get. I was fortunate enough to find mine for $1199, which was a great deal! And while it doesn’t come with a case, it comes with a lot of high end features.
Final Verdict
The ESP LTD EC-1000T CTM is a stunning and versatile guitar that offers exceptional value for the money. It’s well-crafted, plays great, and sounds fantastic. Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned pro, or simply a Les Paul enthusiast looking for an alternative, this guitar is definitely worth checking out.
Links
Click here to check out LTD EC1000T CTM on Reverb
Buying from this link will give me a small kickback (at no extra cost to you) and supports the website.
Official Website: https://www.espguitars.com/products/24223-ec-1000t-ctm
