Floyd Rose question

webmiztris · Post by **webmiztris** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=516629

I've had my eye on this ESP LTD EC-1000 guitar for quite some time now. I want a guitar that will really stay in tune well, looks sharp, has great pickups (EMG 81/60 is what this model has), etc. and the reviews for the EC-1000 are great. But it says it has a "TonePros locking bridge" and "Schaller Locking tuners". So here's the total noob question....

Is this the same as a Floyd Rose type of system or is this something else? I really don't think I want the hassle of a Floyd Rose (or similar) setup....I just want a regular guitar that stays in tune well. Will this guitar work for me or is it going to be a pain in my ass?

P.S. If it IS Floyd Rose, how much of a pain in my ass is it going to be? I know drop-tuning is a major chore, but supposedly they do stay in tune better... Any other pros and cons I should know about? Anyone have an EC-1000 and, if so, do you like it?

webmiztris · Post by **webmiztris** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

OK, my internet searches seem to be telling me this is NOT a Floyd Rose type of dealie, which is good. But I'd still like to hear what you all think of the EC-1000....guess it doesn't really matter though....I'm drawn to it like a pig to shit.

VENTGtr · Post by **VENTGtr** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

Dawn,

Well, it doesn't look like they're a Floyd (Or a trem at all, actually).
Maybe just some proprietary name ESP uses for their bridges?

The locking tuners would be nice, though, ya, you'd have to loosen
the E up to drop. COULD use your current git for Drop D stuff.

In the not-so-related dept., ya, those are sharp.

orangekick · Post by **orangekick** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

The Tone Pros locking bridge is simply a better version of the standard Tuneamatic bridge that's usually on Les Pauls. The variation is that the Tone Pros bridge has set screws on the posts so that the bridge doesn't shift at all once it has been set up. It's actually a really good idea.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

Dawn, here's a photo of a TonePro's locking bridge and tailpiece:

Basically it is a Gibson style stopbar tailpiece, but it has allen screws that fasten it tight against the studs, to help promote sustain.

Here's a standard Gibson style stopbar tailpiece:

Notice the lack of set screws.

webmiztris · Post by **webmiztris** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

yeah, I'd have no problem keeping this ESP in E....I have 2 other guitars I can use for the songs we do in D and C#....

thanks for the input, guys!

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

Oh yeah, and the EC1000 rocks!! My friend has one and I'd say it is right up there in terms of quiality and playablity with and Gibson being offered recently

And it comes with EMG's, an 81 in the bridge and a 60 in the neck.
They make an EC1000 in a lefty version, and I'm seriously considering buying one.
It's definitely one of ESP's better import guitars. They have a really nice look to them also, like nice inlays,full neck and body binding, and also some killer flametop finishes on the transparent colors.

I say go for it, cause you really can't go wrong! Well, actually, I take that back. Buy a Jackson!

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

ltd's are the shit. i played one of those once, but i dunno if it was the same model number. i liked it. not a fan of the single cut bodies, though.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

I'm sure that you checked the site, but if not here goes:
http://www.espguitars.com/guitars_deluxe-ec.html

webmiztris · Post by **webmiztris** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

metalchurch, ahhhhhh, I see...thank you. I'm a dolt when it comes to this stuff. LOL! and locking tuners seem pretty kickass.....I'm going to have to buy this beast!

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

The color that I want is Vintage Black. I'm in love with this guitar, it is so badass looking. I've been wanting a LesPaul style guitar, cause everything I own are Jacksons with Floyd Rose, and I want something different.

There's a number of different finishes available actually, so I'm sure that you can find one you like. If you have seen them, what color were you gonna get?

Also, try ebay first, cause these EC1000's are selling for $900-$1,100, and you might be able to save a couple hundred bucks by shopping around first.

Here's the Vintage Black one I like:

webmiztris · Post by **webmiztris** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

I'm not a big fan of the vintage black one because I like shiny (ooh, pretty), but I did see a vintage black one on Ebay....I found plenty of others too on Ebay.....I'd probably get the shiny black one, but I like pretty much all of the colors....amber is my least favorite color guitar but if I got a good enough deal on an amber one, I'd live with it!

orangekick · Post by **orangekick** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

If you keep your eyes out, you can get actual ESP's on eBay for the same price as an LTD would be new. I had an Eclipse for a while that I paid $400 for. It was nice.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

Did you see the new STP? See Thru Purple? It's the newest color, and it was just realesed.

STB :

STG: see thru green

STBC: see thru black cherry

Black:

SW: snow white

ASB: amber sunburst

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

metalchurch wrote:
STG: see thru green

That's the same finish and color as my drums. Awesome. I vote for that one!!

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

I use TonePros stuff everywhere I can put it. The bridges and tailpieces lock to the studs in the guitar so thay can't come off. Once you have your guitar set up the way you want, you lock the bridge and tailpiece with an allen wrench and you are done.

This adds a lot of sustain over conventional parts and they are actually less hassle because the parts won't come off when you change strings.

Their Superbridge in conjunction with GraphTech String Saver Saddles is the best Tune-o-matic bridge I have ever used. I have them on my Gibson Flying V-90 and SG-I.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

After looking at those, I like the Amber Sunburst. Not only is it the nicest finish, but it has the JB/59 pickup combination and that is a more versatile setup. And look at that...its cheaper! I use the JB/Jazz pickup combination on my Gibson SG-I (wormhole not included).

EMGs are great, but they are more for hi-gain metal and don't have the dynamics of the passive pickups. Besides, I hate batteries.

webmiztris · Post by **webmiztris** » Wednesday Sep 24, 2008

Thank for all the help, fellas!

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Wednesday Sep 24, 2008

Here's the obligatory plug for Guitars 'n Stuff. Terry's the local LTD/ESP dealer. He always has a ton of LTDs and can get you whatever you need. The Korean LTDs are awesome - the playability is as good as the looks.