Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? First of all I have purchased from American Musical before and havent really had any issues until now. I received the Spring 2013 catalog in the mail and noticed they had the LTD EC series with the 8 payment program. When I called their customer service I received a rude young girl on the phone. I asked about the 8 payment on the EC1000 and I was told it was a typo, which was made on all three models they showed in the catalog. I understand that accidents happen so I asked if they would honor the payment plan, I was rudely told no. It's not like I was asking for a break on the price or anything. I was just asking them to make good on their advertisement. To top it all off she hung up on me while I talking. LOL. For a company that talks about great customer support, this is a poor reflection. I will definitely be taking my business to Zzounds.com from now on. They have great prices and great customer service.

Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? At this price point I consider this a well made axe. I dont mind having to make a cheap repair if its going to give me the tone of a $4K gibson. Any repairs were under $20.00 I plan on upgrading the electronics to the newer EMG solderless type. Reliability How has it stood up over time? Here is their problem. Cheap electronics. Bad volume pots and toggle switches were problems on mine. Better quality control needed. Overall Your general opinion of this product. I have alot of experience with the EC Ltd line. I have owned 4 to date. I have alwys been satisfied, however read on. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? The neck is fast and seems to taper thicker toward the neck joint. The guitar is heavy. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? Warm, thick Les Paul tone from some great american pickups ! I use mesa amps so my tone is dark anyway. Excellant sustain. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Awesome finish, and I have the black CTM. Action How was the action out of the box? Action was good, however it had to be set up to my personal requirements.

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? Supurb Quality. Supurb tone. I don't think I will be buying another Gibson or ESP Eclipse as long as the LTD line remains this good and also offers the exact models I would want in the guitar. The Black EC-1000T/CTM is the exact guitar I have wanted LTD to produce forever. Finally it is here. It is like having my own signature model. Traditional pickup spacing, 22 fret, 5 ply binding on front, back, and on the neck and headstock, BUT NO ABOLENE INLAYS which I don't like -thanks for getting rid of that finally LTD. It was overkill. Locking Tuners, Locking Bridge, Ebony Fretboard, Just perfect. This is THE Traditional guitar, with just a few modern appointments to make it perfect for todays players. Reliability How has it stood up over time? I have two EC-400ATs that stay in tune perfect and sound wonderful after years of abuse. I have to assume this will be no different, but it is only two days old, so not really a question I can answer yet Overall Your general opinion of this product. I ordered a Black EC-1000T/CTM as soon as I saw ESP was coming out with this model. I own several EC-400AT guitars (also full 55 mm thick body). But, I have a Gibson complex and was not sure I wanted to invest money in another "imported" guitar, or add another Gibson Les Paul to the collection. Well friends, I actually had one of the best gibson dealers at my disposal and tested the EC-1000T/CTM again 3 different les paul customs, two Les Paul Standards, A Les Paul Studio, and a PRS SC 245. The EC-1000T won in spades against all of them. They have the guitar building dialed in. This guitar sounds amazing and has all the characteristics of some of my favorite Les Pauls that I always look for, with much improved quality and features over any Les Pauls that I have played recently. The locking tuners are great, the finish and quality of assembly are great, flawless actually. But it all comes down to sound, and the EC-1000T/CTM delivers. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? It has what I would consider a "slip Taper" neck, which I love. It feels fast and was set up with proper relief out of the box. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? It has the midrange content that a mahogany set neck guitar should have - finally. I have played so many guitars recently that were very "airy" and did not have the focus that my favorite mahogany guitars had. This guitar delivers heavy tone. The EMGs are smokin hot. I normally play passive Gibson pickups, 498T in the bridge. I normally run a direct drive as a little mid boost in front of my amp. With these EMGs, you need no pedals. they cut hard. I don't really play "Metal". I play rythm guitar similar to Tool and Godsmack, in drop d or drop C# normally. this guitar fits in that scope perfectly. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Paint Job and binding are perfect. I inspected every inch. It was between this guitar and two other Les Paul Customs that I was looking at and the fit, finish and quality on this guitar is obvious, that they pay attention to the details. Very pleased. Action How was the action out of the box? I have some string buzz on the low E which is annoying, but I will have the guitar professionally set up as I do all new guitars. OUt of the box, the action in general is set up great, and it stays in tune. No other guitars hanging in guitar stores seem to be able to stay in tune out of the box, and that is why I really like ESP and LTD