ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar, Black Satin

Product Information

Taking into account ESP’s price range, it is a great guitar for intermediate or advanced players. Naturally, if you can afford it, it is an excellent guitar that anyone can use. It is always better to start learning on a better guitar since the entire process will be so much easier and even more satisfying. First let me say i am from the UK therefore between Thomann and me the UK customs opened the box. And it is them i blame for the state of the guitar i received. It is important to review this experience and the impact it had on the item, as this puts Thomann on the clear but surely paint a hard reality for UK customs and the mess we have found ourselves with Brexit, although Thomann has done a great job to save us. I decided to keep it and pay for a repair on the finish and knob, and at least appreciate the rest of its beauty. I still dont know what is inside that goes around and i hope will not regret it but i am taking my chances.

Their ESP LTD EC-256 is not a high-end guitar, but rest assured because it has excellent quality, great classic looks and great sound at an affordable price. Yet you needn’t worry with the ESP LTD EC-256. Like the other ESP LTD guitars before it, the EC-256 is assembled with care. The construction of the instrument and the guitar materials were meticulously selected for one durable guitar. Yes. Every guitar allows at least some level of upgrades. In theory, you can replace every single part of the guitar, but that’s not something you’ll see often since you might need a master crafter to make it look good in the end. The quality and materials used for the guitar are great, and it looks amazing. There are additional options when it comes to colors. Changing the bridge won’t make a world of difference unless there is something wrong with the existing bridge. The only option you’ll have is to replace it with the same-looking one, but with higher quality.If you remember my review on the EC-1000, I mentioned that because the instrument is a Les Paul style, reaching the higher frets isn’t super easy to do. That can still be the case with the EC-256 unless your fingers are smaller. ESP LTD Guitars vs. ESP Guitars The inlays have a flag shape that some guitarists might not find preferable. If you recall my review of the EC-1000, I mentioned how I didn’t like that design feature. Well, the bad news is that the flag-shaped inlays are included with the EC-256 as well. And that’s it. While there is an option to replace other parts, it won’t change the guitar in any meaningful way. Yes, you can replace the nut, frets, and switch, but you should do that only in case there is something wrong with the ones that are already in the guitar. Alternatives To The Instrument In Terms Of Look, Feel, Sound, Specs, And Price A similar thing can apply to jazz, blues, soul, funk, and other similar genres (similar in terms of guitar sound). While the guitar itself won’t sound bad if you play it clean, it can never compare to a Strat or Tele which were designed for this type of music. If you need to tote your guitar to and from band practice or the studio or if you want to play around on it for hours, you shouldn’t be left with sore arms by the end of the day when playing this ESP LTD guitar.

Needless to say, you won’t get the same quality compared to the LP since Gibson is two or three times more expensive. But there is no doubt that LTD is worth the money if you are into guitars like this. It is a mid-range guitar that looks incredible and sounds even better. The board is relatively flat and the well-dressed medium-gauge frets make for a fast and accurate playing surface. The position inlays are quite stylish, but I’m not sure if I like the idea of using the model number as the 12th-fret indicator. Overall, the acoustic tone and feel are snappy and bright – classically LTD, in fact.

About ESP LTD EC 256

Next i noticed something going around in the guitar. It was obviously a piece of something, at best wood, at worst… and then i tried the knobs and more bad new on the way. The guitar is targeting more experienced players in the advanced/intermediate category. Needless to say, anyone can buy it if they like it. It is an excellent guitar even for beginners, but they more often opt for something cheaper. It is always better to play to the guitar’s advantage and use the opportunity to get an incredible, heavy sound. Today, the company is based both in LA and Tokyo, and there are two distinctive production lines for each of the markets. ESP focuses on designing bass and electric guitars mostly. As with the majority of companies in the seventies, ESP also provided replacement parts for electric guitars before they started making their own models. ESP produces a series of guitars, including LTD, Signature Series, ESP USA, ESP E-II, ESP Original Series, and Thinline Series guitars. Those in the LTD series have a similar look and style to some of the guitars in the ESP USA and especially ESP Original Series.

Over the years, more and more musicians became interested in ESP’s custom models, and their models got recognition across the world. Today, many players use ESP models like James Hetfield from Metallica, Jeff Hanneman, Dave Mustaine, Alexi Laiho, Roppe Latvala, and many others. This guitar is a huge step compared to some of the entry-level guitars, which is why it costs so much more. But the price will also get you a lot of high-quality materials like mahogany. Every piece of the guitar looks incredible, and the finish is spotless. Considering how much more expensive the Eclipse is compared to the EC-256, it makes sense that it has the more optimal, quality construction. The chambered mahogany body impresses, and I quite appreciate the fretwork as well. You shouldn’t notice any sharp edges when playing this premium guitar. The guitar is more expensive than beginner guitars, but it is a lot cheaper than the pro instruments. LTD is an excellent option for anyone looking to buy a cheaper version of ESP, which is one of the most popular brands in the metal genre.Without a doubt, someone opened the guitar and messed it up one way or the other. I hate to sound like a broken record, but a guitar of such condition would have never made it out of the factory or even Thomann had it been opened. ESP is an excellent brand, and it is usually targeting heavier genres. While this doesn’t mean that you can’t play blues or jazz on it, it undoubtedly shines when you add distortion or overdrive. Pros The single-piece mahogany body is also built to last. I’ve called other ESP LTD guitars better than Les Pauls, and I stand by that with the EC-256. This guitar is made for playing, be that tough shredding, light strumming, or anything in between.

The tone knob (pull/push) had a more than reasonable play, and i mean the potentiometer not being screwed in place and the dial doing a dead dial for almost a quarter! stars to British Customs! But Us Britons are musically “ accustomed” to get zero marks for music when we get to Europe (Eurovision). The design of this guitar is absolutely gorgeous, the designers have really put thought into this guitar, combining a blend of the vintage Les Paul vibes with heavy metal vibes. You won’t be able to install Floyd Rose or any other tremolo without having to do some woodworking. I wouldn’t suggest you drill holes and try to fit something that shouldn’t be there in the first place. Without someone with years of experience (like a master crafter), the end result will most likely look like a disaster. The price is great, so if you’re on a budget, the EC-256 is a guitar I’d wholeheartedly recommend. Unlike most budget instruments, you get a high-quality guitar that has a lot of the same features as LTD guitars that cost thousands of dollars more.

Frequently Asked Questions about ESP LTD EC 256

Some more experienced guitarists might find some of the features of the EC-256 cheap, which isn’t an unfair complaint. Some of the fret ends of the EC-256 aren’t as smooth as they could be, after all, and you can see some blemishes in the finish, especially between the joins. Still, considering what you paid for this guitar, those issues are small potatoes. The Verdict