If you’re wondering if ESP LTD EC-1000S Fluence is a good electric guitar or not, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that unique model. It’s really popular among the rock and metal enthusiasts, but is it actually good?
The truth is that ESP LTD EC-1000S offers a fantastic value for the money. This guitar looks, sounds and feels absolutely amazing. It’s made for shredding and playing heavy riffs, so if that’s your kind of vibe, you will love it!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the EC-1000S model so good and so popular among the guitarists all around the world. Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specs of that model. Additionally, we’ll investigate the biggest pros and cons of that axe. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
ESP LTD EC-1000s Fluence is a high quality electric guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. This model has everything you need – the feel, the sound and the looks!
What makes it so special? Well, this particular model features a solid mahogany body, a Thin U-shaped maple neck and an easy-playing Macassar ebony fretboard, which guarantees a comfortable playing experience. This is crucial, because it allows you to shred for several hours without getting tired.
There’s also a TonePros locking TOM bridge which offers a remarkable intonation and tuning stability. What’s more, the guitar has a set-neck construction which significantly improves the sustain.
The manufacturer decided to equip this model with a pair of Fishman Fluence Modern active pickups which offer a very powerful and versatile tone. There’s an Alnico humbucker on the neck and a Ceramic Humbucker on the bridge. Honestly, these pickups exceed all the expectations!
It is also worth mentioning that the EC-1000S Fluence offers a stunning look as well. There’s something really unique about that all-black design. Surely, you’ll agree with me that this axe has a killer look.
When it comes to pricing, let’s be honest – it’s not exactly a cheap guitar. However, considering how versatile and good looking it is, it’s definitely worth the cent! In my opinion it’s not overrated at all.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
ESP LTD EC-1000S Fluence is suitable for guitarists of all levels. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a complete beginner or a professional guitarist – you will definitely notice the fact that this is a high quality instrument.
However, since it’s a pretty expensive model, most of the time it’s used by intermediate musicians who know what they’re looking for.
This is a fantastic axe for any musician who plays in a band. It cuts through the mix perfectly during live gigs and it’s also a really good choice for recording in the studio. You can be sure that the tone of that guitar will stand out on your next record.
Since the Fluence pickups in this guitar are really powerful, it’s mainly designed for rock and metal music. However, it’s totally possible to use it for some lighter styles of music as well – it’s really versatile!
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really benefit from adding this ESP LTD model to their collections. It’s really easy to fall in love with it. That’s for sure!
Here’s an another sound demo and video review.
Pros & Cons
Just like any other electric guitar available on the market, the ESP LTD EC-1000S Fluence has its own advantages and disadvantages. That’s totally normal – no guitar is perfect. However, you don’t have to worry about it too much. It’s really difficult to find any major cons of that model!
Pros
- Powerful Tone
- Comfortable Neck
- High Versatility
- Stunning Finish
- Ideal For Drop Tunings
- Perfect For Gigs & Studio
Cons
- High Price
- Case Not Included
As you can see, it’s really easy to find a lot of great advantages of the EC-1000S Fluence model. It looks great, it feels awesome and it sounds amazing. Who needs anything else? That’s pretty much all you need from a high-quality guitar!
However, the high price is the biggest disadvantage of ESP LTD EC-1000S Fluence model.
It’s not overpriced, but it’s not cheap, so quite a lot of guitarists won’t be able to get it straight away without saving up.
Additionally, this electric guitar usually comes without an included case or gig bag. This is not a massive disadvantage, but an included case would save you a lot of time. Sometimes it’s difficult to find an affordable case that offers a high level of protection!
Nevertheless, I still believe that the EC-1000S Fluence model is definitely worth the money, even though it’s not perfect. The advantages of that model outweigh the disadvantages of that axe. That’s for sure!
EC-1000, EC-1000S or EC-256?
A lot of guitarists who are searching for their next axe for rock and metal often can’t decide whether they should choose the ESP LTD EC-1000, EC-1000S or EC-256 model. Which one of them is actually the best?
To be honest, it’s really difficult to pick a clear winner of that battle. All of these guitars are great, however it seems that the EC-1000S is the best model out of these three.
The EC-1000 and EC-1000S Fluence models are really similar, so it’s all up to you and your preference whether you want to use the Fishman Fluence humbuckers or not. In my opinion, they sound absolutely amazing!
Comparing the EC-1000 and EC-256 is also really common, mainly because of the fact that the EC-256 is a bit more affordable option. It’s not surprising that a lot of guitar players choose that particular model only because it’s cheaper.
However, the EC-1000 and EC-1000S models are from a bit higher shelf than the EC-256. So if you’re searching for a top quality instrument, you should probably choose one of these two models.
Here’s a really good video that compares the tone of EC-1000 and EC-256 – feel free to check it out below if it interests you!
What Gig Bag Is Best For ESP LTD EC-1000S?
As you’re already aware, unfortunately this guitar comes without an included gig bag. Finding the right case can be a challenge, but it all becomes much easier once you know what to search for.
ESP LTD has a really good gig bag in their offer that fits the EC-256 and EC-1000 models. It offers a really good level of protection, so you can be sure that your axe won’t get damaged during traveling or commuting to the rehearsal or your next show.
If you want to find out more information about that ESP Deluxe Gig Bag, feel free to check it out below.
My Experience With ESP LTD Guitars
I have to admit that I’m a huge fan of the ESP LTD brand. They manufacture a lot of fantastic electric guitars suitable for rock and metal music and their quality is always on point.
I had quite a lot of ESP LTD guitars in my hands throughout the years and to be honest, all of them felt really good. For me, the most important part of the guitar is the neck. If it doesn’t feel right and playing is uncomfortable, it’s a massive red flag that can’t be fixed.
Out of my experience, the necks of ESP LTD guitars feel really good. They’re smooth and they allow you to practice for several hours without getting tired.
That’s why I can totally recommend checking out their gear. They really care about their customers and they manage to create wonderful instruments available at relatively low prices.
So if you’re still not sure whether you should trust ESP LTD or not, don’t worry – their gear will pleasantly surprise you.
Other Great Guitars
If you don’t like the sound of this axe or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a huge deal! The market is full of other fantastic electric guitars that also deserve a lot of attention.
Of course, your decision should be based on your own personal preferences and on the size of your budget. Still, here’s a few other guitars that are perfect for rock and metal – just like the EC-1000S.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Ibanez RGA42HP. This is a high quality Superstrat designed for high performance. If you’re into very fast solos, you will definitely enjoy playing on that model. It has a very thin neck, which makes shredding much easier and much more comfortable. On top of that, it’s a bit more affordable than the ESP LTD reviewed in today’s post.
If you’re on a very tight budget, perhaps choosing the Squier Contemporary Jaguar will be the most optimal choice for you. It’s a really cool and underrated guitar. Not many people are aware of how good it can actually become! With a few smaller upgrades, it can turn into a killer guitar for indie, rock and metal. Of course, it’s also far more affordable than the EC-1000S.
Alternatively, you can also check out my latest article – 10 Best ESP LTD Guitars For Rock & Metal. This brand manufactures a lot of killer axes for heavier genres of music, so if that’s kind of vibe, you may find your next dream guitar somewhere on that list. What’s important, some of these models are actually more affordable than the EC-1000S reviewed in today’s article!
FAQ
Where is ESP LTD EC-1000S made?
ESP LTD EC-1000S is made in Indonesia. The brand moved their production to Indonesia in the last few years, but it’s still possible to find the Korean-made models. There are also older EC-1000 models that were made in Vietnam.
Where can I learn more about the ESP LTD guitars?
If you want to find out more about the guitars made by this brand, make sure to visit the official website of ESP LTD.
Summary
As you can see, ESP LTD EC-1000S is an absolutely amazing electric guitar. If you’re searching for a great sounding and great looking axe suitable for rock and metal, you should definitely consider getting that model. There’s a really high chance that you’re going to love it!
What do you think of that axe? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts about it!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were looking for. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
