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NAMM 2019: ESP lifts the lid on its 2019 LTD range

New Deluxe models, Basses, and updates to the TL, 200 and 400 Series.

ESP 2019 Preview Feature
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In our second bite of ESP’s official 2019 preview, we turn our attention to the brand’s LTD offerings. This line is packed with many gems, including new arrow-shaped models, sleek basses, and several eye-catching finishes. Sit tight as we dive into these new offerings.

LTD Deluxe Series

2019 will see new additions to the line’s popular 1000 Series guitars, as well as entrants to the Black Metal, EC and Xtone Series. Here’s a closer look:

Deluxe Arrow-1000

The LTD Deluxe 1000 Series has proven a hit with players due to its professional-grade appointments and wallet-friendly pricing.

The Arrow shape makes its debut in this category beginning in 2019. The Arrow-1000 features a neck-through-body construction, a mahogany body, a three-piece maple neck as well as a Macassar ebony fingerboard. It’s also loaded with high-grade hardware appointments, including Grover tuners and a Floyd Rose SE bridge. Tone is provided by a EMG 85/81 pickup set.

Available in Snow White and Violet Andromeda.

New LTD Black Metal models

The Arrow Black Metal is another new member of this line. It’s decked out in a black suit, with a killer Black Satin finish and complementary black hardware. Tone comes by way of a single EMG 81 pickup and an EMG TKO kill switch.

Another entrant to the Black Metal range is the Viper-7B Black Metal. It’s a baritone version of the Viper Black Metal model, and boasts a 27-inch scale length as well as a locking Tune-o-Matic bridge and tailpiece. The guitar’s tone is derived from a single, direct-mounted Seymour Duncan Blackened Black Winter humbucking pickup.

New EC models

The EC-1001T/CTM sports a set of EMG “TWIN” pups – the EMG 66-TW and 57-TW – that have push/pull coil-splitting functions. This will be the first time that these humbuckers feature on a production guitar. Elsewhere, the axe sports a set-through design, and a full-thickness mahogany body (chambered for weight relief) with a maple cap.

Available in Silver Sunburst Satin and Snow White

The EC-1000T is the second EC series debutante. It has a chambered, full-thickness build, and is loaded with Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic Humbuckers with three voicings.

Available in Honey Burst Satin.

LTD TE-1000 EverTune

This axe will be the first TE-shaped model that sports ESP’s EverTune constant tension bridge. In terms of tonewoods, the guitar has a mahogany body with a flamed maple top, a three-piece maple neck, and a Macassar ebony fingerboard. It’s also loaded with a new EMG humbucker set: the independently splittable MG 57/66 TWIN.

Available in Black Natural Burst.

SN-1000FR

The SN-1000FR has a classic Strat-shaped alder body with a bolt-on roasted maple neck. In the electronics department, the guitar is loaded with a H/S/S pickup set comprising two Seymour Duncan Hot Strat single-coils and a single Seymour Duncan Custom 5 humbucker that has push/pull coil-splitting functions. In terms of hardware, the axe has a Floyd Rose SE bridge with stainless screws.

Available in Pearl White.

Updated electronics and finishes

New sonic appointments and finishes are available for several LTD Deluxe 1000 Series models.

The H-1001FR is now offered with a Seymour Duncan Sentient/Pegasus pickup set. The MH-1000HS, on the other hand, sports a humbucker/single-coil setup comprising a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pup at the neck and a Pegasus pup at the bridge. Elsewhere, the seven-string MH-1007 is now available with a set of EMG 85-7H and 81-7H pickups.

All three guitars come with push/pull coil-splitting functions, a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, a set-through three-piece maple neck, a Macassar ebony fingerboard, and a Floyd Rose SE bridge with stainless screws.

The H-1001FR is available in Violet Shadow Fade, the MH-1000HS in Violet Shadow Fade and Black Cherry Fade, and the MH-1007 in Black Fade.

LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale

This unique axe is ESP’s first six-string model that comes with angled frets and multiple scale lengths, adjustable from 25.5 to 26.5 inches. Tonewood-wise, the guitar sports a lightweight mahogany body with solid flamed maple drop top and a five-piece maple/purple heart neck.

Hardware features include a black bone nut and a Hipshot bridge with string-thru-body, while tone comes by way of splittable Seymour Duncan Sentient/Nazgul humbuckers.

Available in Natural Satin.

PS-1000

The PS-1000 enters the fray as part of the LTD Xtone Series’ 1000 category. It features a chambered mahogany body, a three-piece maple neck and a Macassar ebony fingerboard. Electronics-wise, this axe is loaded with a set of Seymour Duncan Phat Cat overwound single-coils. Rounding off its features is a TonePros locking Tune-o-Matic bridge and tailpiece.

Available in Violet Shadow and Purple Sparkle.

LTD Basses

Including the Frank Bellos Signature Series bass introduced earlier, the 2019 LTD line will feature 13 new and updated bass models. Here’s the rundown:

AP-4 Black Metal

This AP-shaped axe is a welcome addition to the LTD Black Metal Series. It features a bolt-on maple neck and an alder body that’s decked out in a menacing Black Satin finish. The all-black theme includes hardware and the black LTD logo fashioned on the headstock.

Elsewhere, the four-string boasts premium components, including Grover tuners, a Babicz FCH-4 bridge, and a single EMG 35CS pickup with a matching black logo.

New finishes on AP Basses

Arresting Pelham Blue finishes are on offer for the AP-4 and AP-5 models. The AP-204, on the other hand, is also available in a fresh Snow White coat.

In terms of features, both the AP-4 and AP-5 have an alder body with a bolt-on maple neck and a Macassar ebony fingerboard. The two guitars are loaded with Grover tuners, Babicz bridges, as well as EMG P and LJ pickups.

Updates to the LTD B Series

The LTD B Series receives four fresh updates:

Both the B-1004 Multi-Scale and B-1005 Multi-Scale models now employs an environmentally friendly combination of ziricote tops and swamp ash bodies. And in similar fashion, the B-1004 and B-1005 feature bocote tops and an exotic but sustainable figured wood body.

Return of the LTD Stream Series

Owing to popular demand from ESP fans, the Stream Series is reinstated into the LTD range.

On the premium side of things, the Stream-1004 and Stream-1005 feature swamp ash bodies with solid burled maple top, five-piece maple/purple heart necks, and Macassar ebony fingerboards. The two axes are loaded with an EMG pickup set and a Hipshot bridge.

On the other end of the price spectrum are the budget-friendly Stream-204 and Stream-205 models. These feature mahogany bodies, three-piece maple necks with a roasted jatoba fingerboard, and smart Black Satin finishes.

LTD TL Series

ESP’s LTD TL (Thinline) Series has gained a reputation for its acoustic-driven instruments with the comfort and feel of an electric guitar. Here’s a look at some updates:

New finishes for the TL-6

The TL-6 model is now offered in three beautiful finishes: Aqua Marine Burst, Tiger Eye Burst and Wine Red.

Like their contemporaries, the three axes have a Graphtech NuBone XB nut and saddle, Grover tuners, as well as a Fishman Sonicore pickup that’s paired with a Fishman TL-3 preamp.

LTD 200 and 400 Series

Wrapping up this extensive list are updates to LTD’s 200 Series and additions to its 400 Series.

200 Series

The M-200 is now available in a spacey Alien Gray finish. It retains its bolt-on design, mahogany body, maple neck, Floyd Rose bridge, and ESP-Designed LH-150 pups.

Another model to receive a brand-new finish option is the Viper-256. It’s available in Snow White, but otherwise retains its mahogany body, set three-piece mahogany neck and ESP LH-150 humbucking pups.

400 Series

A new entrant to the 400 line is the LTD Viper-400B. This 27-inch scale beast is a baritone version of the iconic Viper shape, and it sports a three-piece mahogany set neck and a mahogany body that’s dipped in a neat Black Satin finish. Electronics-wise, the axe is loaded with a set of EMG 85/81 direct-mount pickups.

More information at espguitars.com.

And for the latest news on NAMM 2019, click here.

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