by Ryan Richards

Created on: September 29, 2009

Hey folks, this is a review for the ESP LTD EC100QM Eclipse. This guitar is a single-cutaway Les Paul body made from a combination of woods. It's part of ESP's LTD line, and at $329 CAN, it's one of their low-end models. But DO NOT let the price tag fool you, this guitar is a beast. I've got a Line 6 Spider III that I play the eclipse through. Line 6 isn't really known for heavy bottom in their amps, the EC110QM delivers, clean or heavy.

Tone: The body is Basswood, which (you guessed it...) really gives it a nice low-end. This instrument is perfect for jamming alone or on-stage, with or without a bassist. It's got a really sweet tone on both the neck and bridge pickups. I like to roll the tone knob back a little to 6-7 to get that nice mix of softness of chords and attack on single note runs.

Action: The action isn't as top-notch as more expensive models, but this guitar is a great starter, or a great secondary axe. I found the strings a little high for my liking, but that come in very useful on pinch harmonics. This thing can squeal like Zakk, and it has no whammy... Believe me, there's a reason I refer to mine as The Destroyer.

Pickups: The pickups are stock ESP LH-150's which I've often thought of replacing with EMG's, as the LH-150;s seem to lack a good attack. With the tone at 9 or 10, you really lose note definition in fast single-note strings. Some 81/85's would give it that cutting edge it needs, but as I mentioned, for $300 you can't expect perfection.

Finish and cosmetics: The EC100QM comes with a quilted maple top in three finishes: Black, Sunburst and Black Cherry. I own the black model. The hardware is black nickel and the bridge is fixed. This guitar is easy on the eyes, to say the least. I am proud to display this guitar in my livingroom, as it commands attention wherever it goes.

Verdict: This is quite possibly the best guitar out there in the bargain market. (< $500.) It plays well on demand, is very durable and looks amazing next to higher end models. Beats an Epiphone any day in my books. I recommend this guitar 100%.

EC-100QM

Bolt-On

24.75" Scale

Basswood Body

Maple Neck

Rosewood Fingerboard

42mm Standard Nut

Thin U Neck Contour

24 XJ Frets

Black Nickel Hardware
(Chrome for FCSB)

ESP Tuners

TOM Bridge & Tail

ESP LH-150 (B&N) p.u.

Finish: FCSB, STBLK, STBC

(Specs are straight from the ESP website.)

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