My Path to the SN-1000HT
I was on a Fender kick but wanted to get into some higher gain pickups, so the natural option was to go after a Charvel since Fender owns them. However, I just couldn’t make up my mind. Then, this ESP LTD SN-1000HT Fire Blast showed up at my local guitar shop, and it was different enough to really catch my eye. After doing some research, I found the specs were top-notch and everything I was looking for. After getting a little bit of a discount, I pulled the trigger. It actually started my love for ESP guitars.
Video Review
Specs (Fire Blast):
- Body: Swamp Ash
- Neck: Roasted Maple (Bolt-on, Thin U profile)
- Fingerboard: Macassar Ebony (300-400mm Compound Radius)
- Frets: 22 XJ Stainless Steel (Scalloped 17-22)
- Pickups: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers (Alnico neck, Ceramic bridge)
- Fishman Fluence Modern pickups offer two distinct voicings per pickup. This includes a modern, high-output sound and a more classic, passive-style tone. These voices are accessed via push-pull controls.
- Bridge: Hipshot Hardtail with String-Thru
- Tuners: LTD Locking
- Nut: Bone
- Scale Length: 25.5″
Other Variants:
It’s worth noting that the SN-1000HT series also includes the Purple Blast and Silver Blast models. The Purple Blast shares the same high-quality specs but features Seymour Duncan Sentient/Pegasus pickups and currently retails for around $1099. The newer Silver Blast variant retails for approximately $1499, with the primary difference being its Silver Blast finish, a Black Bone nut, and Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Black Nickel pickups. The Fire Blast, the model I reviewed, currently retails for around $1399.
Playability and Tone:
When I first played the SN-1000HT Fire Blast at the guitar shop, it felt amazing. The compound radius neck was nice, and the neck fit my hand pretty well. I liked the more modern sound it had, and the aesthetic was great, a little bit edgier than some of the things I was seeing, which really attracted me to it. As this was my first guitar with Fishman Fluence pickups, I thought they sounded great at the time. The guitar’s setup out of the box was also impressive and it held up well over time, requiring minimal adjustments.
The roasted maple neck offers a smooth and comfortable playing experience. The guitar features scalloped upper frets (17-22), a feature designed for enhanced bending and vibrato. While I found them interesting, I was somewhat indifferent to the scalloped frets. I don’t particularly prefer them over standard frets, but I suspect I’m not using them right. They are a cool feature, but not something I would actively seek out in future guitars.
However, for some reason, the Fishman Fluence pickups just didn’t quite resonate with me in this guitar after a while, even with the various push-pull configurations to access different voicings. I bought a couple of other guitars in the past year that have Fishman Fluence pickup. They include a EC-1000T CTM (with Fishman Fluence Open Core Classics) and an Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy (with Fishman Fluence pickups voiced for the Prophecy) and I prefer the sound of those. In particular, I find the Prophecy’s pickups more to my liking.
It’s possible that the difference in sound is due to the construction differences between the guitars. The Epiphone, with its set-in neck and different body construction, might contribute to a different tonal character compared to the bolt-on construction of the SN-1000HT. As my playing style is primarily punk/rock, my tonal evaluation focused on how the guitar performed with higher gain and rock-oriented playing, rather than exploring its full potential for genres like blues or jazz.
Pros:
- High-quality components (roasted maple, stainless steel frets, Fishman Fluence).
- Excellent playability.
- Versatile tone.
- Excellent value when purchasing used.
- Looks great and modern, especially for a rock/metal aesthetic (if that’s your thing).
- Guitar was set up very well out of the box, and the setup proved to be quite stable over time.
- Finish, while textured, was flawless.
Cons:
- The textured swamp ash finish, while unique, may not appeal to all players.
- Lack of a traditional tremolo system, which could be a drawback for those seeking a classic Strat-style experience.
- Limited color options.
- Active pickups require battery changes, which some players find inconvenient.
- The sound of active pickups, while versatile, isn’t universally preferred.
- Poor resale value.
My Honest Opinion:
- While the guitar is insanely specced and arrived with a flawless finish and a great setup out of the box (which held up well), over time, a personal preference for other guitars emerged.
- Despite the SN-1000HT’s impressive features, I ultimately preferred the overall experience of playing my Fender Ultra and Aerodyne Special when I wanted to play a Stratocaster.
- Though this guitar doesn’t quite resonate with me, I’m still a huge fan of ESP and LTD. I love their EC-1000 series and the ESP E-II Eclipses. So this guitar is probably actually great, but my preference tends to lie with set-neck, neck-through, or single-cut bodies for their resonance and sustain.
- After owning the guitar for a year, unfortunately the guitar has fallen out of my rotation and doesn’t get the play time it deserves.
Used Market Value:
One of the most compelling aspects of the SN-1000HT series is its value on the used market. These guitars can often be found on platforms like Reverb for anywhere between $800 and $1000. This is a steal, considering the high-end specifications. It’s puzzling why these guitars aren’t more popular, perhaps the swamp ash body’s aesthetic is the main turn off.
Conclusion:
The ESP LTD SN-1000HT Fire Blast is a meticulously crafted guitar with impressive features and versatile tones. While subjective preferences may vary, the guitar’s objective quality is undeniable. The value proposition, especially when purchasing used, is exceptional.
If you’re drawn to the Strat-style shape but want a more modern and less traditional experience, and if you can find one used, the SN-1000HT is a compelling option. It offers features often found on guitars aimed at modern rock and metal players, putting it in competition with brands like Charvel, Schecter, Ibanez, and Jackson. Compared to a Fender, it’s less about vintage vibe and more about high-performance. While the SN-1000HT is definitely geared towards rock and metal with its powerful humbuckers, its Fishman Fluence pickups are designed to offer multiple voicings, enabling it to handle other genres reasonably well. However, achieving a truly traditional jazz or blues tone, for example, might require some extra tweaking of amp and pedal settings.
The SN-1000HT Fire Blast is a modern, high-performance guitar with a striking aesthetic that’s well worth considering, especially if you can find one used for $800-$1000.
Check out new and used models over at Reverb:
LTD SN-1000HT Reverb Link
Buying from this link will give me a small kickback (at no extra cost to you) and supports the website.