New LTD Models: 2022 edition

[Kyle Jordan]

2013 - 2016 was interesting because you had all these brands releasing 8 strings pretty frequently. I think I noticed ~2017 companies were releasing less and less 8-strings.

Yep. Seems to have dropped hard too in 2019 and then Corona came in and put a further hurting on them.

Kind of feels like the mid-90s regarding 8 strings now, but not as bad. At least there are more custom options to choose from.

 

[STRHelvete]

Now y'all know I don't deal with superstrats..but this right here? I wanna play this in a store and I'll be looking for them at GC

And for some reason...a mahogany body Viper with a maple cap just sends me. I love the finish too.

These satin charcoal finishes are wonderful. Goddamn ESP..you be doin' it.

 

[Vyn]

Phase 1 has been sick.

 

[OmegaSlayer]

The H3 with reverse headstock is amazing
I would have preferred another bridge on it, but it's awesome nonetheless

 

[Hollowway]

Some cool selections, but I wish there were more Arrows. It’s one of the best V shapes out there, and there’s historically very little in their 7 string line up.

 

[nickgray]

24 fret EX with a 24.75" scale. That's pretty neat actually, the heel is fairly far too, so good upper fret access.

 

[Dumple Stilzkin]

The H3 7 string baritone looks really good in the ESP 2022 video.

 

[slavboi_delight]

The biggest flex of all will be the brand that actually gets guitars into players' hands.

Same as last year everybody will be struggling with supply lines and stuff.
Most of the models of last year are still not available as of today

 

[Vyn]

Some cool selections, but I wish there were more Arrows. It’s one of the best V shapes out there, and there’s historically very little in their 7 string line up.

There's exactly 7 models, 5 of which are Jesse Liu signatures (2 CS Artist Models, 2 E-II models and one ESP standard that was rebadged to be one of the E-II models), one is the Baby Metal sig and the last one is the plain black E-II. There's been more signature 7 string arrows released than standard ones

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

There's exactly 7 models, 5 of which are Jesse Liu signatures (2 CS Artist Models, 2 E-II models and one ESP standard that was rebadged to be one of the E-II models), one is the Baby Metal sig and the last one is the plain black E-II. There's been more signature 7 string arrows released than standard ones

Here in the US we only got the one Jessie Liu E-II sig for 2 years. That's it. Technically we also got the Babymetal but it was only through special order for a couple of months.

 

[jl-austin]

I expect phase II and III (if there is a 3) to focus mostly on basses, lefties and EII stuff.

A lot of new stuff, way more than Ibanez. I am surprised that they are adding to the 87 line. I didn't think it sold very well.

I've wanted a purple guitar for a few years now, I just hope it's a little more purple in person.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

A lot of new stuff, way more than Ibanez.

Though with Ibanez it seems like they're dealing with a huuuuuge backlog atm. Someone in the thread that's an Ibanez dealer says they probably won't see some guitars until next year.

 

[jl-austin]

Yeah... Last year it seemed like it was easier to get guitars from ESP than Ibanez or (insert Fender brand here). Which is kind of strange because ESP guitars historically has been hard to come by.

ESP are saying that these should ship by May.

But then again..... Shipping is one thing, actually making it to land is another thing.

 

[Joe B]

Wow ESP! My faves:
-SN 7string hardtail, bolt on, fishmans
-EX 7 black satin
-H3 7 deluxe
-All the 201 LTDs black satin with single Humbucker
-Viper and EC 6string baritones
-EC full thickness models
-And waiting for some new signatures in future phases

...It will be a very hard decision to choose!

 

[marke]

Really like those 1 pup guitars from 200 to 1000, including golden custom. I just don't like ebony fb everywhere. They crack. One of thr reasons why 200 series with hardware upgrade is a solid buy, imo.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Really like those 1 pup guitars from 200 to 1000, including golden custom. I just don't like ebony fb everywhere. They crack. One of thr reasons why 200 series with hardware upgrade is a solid buy, imo.

If we all just replaced ebony with richlite and/or ebanol, we wouldn't have issues like dry, cracked fretboard or uneven streaking (it's a taste thing, I know). But noooo blues boomers gotta complain.

 

[PromptCritical5]

If we all just replaced ebony with richlite and/or ebanol, we wouldn't have issues like dry, cracked fretboard or uneven streaking (it's a taste thing, I know). But noooo blues boomers gotta complain.

I could see that for Gibson or even Jackson lately, but I don't think most "modern metal" brands would get much if any pushback if they made the switch.

 

[Nag]

It frustrates me tremendously that this has a TOM.

Don't think there's ever been a Horizon 3 with a hardtail bridge, it's TOM or Floyd. Which I don't get, I'm fairly sure 7-string folks usually prefer a Hipshot style bridge these days.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

But noooo blues boomers gotta complain.

Honestly, I've been at this for a looooooooong time, and metal Gen X'ers and Millennials are just as bad, if not worse.

I think most guitarists, regardless of generation or anything, are still very very conservative about specs and materials.

Don't think there's ever been a Horizon 3 with a hardtail bridge, it's TOM or Floyd. Which I don't get, I'm fairly sure 7-string folks usually prefer a Hipshot style bridge these days.

I'm not sure a flatmount would work on an H3. I've only held Original models with Floyds, but if my memory serves you'd have to mess with the carve fairly significantly to get something like a Hipshot to work.

 

[marke]

If we all just replaced ebony with richlite and/or ebanol, we wouldn't have issues like dry, cracked fretboard or uneven streaking (it's a taste thing, I know). But noooo blues boomers gotta complain.

Indeed, and this might be just me, but Richlite is such an obvious answer to black fretboards. Similar to stainless steel frets. Some folks want traditional, but I think they're in the minority at this point plus there's plenty of choice for traditional things already.

Honestly, I've been at this for a looooooooong time, and metal Gen X'ers and Millennials are just as bad, if not worse.

I think most guitarists, regardless of generation or anything, are still very very conservative about specs and materials.

Indeed, but is it the market or the industry? Guitar development has been very moderate and slow.