[zimbloth]

A genuine ESP this time, not a korean. Looks really nice, just like his old standard scale one but with EMGs.

http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAM...R/Stef-B7.html

[Shannon]

So, the only differences between the LTD SC-607B & the ESP B-7 is...

1. The LTD has a rosewood fretboard & the ESP has ebony
2. The LTD has a fretboard "SRC" inlay & the ESP has no inlays
3. Different headstock logos (1 LTD / 1 ESP)
4. HUGE price differences: LTD SC-607B $945 (Musician's Friend) / ESP B-7 $2775 (Carlino Guitars)

To me, the B-7 is a monster ripoff. I would like to see a new LTD 7-string.

[Papa Shank]

Yeah, there was a thread about this.

I'm not sure what you mean by standard scale one but with EMGs though, both of the LTD Stephen Carpenter 7 string models have EMGs.

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by Papa Shank

Yeah, there was a thread about this.

I'm not sure what you mean by standard scale one but with EMGs though, both of the LTD Stephen Carpenter 7 string models have EMGs.

No, I was talking about his previous ESP 7-String model, the SRC-7. You know, the ones that were available from 1999-2001 or so. Those had Seymour Duncan JBs and such. I was not referring to the korean SRC models.

[Papa Shank]

Ah right, understood.

[zimbloth]

By the way the price you mentioned above isn't accurate, it'll be sold for less than $2700. I agree that's a hefty hefty price tag, especially when you can get a custom guitar made for you for far less. But, I also think $900 for a korean guitar like the SC-607B is a ripoff too.

What is really cool are those Michael Amott (Arch Enemy) and Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom) ESP Signatures on that website. Those are two of my favorite (and the best) guitarists around today. Too bad those will be overpriced too.

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

By the way the price you mentioned above isn't accurate, it'll be sold for less than $2700.

Isn't accurate? Dude, I got the price straight from one of the largest ESP dealers on the net. How can that NOT be accurate?

I agree that's a hefty hefty price tag, especially when you can get a custom guitar made for you for far less. But, I also think $900 for a korean guitar like the SC-607B is a ripoff too.

It's all in HOW a guitar is made, not the country of origin. I'm definately not gonna go any further with that tired debate.

[Nats]

they're still around?

[jacksonplayer]

Originally Posted by Shannon

So, the only differences between the LTD SC-607B & the ESP B-7 is...

1. The LTD has a rosewood fretboard & the ESP has ebony
2. The LTD has a fretboard "SRC" inlay & the ESP has no inlays
3. Different headstock logos (1 LTD / 1 ESP)
4. HUGE price differences: LTD SC-607B $945 (Musician's Friend) / ESP B-7 $2775 (Carlino Guitars)

To me, the B-7 is a monster ripoff. I would like to see a new LTD 7-string.

I suspect the playability and sound are far superior on the real ESP version. I haven't had good experiences on either account with the various LTDs that I've played and owned. On the other hand, my ESP Mirage Custom kicks ass. I suppose the real question is whether the ESP version is $2,000 better than the LTD, even undoubtedly being a much better guitar. Those are 'list' prices, aren't they? I'm quite sure you can get the LTD version for less than that.

The old SRC-7 was cooler by having the Duncans, rather than the EMGs.

[Shannon]

As a former SC-607 owner, I can tell you the playability was absolutely amazing. Thus, why I can't imagine the B-7 being $2000 better. I mean, seriously...how much better could it be?

[Ibanez_fanboy]

Originally Posted by Shannon

As a former SC-607 owner, I can tell you the playability was absolutely amazing. Thus, why I can't imagine the B-7 being $2000 better. I mean, seriously...how much better could it be?

how many damn guitars have you had shannon?

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by Ibanez_fanboy

how many damn guitars have you had shannon?

All of them.

[darren]

I was surprised to read that the ESP version has a regular Gotoh bridge instead of the TonePros featured on the LTD SC607 models.

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by Ibanez_fanboy

how many damn guitars have you had shannon?

Nearly 40....most of which were 7-strings. Yes, I'm a total gear whore.

Check my current avatar. That's the SC-607 I had for almost 2 years.

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by Shannon

Isn't accurate? Dude, I got the price straight from one of the largest ESP dealers on the net. How can that NOT be accurate?

Dude its real simple. You got it from that Carlinoguitars website. They list Minimum Advertised Prices, which are always inflated. If you actually called them or another shop who will get those such as DCGL, you will find it will be far less in reality. I'm not saying even if it's $2200 and not $2700 that its worth it then necessarily, just stating a fact.

Originally Posted by Shannon

It's all in HOW a guitar is made, not the country of origin. I'm definately not gonna go any further with that tired debate.

No shit man. But the 'way its made' is no different than the other higher end imports that normally cost $500-700. A korean guitar has no business costing $900. It simply just doesn't cost anywhere close to that to make. It costs so much because those models are so saught after and the supply is low and the demand is high. You're telling me its made so much better than the Viper 7-string LTD which only costs $599?

I'm not against korean guitars, I've owned many over the years which I enjoyed, but for $900 its ridiculous when for a couple hundred more you can have a custom shop guitar made for you to your exact specs which will definitely be made a lot better with higher quality components.

Try not to get so offended, a lot of guitars are/were overpriced. Remember when the Ibanez 7620 was $1000? That's a complete joke too but that's business. I love the 7620, but I used to work at an Ibanez dealer and had access to their 'costs', and Ibanez consistently had the worst cost to resale ratio of anyone. The $1000 RG7620 was only $400 cost, and hence I got to buy it for $400 new (well cost+freight, so it came out to 420 or so). Other guitars were usually sold fairly close to cost. I'm a huge Ibanez fan so I don't really care, but the bottom line is...a guitar may be awesome but it can still be awesome AND overpriced.

[Shannon]

Cool.

[Chad]

Uh, if I'm not mistaken RG7620's listed at $1,299. Also, I'm not saying it's impossible, but I do find it hard to believe that dealer cost was a 70% discount off list.

[zimbloth]

Well believe it. Ask anyone who worked at an an Ibanez dealer. List price is irrelevant. The List was 1299 but the retail price for us at least was $999.99. In the computer, it clearly showed the "cost" was $400.00. Which is a huge differential, I remember for example Gibson guitars (which I don't like, but still) would for example retail for $1249.99 and the cost was more like $850 or so. Something a lot closer to it's actual 'value'.

Anyways I've strayed way off topic here, just responding to the previous post

[Chad]

That's funny. I started to edit my post, but thought it was getting too off topic, so I left it alone. I was going to say...

One brand that does seem to have a huge cost/list differential is Gibson. I have bought bunches of guitars and in shopping for them, Gibsons seem to be priced the most percentage below list. They regularly sell for 50% or more off list while a good price for most other brands is around 40% off list. I got my Gibson 59' Reissue for around 60% off list and the dealer wouldn't tell me exactly but I know that was hovering right around his cost. It was a previous year model and he wanted to move it so I got a great deal.

[jacksonplayer]

Originally Posted by Shannon

As a former SC-607 owner, I can tell you the playability was absolutely amazing. Thus, why I can't imagine the B-7 being $2000 better. I mean, seriously...how much better could it be?

I've tried out both the 607 and 607B and wasn't very impressed with either. Typical LTD from my perspective--some of the dullest-sounding tone woods I've ever heard and frets that needed additional work. For whatever reason, Schecter seems to get better results out of the Samick factory than ESP does.

I will say that the 607s I tried were much better than the H-307 that I owned--now THAT was a dog.

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by Chad

That's funny. I started to edit my post, but thought it was getting too off topic, so I left it alone. I was going to say...

One brand that does seem to have a huge cost/list differential is Gibson. I have bought bunches of guitars and in shopping for them, Gibsons seem to be priced the most percentage below list. They regularly sell for 50% or more off list while a good price for most other brands is around 40% off list. I got my Gibson 59' Reissue for around 60% off list and the dealer wouldn't tell me exactly but I know that was hovering right around his cost. It was a previous year model and he wanted to move it so I got a great deal.

Well, perhaps. Gibson has raised their prices over the years. When I worked there it was in 1999 or 2000 or so, so it could have changed. I just remember the Ibanez 'costs' being comically low compared to how much we charged for them.

It also depends on the kind of gear. Pro Audio gear such as keyboard synths for example, would be sold for just a little bit over cost and the employee discount (cost+freight) was almost nil. Guitars were HUGE though.

[metalfiend666]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

A korean guitar has no business costing $900. It simply just doesn't cost anywhere close to that to make. It costs so much because those models are so saught after and the supply is low and the demand is high. You're telling me its made so much better than the Viper 7-string LTD which only costs $599?


Try not to get so offended, a lot of guitars are/were overpriced. Remember when the Ibanez 7620 was $1000?

You think you have it bad? Live in the UK. We pay the same prices in £'s as you do in $'s. The Viper 407 lists at £699 or approx $1240 and the RG7620 used to sell for £1000, or about $1780 at todays exchange rate. That's why a used RG7620 cost about $450 to you, or about £450 here.

So quit whining that you get screwed in the US!

[urklvt]

Standard markup is at least 300%, unless, of course, you're in the UK, where you get F'ed up the arse. Sorry mate!

I posted a comment on Harmony Central on that ESP: "I didn't know I'd have to pay so much just to get Stephen Carpenter's signature and smiley face off of the damn fretboard..."

I frankly don't care where the guitar is made either. I have had some good LTD experiences as opposed to some of you guys. Case in point the EC-1000 the black one with the active EMGs. That is a nice guitar, and it doesn't cost nearly $3000, and neither do the Schecter Hellraisers, and they're quite nice too.

Samick makes good guitars, almost 500,000 of them every year, so I'm all for a better LTD model, one without some guy's gay @$$ signature on the fretboard.

[Chris]

Honestly, how is that worth more than twice as much as the Hellraiser? Not to take anything away from it, it's a gorgeous guitar, but that should run, max, about a grand.

I still don't like the pickup position either.



As far as LTD's, I have zero complaints about my 207.

[Ryou4Eighty6]

I didnt know stephen even played a seven, i thought he was with the six string bottom feeders? which album did he use the seven on anyway? .. by the way dont get me wrong, the tones rule extensively.. theyre penultimate ( thanks chris ) ... am i metal enough now ?