NEED INPUT

[GrindthatAxe]

I need to no if theres nebody that has/has played an ESP/LTD explorer and how does it compare to a Gibson Explorer. I recently purchased an LTD ex-200 (Pre gibson lawsuit). it hasnt showed up yet. i was just wondering if theres nebody out there that owns one that can tell me how different or if its not at all different than a Gibson explorer. mostly playability and weight. Im takeing into consideration that it is a bolt on neck, so less sustain is obvious. but other than that, i would greatly appreciate any type of info you have

[paul]

The LTD explorers are lighter than the Gibson by quite a bit. I personally would not buy an LTD as they are ESP's cheap version. It is like Fender having Squire as their cheap line. They are cheap import guitars so you get all the cheap hardware and cheesey electronics. I heard ESP was going to discontinue the ESP line and strictly go with the LTD line which is insane as it would be like Fender getting rid of the name Fender and going Squire for now on. (just stupid)
There really is no comparison between the LTD and the Gibson. The Gibson smokes it hands down. But they are decent for the money if that is the deciding factor in buying one but it is definetly not Gibson or even real ESP quality. When it arrives and if you don't like it sell it and get yourself a Gibson Faded explorer for right around $600. The only thing with the faded series is the thin cheap finish they put on and there is no fancy inlay work on them, but the rest is all Gibson quality.
Hope that helps you out,
Paul

[bassist_25]

it would be like Fender getting rid of the name Fender and going Squire for now on. (just stupid)

I thought it sucked when Fender decided to drop the DeArmond line and move production into the Squier line. I've played a Starfire and it was a top-notch guitar (even though DeArmond is the "budget" line of Guild); I haven't played one of the Squier-DeArmonds, but I have trouble believing that it's the same quality as the original.

All of Fender and Gibson's mergers piss me off though. Sunn was the only thing Fender didn't screw up. Now Gibson sells those cheesy Kramers. I guess that's an example of what happens when large corporations screw crap up, namely the quality of products.

[GrindthatAxe]

Thanks loads. its actually a thing where im lookin into one for whats gettin to be an rarity. i know they discontinued the line and i am a huge metallica fan. so theres really nothin like holdin a hetfield machine, even if it is a bit cheesy. the electronics are going to be swapped to EMG so theres really no worry about that. thanx again