7-String LTD Guitar. Which one do I buy?

[cjbrents]

Seven-Stringers,

I have been playing six-string electric since 2003, now it's time to move on to deeper and heavier strings. I own a 2007 Schecter C-1 Elite(Seymour Duncans, $750) and 2010 Schecter Hellraiser Solo 6(EMG 81/85, $850), I thought they were awesome, until I picked up my bassist's $400 ESP LTD EC200QM with EMG HZ installed in the neck and bridge. I was blown away instantly! ESP guitars.

My bassist also has a seven-string guitar, but the tone of the guitar he has doesn't suit my tastes. I've played it a few times, not too hard to get accustomed too, but it took me a few tries to get the hang of it. So, now I'm on the hunt for one. I'll be making a purchase around the end of September or early October. These are my top picks...


ESP LTD H-1007
ESP LTD H-1007 7-String Electric Guitar | Musician's Friend

ESP LTD MH-417
ESP LTD MH-417 7-String Electric Guitar | Musician's Friend

ESP LTD EC-407
ESP LTD EC-407 7-String Electric Guitar | Musician's Friend


What are the major differences between the three, other than the shape of the body or size of the neck? Which one would you prefer, any ESP fans out there?

Thanks,
Chris

[AliceLG]

Having an MH-417 I totally recommend it, great bang for your buck. Comfortable, great sound, fast neck, great finish.

That being said, there's a reason the H-1007 is more expensive, being in the Deluxe line and all, if you can afford it go for that one.

[The Only Factor]

Coming from an avid ESP fanatic, either one would be a killer axe really... The H1007 is more top of the line for an LTD, but still is worth every penny like either the MH417 or the EC407 is and would be.

The neck on all 3 will be the same profile so no worries there. Either will be a good choice and sure to not disappoint.

[tasteslikeawesome]

I would take a look at the ESP AW-7. I think it's around the same price as the H1007 too! Definately the better choice in my opinion.

[tasteslikeawesome]

ESP LTD AW7 Alex Wade 7 String Electric Guitar | Sam Ash Music 1-800-4-SAMASH

[CYBERSYN]

If you liked your bassists EC why not get the EC-407?

[Black43]

EX-307.

[Cougs]

Go to a shop and play all three of them. Then choose which one you like the best.

[asilayamazing]

i want an ec sooooo bad.....

[ExhumedShadow]

If you like Emg's and TOM bridge go for d h-1007
if you prefer passives (high gain still) and a hipshot style bridge go for d aw-7

No point going lower range if you can afford top of d line Ltd.

[Techdethdrummer]

Its really up to what body style you like best, their not too disimilar form one another, I can deff vouche for the MH417 AWSOME guitar exspecially for the price, also I thnk the body and the headstock looks sexy, they call it a knife headstock....what more metal then that???

[nic0us]

I just ordered H-1007 and can't wait to get it to home

As others said, if you can afford it, then go for it. I still think you should first test it out since it's quite a big investment.

[tasteslikeawesome]

If EMGs and TOM bridges are what you're after also check out the ESP ZH-7 instead of the H-1007. It gets me drooling just looking at it. The H-1007's fretboard, headstock, finish, and hardware put me off to the point where I don't consider it an option for me anymore after all these new guitars caught my fancy. ZH-7 is neckthru rather than a set neck carved and sanded down to look like a neckthru. I'll just let you look for your self... ESP LTD ZH-7 Zach Householder Electric Guitar in See Thru Black Satin. Instock! | eBay

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Honestly, as much as I like the ZH-7, the specs are almost exactly identical to the MH-417.

ESP LTD MH-417 7-String Electric Guitar | Musician's Friend

If you want a figured maple top with ebony fretboard, go for the ZH. If you want a rosewood fingerboard with a solid top, go for the MH.

And I have to admit, out of all the WC sigs, the ZH is my least favorite, because the specs are too close to an existing guitar.

[cjbrents]

Thanks for all the considerations and suggestions! I wasn't expecting replies this fast, but I'm glad I was able to receive them. So let me reply to you.

The EX-307 looks really kick ass, but too James Hetfield when I'm trying to be me. The Whitechapel guitarists' signature models look really awesome, but I'll get my own custom model one day.

I don't know if I want the EC model because it's the only ESP model I've ever played. I may like the M and H models, too. I love the black satin paint job, don't like the gloss, but that's a minor dislike.

If it's only about the body styles, and everyone seems to really love the MH-417, I guess I should take the H-1007. From the looks of it, it's a top-of-the-line model. Thanks for all the inputs!

About playing them all in a music store.... Where I live, there are two big music stores, three small ones, and I highly doubt any of them will have these three seven-strings in stock. It's all special order, which means I'll have to pay up front; hence this post.

Thanks again, yall.

[The Only Factor]

Originally Posted by cjbrents

Thanks for all the considerations and suggestions! I wasn't expecting replies this fast, but I'm glad I was able to receive them. So let me reply to you.

The EX-307 looks really kick ass, but too James Hetfield when I'm trying to be me. The Whitechapel guitarists' signature models look really awesome, but I'll get my own custom model one day.

I would agree to a sense, but disagree to another sense as well. Maybe if the body shape was the original lawsuit Explorer style, then maybe. The thing that killed the EX307 for me was the 4x3 headstock. IMHO, they should have kept it authentic to the 6-string counterpart and did the inline headstock.

As for getting someone else's signature model, I wouldn't even look at it that way. I got the AW-7 because it was finally "The Perfect Strat 7" that I was looking to find, but would have had to get one of the older and hared rot find Fender Squire Strat VII's and modify that thing to high hell to get something closer to what I wanted. But after seeing it and seeing what it had for specs, I knew that this would be one of those that I'd kick myself to no end for not buying.

I too look forward to the day I get my own custom, but for a price tag between $6K and $7K and over a years' wait time, it will have to wait a while. I am in need of a new vehicle first!

Now am I in a band that's playing out or touring, no. And I'm not anyone of mad skill like a few members on here who ARE my influences and inspirations, but to me owning someone's signature model isn't about being like someone else. Having that sig model is having something that you like that someone else made possible for everyone else. It's about finding that piece that you really like and loving it even more every time you pick it up to play it.

Originally Posted by cjbrents

I don't know if I want the EC model because it's the only ESP model I've ever played. I may like the M and H models, too. I love the black satin paint job, don't like the gloss, but that's a minor dislike.

If it's only about the body styles, and everyone seems to really love the MH-417, I guess I should take the H-1007. From the looks of it, it's a top-of-the-line model. Thanks for all the inputs!

Okay, but here you kinda contradict yourself, especially if you like a satin finish over gloss. And if you really look around on the 7-string threads, you'll see a lot of guys rave just as much about thier EC407's and H1007's as you will those who love thier MH417's. Like I mentioned earlier, either one will be a really sweet axe, but it's all in the matter of what YOU like and appeals to you the most.

And while the 400 series may be a lower level compared to the 1000's, it's still gonna be just as much fun to play and still sound really good despite. The main differences between the 400's and the 1000's or an LTD sig model will be where they were made for one. The 400's went from MIK (made in Korea), to Indonesia in 2009, and then to China around late 2010. The 1000's and LTD sig models are still MIK and are just as good as the 400's that are now Chinese made.

Of course that for the more money of the 1000 or an LTD sig, you'll get better woods used for the construction, better craftsmanship (despite still being machine-made...) and better attention to details. Hell, my EC407 is a very close rival for 1st place with my AW-7 because like any other guitar (or anything else really...) no two will be exactly the same. And that in itself makes each one unique to the next - even more so when you change hardware, pickups and/or electronics ect, then it really becomes yours and you fall in love with it that much more.

Originally Posted by cjbrents

About playing them all in a music store.... Where I live, there are two big music stores, three small ones, and I highly doubt any of them will have these three seven-strings in stock. It's all special order, which means I'll have to pay up front; hence this post.

Thanks again, yall.

If your near a Guitar Center, chances are they will have an EC407 sitting on the wall if someone didn't snag it already. At the GC near me, they started carrying them in-stock now because they are selling like crazy and there's enough of a demand for them. And at the same time, you never know what killer pieces you'll come across unless you go and look for yourself. And don't just go once and give up, go back like once a week and see if anything new came in. You'd be surprised at what you find sometimes, and for a killer steal of a price too sometimes.

But I DO agree with a few of the others who say that if you're considering an H1007, then keep some of the LTD sig models in mind too that would be in the same price range. Like if your considering an MH417, I myself would go with one of the ZH-7's just to have something different. Yes, the specs are almost the same except for the quilt top, see thru black and the inlays. But think of how many people have the MH417 already, and I too have yet to see an NGD for a ZH-7. To me, it seems like the ZH would be a much better choice if your considering an MH-417, and has a different visual appeal than the H1007 too.

Just a few more things to bounce around and hope this helps you decide a little more and look at a few other models you wouldn't have thought of before. Like I said, either LTD 7 you go with will not disappoint and you'll be glad you got it... I have been with all the LTD's I've owned over the years, and wouldn't give my current 2 LTD's for anything else - well okay, MAYBE if they were actual ESP's that is!!!

Good luck and keep us posted on which one you decide upon!

[cjbrents]

I guess I never looked at the signature models in the way you've described. I do believe I'd like the ZH-7; same specs as the others I already have in mind. The guitar center they built in Omaha has a very limited selection of guitars, nothing like the one I was use to in Memphis. It's smaller and they only carry about 12 guitars per brand, except Gibson and Fender, of course. I would like to try them out, though.

I may end up getting a signature, but I don't want to stand out on stage with my James Hetfield, George Lynch, or Van Halen guitar because I don't want people to expect me to pull off some kick ass solo that I'm never going to play. I'm a rhythm guitarist, so is James, but you get my drift, right? Besides, I'll keep looking.

Thanks for breaking down the difference in the 400 and 1000 models. The only difference I've noticed in the 417 and the 1007 is about $100. I may check out the Householder model a little more in depth, first. Thanks again.

Thanks again, all.

[tasteslikeawesome]

The ZH-7 has a maple neck while the MH-417 has a mahogany neck.

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Originally Posted by tasteslikeawesome

The ZH-7 has a maple neck while the MH-417 has a mahogany neck.

MH-417
Neck-Thru-Body Construction
25.5" Scale
Mahogany Body
Maple Neck
Rosewood Fingerboard
48mm Standard Nut
Thin U Neck Contour
24 XJ Frets
Black Nickel Hardware
Grover Tuners
TOM Bridge
EMG 81-7 (B) / 707 (N) Active p.u.
Finish: BLKS (Black Satin)

ZH-7
Neck-Thru-Body Construction
25.5” Scale
Mahogany Body
Quilted Maple Top
Maple Neck
Ebony Fingerboard
48mm Standard Nut
Thin U Neck Contour
24 XJ Frets
Black Satin Hardware
ESP Locking Tuners
Tonepros Locking TOM Bridge
EMG 81-7 (B) / 707 (N) Active p.u.
Finish: STBLKS (See Thru Black Satin)

[iRaiseTheDead]

If you get an H-1007, I WILL hunt you down for it

[TheShreddinHand]

I've got a H-1007 with the floyd rose and I absolutely love the guitar. Stays in tune better than any guitar I've ever owned and what I was really impressed with was that the EMGs actually are quite versatile in this guitar. I really think it's due to the Mahogany body because I hated the EMGs I had in my old M-1000 that I eventually sold (which was alder). H-1007 is very comfortable to play and is perfect for me. Good luck.

[cjbrents]

Thanks. I'm actually leaning toward the H-1007. I like the look of the guitar, and I'm sure the EMGs are ....ing sweet! Plus, I've seen a few youtube reviews. I've seen the lead, and rhythm reviews, which I really like. Once I get back home, I'm heading to the guitar center to check out all three models for myself, if possible, but the H-1007 sparks my interests the most.

[cjbrents]

[QUOTE=TheShreddinHand;3076671 I hated the EMGs I had in my old M-1000 that I eventually sold (which was alder).QUOTE]


So the wood really makes that much of a difference? I didn't think it would really have an effect on your tone that much. Thanks for the advice.

[TankJon666]

MH-417 is a beast!

[TheShreddinHand]

Originally Posted by cjbrents

Thanks. I'm actually leaning toward the H-1007. I like the look of the guitar, and I'm sure the EMGs are ....ing sweet! Plus, I've seen a few youtube reviews. I've seen the lead, and rhythm reviews, which I really like. Once I get back home, I'm heading to the guitar center to check out all three models for myself, if possible, but the H-1007 sparks my interests the most.

There were also a couple vids that sold me on the guitar too. Jotun666 from the forum here has some sweet clips of the guitar. The one and only Andy James played it on some NAMM clips on youtube and the Whitechapel guys played it on some videos when they were recording their new album. Check those out if you can find them!

[QUOTE=cjbrents;3077630]

Originally Posted by TheShreddinHand;3076671 I hated the EMGs I had in my old M-1000 that I eventually sold (which was alder).QUOTE

So the wood really makes that much of a difference? I didn't think it would really have an effect on your tone that much. Thanks for the advice.

I really do think so, because when I owned a EC-1000 (mahogany) the EMGs sounded sweet and I've always dug tones of guys that have EMGs in Mahogany guitars (Zakk Wylde, etc.). I had Blackouts put in my 7620 (Basswood) back a few years ago and those sounded 'ok'. Maybe it's just my ear but I like actives best in a mahogany guitar.

Eric