Some more experienced guitarists might find some of the features of the EC-256 cheap, which isn’t an unfair complaint. Some of the fret ends of the EC-256 aren’t as smooth as they could be, after all, and you can see some blemishes in the finish, especially between the joins. Still, considering what you paid for this guitar, those issues are small potatoes. The Verdict

You won’t be able to install Floyd Rose or any other tremolo without having to do some woodworking. I wouldn’t suggest you drill holes and try to fit something that shouldn’t be there in the first place. Without someone with years of experience (like a master crafter), the end result will most likely look like a disaster. Yet you needn’t worry with the ESP LTD EC-256. Like the other ESP LTD guitars before it, the EC-256 is assembled with care. The construction of the instrument and the guitar materials were meticulously selected for one durable guitar. ESP produces a series of guitars, including LTD, Signature Series, ESP USA, ESP E-II, ESP Original Series, and Thinline Series guitars. Those in the LTD series have a similar look and style to some of the guitars in the ESP USA and especially ESP Original Series. Without a doubt, someone opened the guitar and messed it up one way or the other. I hate to sound like a broken record, but a guitar of such condition would have never made it out of the factory or even Thomann had it been opened.Their ESP LTD EC-256 is not a high-end guitar, but rest assured because it has excellent quality, great classic looks and great sound at an affordable price. The quality and materials used for the guitar are great, and it looks amazing. There are additional options when it comes to colors. The single-piece mahogany body is also built to last. I’ve called other ESP LTD guitars better than Les Pauls, and I stand by that with the EC-256. This guitar is made for playing, be that tough shredding, light strumming, or anything in between. Today, the company is based both in LA and Tokyo, and there are two distinctive production lines for each of the markets. ESP focuses on designing bass and electric guitars mostly. As with the majority of companies in the seventies, ESP also provided replacement parts for electric guitars before they started making their own models.

If you need to tote your guitar to and from band practice or the studio or if you want to play around on it for hours, you shouldn’t be left with sore arms by the end of the day when playing this ESP LTD guitar. The price is great, so if you’re on a budget, the EC-256 is a guitar I’d wholeheartedly recommend. Unlike most budget instruments, you get a high-quality guitar that has a lot of the same features as LTD guitars that cost thousands of dollars more.

I decided to keep it and pay for a repair on the finish and knob, and at least appreciate the rest of its beauty. I still dont know what is inside that goes around and i hope will not regret it but i am taking my chances.

ESP is a guitar manufacturer from Japan, and recently, the company gained a lot of popularity thanks to alternative guitar players. Compared to some of the giants in the industry, ESP is rather young. The company was founded in 1975 in Tokyo, but it wasn’t popular until the eighties. Over the years, more and more musicians became interested in ESP’s custom models, and their models got recognition across the world. Today, many players use ESP models like James Hetfield from Metallica, Jeff Hanneman, Dave Mustaine, Alexi Laiho, Roppe Latvala, and many others. When it comes to the sound, it mostly depends on the equipment you’re using. On a cheap amp, the guitar won’t sound as good as you might expect, but that’s the case for any instrument in the world. The guitar is more expensive than beginner guitars, but it is a lot cheaper than the pro instruments. LTD is an excellent option for anyone looking to buy a cheaper version of ESP, which is one of the most popular brands in the metal genre.extra-jumbo frets allow great string bending, and overall I can comfortably say that the ESP LTD EC-256 achieves a Stratocaster status for playability thanks to its lightweight and speed. Yes. Every guitar allows at least some level of upgrades. In theory, you can replace every single part of the guitar, but that’s not something you’ll see often since you might need a master crafter to make it look good in the end. If you’re new to the guitar and you’re looking to buy your first one, I wouldn’t necessarily say the EC-256 is it. Despite its low price point, it’s not really a beginner’s guitar like the EC-10 is. You’d be better off starting with that guitar, getting comfortable, and then upgrading to the EC-256. The inlays have a flag shape that some guitarists might not find preferable. If you recall my review of the EC-1000, I mentioned how I didn’t like that design feature. Well, the bad news is that the flag-shaped inlays are included with the EC-256 as well.

We all know that looks are important. But what makes all the difference in the world is how the instrument feels when you play it. This is one of the primary differences between the medium-range and low-end guitars. The guitar is targeting more experienced players in the advanced/intermediate category. Needless to say, anyone can buy it if they like it. It is an excellent guitar even for beginners, but they more often opt for something cheaper. First let me say i am from the UK therefore between Thomann and me the UK customs opened the box. And it is them i blame for the state of the guitar i received. It is important to review this experience and the impact it had on the item, as this puts Thomann on the clear but surely paint a hard reality for UK customs and the mess we have found ourselves with Brexit, although Thomann has done a great job to save us.And that’s it. While there is an option to replace other parts, it won’t change the guitar in any meaningful way. Yes, you can replace the nut, frets, and switch, but you should do that only in case there is something wrong with the ones that are already in the guitar. Alternatives To The Instrument In Terms Of Look, Feel, Sound, Specs, And Price Taking into account ESP’s price range, it is a great guitar for intermediate or advanced players. Naturally, if you can afford it, it is an excellent guitar that anyone can use. It is always better to start learning on a better guitar since the entire process will be so much easier and even more satisfying. ESP is an excellent brand, and it is usually targeting heavier genres. While this doesn’t mean that you can’t play blues or jazz on it, it undoubtedly shines when you add distortion or overdrive. Pros So if the Eclipse and the EC-256 share a handful of similarities, why does the former cost so much more? As I discussed in my EC-1000 review, it’s because these guitars are manufactured using the best materials, and in factories where the labor costs are a lot higher than buying a guitar like the EC-256. ESP LTD EC-256 Alternatives