ESP LTD EC-1000VB/Duncan

Looking at all the positive reviews for this guitar it looked like a sure bet, but unfortunately I have to give this guitar a low rating.

First I have to say the sound is really good. The pups are solid and will give you what you want for a guitar of this type.

Where I ran into problems was with the production quality. I have had more than one of these and none were acceptable to me. The first arrived with rusty strings and frets, another had orange binding instead of the gold/yellow which it should have had.

A new batch arrived at Thomann so I ordered again. When it arrived, orange binding again as well as some other small issues which I would have probably accepted if the colour was right. I was informed by a very helpful customer service assistant that they could change colours at any time and Thomann would have no idea. I can't see this as a good strategy for ESP, how much cheaper is orange paint than yellow?

I will give up with ESP, at least until they improve their QC.

Duncan v EMG: I have played both and they both sound great, just depends on what you're using it for. Personally I preferred the more open warm sound of the Duncans.