2013 ESP Guitar Line Up Preview - New Models here w/ Prices

[King Guitar]

So this new "LTD Elite" line is supposed to be "equivalent" to the ESP Standard. The ESP Standards were still made in Japan in a QUALITY shop. This new Elite series is LTD, so does that mean they are Indonesian/Korean?

I am curious as to where these LTD Elites are being made. If they are Indo/Korean, I certainly see no one buying them when they used to be able to get quality Japan-made real ESPs for the same price...

LTD Elites are made in Japan by the same people who made the ESP standard series guitars.

 

[glpg80]

So this new "LTD Elite" line is supposed to be "equivalent" to the ESP Standard. The ESP Standards were still made in Japan in a QUALITY shop. This new Elite series is LTD, so does that mean they are Indonesian/Korean?

I am curious as to where these LTD Elites are being made. If they are Indo/Korean, I certainly see no one buying them when they used to be able to get quality Japan-made real ESPs for the same price...

LTD Elites are made in Japan by the same people who made the ESP standard series guitars.

I have to ask what the difference of the two is then - standards have always been high dollar woods but CNC'ed - what makes it worth the extra price to stay at standards with the LTD elites competing with prestige?

Makes zero logical sense?

 

[Reiep]

I'm a big ESP fan, the new move is a major turn off for me... I really hope that the LTD Elite series will grow and will keep the line with the Standard series. I can see coming a raise of the "real" second hand ESPs' prices too.

 

[stanbog]

I don't understand all the fuzz about it. As was said, the LTD Elite are being made by the same people as ESP Standard. So what exactly is the problem? The name on the headstock?
Besides, if you have a ESP now - it is probably going to be more valuable in the future. If you have a LTD now - you get the satisfaction of owning an "almost LTD Elite" which is "almost ESP" which is "awesome"

 

[Metaddict]

Actually i was planning to buy an ESP Snakebyte.
I am curious how much it will be after the NAMM Show.
Brad, can you help me out with that?

 

[SomeGuyChi]

Just showed my other guitarist the baritone EC-401....Looks like we may have to grab a couple before we hit the road this spring.

 

[King Guitar]

So this new "LTD Elite" line is supposed to be "equivalent" to the ESP Standard. The ESP Standards were still made in Japan in a QUALITY shop. This new Elite series is LTD, so does that mean they are Indonesian/Korean?

I am curious as to where these LTD Elites are being made. If they are Indo/Korean, I certainly see no one buying them when they used to be able to get quality Japan-made real ESPs for the same price...

LTD Elites are made in Japan by the same people who made the ESP standard series guitars.

I have to ask what the difference of the two is then - standards have always been high dollar woods but CNC'ed - what makes it worth the extra price to stay at standards with the LTD elites competing with prestige?

Makes zero logical sense?

The difference is they are doing away with the ESP Standard series and replacing it with the LTD Elite. Right or wrong thats what ESP has decided to do. They want to build some of the most sought after and desirable guitars in the world with ESP on the peghead.

 

[King Guitar]

Just showed my other guitarist the baritone EC-401....Looks like we may have to grab a couple before we hit the road this spring.

Hit me up when your ready.

 

[Reiep]

I don't understand all the fuzz about it. As was said, the LTD Elite are being made by the same people as ESP Standard. So what exactly is the problem? The name on the headstock?

Yeah, the name on the headstock... and also some other stuffs :
- they are being made by the same people, but will it be with the same material/finish quality/etc ?
- there is way too much figured maple... like on low level guitars to make them more attractive, that's generally not a good sign
- I can't say I'm quite a fan of the new models honestly, I hope further additions will be made soon

Edit : however, I really hope that I'm wrong and that, except the logo, they'll be the same than the Standard

 

[Reiep]

FWIW some pieces of info I found on the BMusic forums, from the admin :

- 16 core "ESP Standard" models will remain remaining in the market as "ESP Standard series" (but with a new ESP logo different from current original ESP logo) for one year, within 2013.

- All "Standard Signature models" will be discontinued. Signature models will be available only from "Custom Shop" as "Custom Shop Signature Models".

- Only "Custom shop models", "Original Series" and "Custom Orders" will have the original ESP logo from 2013.

And the plans for 2014 -

- ESP will introduce a new brand name "E-II Standard" to replace current ESP Standard Series. "E-II Standard" will use the same specifications as current ESP Standards; just the logos would be switched over from ESP.

So what are those damn LTD Elite... It seems they are better than the 1000 series, lower than the future-ex-Standard and the next E-II line, but built in Japan

 

[Rock Bodom]

It's a pretty nice line-up, regardless of what is on the headstock. Personally, I think just branding the new stuff as Edwards would simplify things. Nice seeing a green Alexi in the mix.

 

[drewiv]

Never owned an ESP, never really considered one, but these look pretty cool.

ESP Horizon FR II with Duncans

List $3332
Map $1999

Neck-Thru-Body Construction
25.5” Scale
Mahogany Body
Quilted Maple Top
Maple Neck
Ebony Fingerboard
42mm Locking Nut
Thin U Neck Contour
24 XJ Frets
Chrome Hardware (DBSB, BLKAQ),
Black Nickel Hardware (STBC, RDB, STBLK)
Gotoh Tuners
Floyd Rose Original Bridge
Seymour Duncan JB (B) / ‘59 (N) p.u.
Push-Push Coil Split Switch on Volume Control
Finish: DBSB (Dark Brown Sunburst),
BLKAQ (Black Aqua),
STBC (See Thru Black Cherry),
RDB (Reindeer Blue),
STBLK (See Thru Black)

 

[nwright]

FWIW some pieces of info I found on the BMusic forums, from the admin :

- 16 core "ESP Standard" models will remain remaining in the market as "ESP Standard series" (but with a new ESP logo different from current original ESP logo) for one year, within 2013.

- All "Standard Signature models" will be discontinued. Signature models will be available only from "Custom Shop" as "Custom Shop Signature Models".

- Only "Custom shop models", "Original Series" and "Custom Orders" will have the original ESP logo from 2013.

And the plans for 2014 -

- ESP will introduce a new brand name "E-II Standard" to replace current ESP Standard Series. "E-II Standard" will use the same specifications as current ESP Standards; just the logos would be switched over from ESP.

So what are those damn LTD Elite... It seems they are better than the 1000 series, lower than the future-ex-Standard and the next E-II line, but built in Japan

You have to remember that this info came from an Australian dealer, which is different than the US. So while the info may be consistent and apply to the US next year, it may not be the same.

ESP kind of has 3 different markets, and each market gets a different assortment of products. Often times they spill over into each other, but not necessarily, and where the "standards" for each market is made is/could be different.

The Japanese market doesn't get the Standard Series guitars...They get Edwards, which historically have been pretty much equivalent to what we get in the US as Standard series...So other than changing the name from Edwards to LTD Elite, it seems in my mind what they are doing for the US and export markets mirrors what they've been doing in Japan pretty much all along...IMHO it's LONG overdue.

So now you have more consistency across the board. The E-II thing for 14 does make it more confusing, though.

But for now, the plans for 2013 still make sense to me.

ESP Japan:
Custom shop
Edwards
LTD

ESP Export:
Custom Shop
LTD Elite
LTD

ESP USA:
Custom Shop
LTD Elite
LTD

 

[Reiep]

You have to remember that this info came from an Australian dealer, which is different than the US. So while the info may be consistent and apply to the US next year, it may not be the same.

ESP kind of has 3 different markets, and each market gets a different assortment of products. Often times they spill over into each other, but not necessarily, and where the "standards" for each market is made is/could be different.

The Japanese market doesn't get the Standard Series guitars...They get Edwards, which historically have been pretty much equivalent to what we get in the US as Standard series...So other than changing the name from Edwards to LTD Elite, it seems in my mind what they are doing for the US and export markets mirrors what they've been doing in Japan pretty much all along...IMHO it's LONG overdue.

So now you have more consistency across the board. The E-II thing for 14 does make it more confusing, though.

But for now, the plans for 2013 still make sense to me.

ESP Japan:
Custom shop
Edwards
LTD

ESP Export:
Custom Shop
LTD Elite
LTD

ESP USA:
Custom Shop
LTD Elite
LTD

I know, but look, here in Europe and in Australia, we have both the export catalog AND the US catalog, but they both will be affected by the new LTD Prestige line, I first heard of it from one of the biggest french distributor. It really seems that the not-japanese catalogs will merge together into one and only, every one out of Japan will get the same guitars.

 

[nwright]

You have to remember that this info came from an Australian dealer, which is different than the US. So while the info may be consistent and apply to the US next year, it may not be the same.

ESP kind of has 3 different markets, and each market gets a different assortment of products. Often times they spill over into each other, but not necessarily, and where the "standards" for each market is made is/could be different.

The Japanese market doesn't get the Standard Series guitars...They get Edwards, which historically have been pretty much equivalent to what we get in the US as Standard series...So other than changing the name from Edwards to LTD Elite, it seems in my mind what they are doing for the US and export markets mirrors what they've been doing in Japan pretty much all along...IMHO it's LONG overdue.

So now you have more consistency across the board. The E-II thing for 14 does make it more confusing, though.

But for now, the plans for 2013 still make sense to me.

ESP Japan:
Custom shop
Edwards
LTD

ESP Export:
Custom Shop
LTD Elite
LTD

ESP USA:
Custom Shop
LTD Elite
LTD

I know, but look, here in Europe and in Australia, we have both the export catalog AND the US catalog, but they both will be affected by the new LTD Prestige line, I first heard of it from one of the biggest french distributor. It really seems that the not-japanese catalogs will merge together into one and only, every one out of Japan will get the same guitars.

If they do merge, I would see that as a positive to the US crowd.

I still stand by the fact that making ESP the marquis name for their Custom Shop creations ONLY is a positive step.

Changing the name from ESP standards to LTD Elite does nothing to the guitars...they are the same as ever, IMO. The ones who are upset over this in my mind never really understood the difference in the first place, and feel cheated that ESP finally moved the product line to the proper tier and name. Yeah, it stings, but oh well.

I dont get why people dont say much about the price of a Suhr or Anderson or Ken Lawrence or any other boutique/ high priced maker, but throw a fit at what ESP is doing. Suhr doesn't put "Suhr" on the headstocks of the mass produced stuff, and now neither will ESP. The price of their custom shop stuff is on par with the names I just listed, so I just don't see the issue...But I'll readily admit that I'm an ESP JAPAN fanboy and I've always considered the "new" ESP standards (that started in 02/03) to be a sham and not worthy of the ESP name.

 

[Reiep]

Changing the name from ESP standards to LTD Elite does nothing to the guitars...they are the same as ever, IMO

I hope so, but for now I still have doubts, being made in the same factory doesn't mean with the same standards, moreover if the E-II line gets real in 2014.

Well, the first hint will be the price I think

 

[joepete77]

If I were to get what used to be an ESP standard series I would rather it still say ESP on the headstock as most people will always equate ltd with cheap budget line. Resale of the new ltd will be worse without ESP on the headstock.

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

Wow this one will will flop

I guess they have forgotten that their entire image is the name ESP

Some one is going to make some cash off of these last year models later on in the secondary market

 

[JerEvil]

If I were to get what used to be an ESP standard series I would rather it still say ESP on the headstock as most people will always equate ltd with cheap budget line. Resale of the new ltd will be worse without ESP on the headstock.

I agree. They should have kept "standard" or gone with Edwards. People hunt for Edwards guitars. No one hunts for LTD's. People are willing to pay $150 in shipping to get an Edwards.

 

[the rossness]

The Green Alexi is probably the coolest looking one, though I'm not wowed by anything in particular. Where's the LTD Kami Star?