ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar (Used)
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- Product #580200
With modern upgrades to a classic electric guitar design.
The ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar has a set mahogany neck on a single-cutaway body with a mahogany back and a beautiful flamed maple top. The thin U-shaped neck contour and 22 extra jumbo frets on the 14" radius fretboard make the LTD EC-401VF an extremely playable instrument. Loaded with Seymour Duncan JB (bridge position) and '59 (neck position) pickups, this electric guitar has a full range of tones from vintage smooth to rough and ready. Includes ESP-style pearl inlays and chrome hardware.
Check the drop-down menu to the right to select colors and/or other options.
Features
- Set-in mahogany neck
- 24-3/4" scale
- Mahogany back
- Flamed maple top
- Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard
- 14" fingerboard radius
- 1.65" (42mm) Standard nut
- Thin U neck contour
- 22 XJ frets
- Chrome hardware
- Grover tuners
- Tune-o-matic-style bridge and stop tailpiece
- Seymour Duncan JB (bridge position)/'59 (neck position) Pickups
- Two volume control/one master tone control, 3-way toggle switch
- Case not Included
Own a guitar with classic styling and modern tones. Order yours today!
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Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 24 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good tone (6)
- Fun to play (5)
- Good feel (5)
- Good pick up (5)
- Solid electronics (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming (5)
- Practicing (5)
- Recording (5)
- Rock concerts (5)
- Small venues (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (7)
Most Liked Positive Review
Amazing guitar!
I own and play regularly a USA PRS Custom 24. I LOVE that guitar. I have been trying to find a good singlecut for my collection. I have tried and owned a Gibson Les...Read complete review
I own and play regularly a USA PRS Custom 24. I LOVE that guitar. I have been trying to find a good singlecut for my collection. I have tried and owned a Gibson Les Paul Standard, Gibson Les Paul Traditional, Gibson Les Paul Studio's, PRS Singlecut's... None of them really struck a chord with me (pun intended) and I sold some of them.
Since I was happy with my PRS and figured I had an upper end US made guitar, I'd branch out and try a mid-line overseas made guitar. I tried some Epiphones (blah), PRS SE's (pretty good, but lacking something) and this LTD.
I certainly am glad. I am utterly impressed by this guitar. This guitar is maybe a small step down in quality from my US PRS. The fretwork and details on the PRS are second to none, but this guitar is amazing in comparison.
This guitar looks absolutely stunning. I have the transparent black. It looks better than the Gibson's I tried. The cost is less than the Gibson Studio's, but, and this is just my opinion, it has way more features and tone than those guitars. Out of the two Studio's I have owned, one of them was just terrible in quality and was sold shortly after purchasing.
Fretwork is superb for an overseas guitar. Could be a tad better, but better than the non Plek'd Gibsons I've had. Neck feels great. A tad bit thicker than my PRS, but still "thin" and amazingly playable. Pickups sound amazing and don't muddy up like the Burstbuckers do. Volume/Tone knobs are smooth and adjust easily.
Only bad thing I can say about this guitar is that the out-of-the-box setup is pretty bad. Nothing a simple at-home setup can't fix. Restring it, clean it up, fix up the action, adjust intonation and you're set. My guitar came pretty dirty. Out of the box, the first time I played it, my fretting fingers were black. A lot of fretboard cleaner and one white rag turned black, and it was all cleaned up and ready to be oiled. Problem solved.
I really hope ESP continues to make this guitar for quite some time. I love ESP's with passive pickups. This one is the best they make.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
It'd be nice if it worked
I bought this guitar reading all these great reviews and knowing that esp is a reliable brand but out of the box the guitar fret buzzed louder than a hive. It was too much, ...Read complete review
I bought this guitar reading all these great reviews and knowing that esp is a reliable brand but out of the box the guitar fret buzzed louder than a hive. It was too much, the action was okay but still a little out of shape it got me really ticked off so I ended up selling it.
Reviews
Reviewed by 24 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
- Poor Out-of-box Setup
Best Uses
- Anything
- Metal
- Rock
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
This is among my favorite guitars I've ever played. I honestly prefer this guitar over some Gibsons and other Les Paul style guitars. The EC-401VF features Seymour Duncans instead of the active EMG pickups in the EC-401. Both sound great but you can typically get a little more variety with these pickups.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- great price
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
This guitar is great it really is plays great out the box did some recording with 6505+ sounds amazing it is a heavy guitar get one you will love it I play mostly classic rock it great for that
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
- Fret Buzz
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
Right out of the box this guitar was in tune despite having been shipped across the country to my doorstep. The low strings were a little too low and were buzzing a little bit but I fixed that with a quick adjustment of the bridge and now it is really slight but playable. I may raise it up a little higher but I don't want to ruin how it plays. Great looking guitar, better than any Les Paul I have picked up and it sounds great.
Pros
- Great Pickups
- Lighter Than A Les Paul
- Smooth Fast Varnish
- Stays in tune well
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
- School Bands
- Small Venues
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
I have been playing for 35 years, and have had numerous guitars.After selling my 2000.00 Les paul, I was still longing for that great Les Paul sound.I had an EPI, Michael kelly, etc..But something was elusive.It's the big chunk of mahogany and the right pickup that matches the wood.This will do Zep, Jazz, GNR,or decent metal.
Plenty of push and clarity. More comfortable and affordable than my Les Paul, and GREAT workmanship on mine.I leave it out on the stand, and it stays in tune.This is the best bang for buck, and a good addition to my strat and tele.I can now play any style as soon as my talent catches up with my gear.I use a tone bone hot british and AC15 C2 my best sound ever with this guitar.I buy from MF all the time, and they are Fast,and efficient. I recommend them as well.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
- Small Venues
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
A well built axe that is worthy of anyone's collection. it presently shares 1st chair with my ltd ec1000 t/tcm.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Quality
Cons
- Setup Out Of The Box
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
- School Bands
- Small Venues
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
I own and play regularly a USA PRS Custom 24. I LOVE that guitar. I have been trying to find a good singlecut for my collection. I have tried and owned a Gibson Les Paul Standard, Gibson Les Paul Traditional, Gibson Les Paul Studio's, PRS Singlecut's... None of them really struck a chord with me (pun intended) and I sold some of them.
Since I was happy with my PRS and figured I had an upper end US made guitar, I'd branch out and try a mid-line overseas made guitar. I tried some Epiphones (blah), PRS SE's (pretty good, but lacking something) and this LTD.
I certainly am glad. I am utterly impressed by this guitar. This guitar is maybe a small step down in quality from my US PRS. The fretwork and details on the PRS are second to none, but this guitar is amazing in comparison.
This guitar looks absolutely stunning. I have the transparent black. It looks better than the Gibson's I tried. The cost is less than the Gibson Studio's, but, and this is just my opinion, it has way more features and tone than those guitars. Out of the two Studio's I have owned, one of them was just terrible in quality and was sold shortly after purchasing.
Fretwork is superb for an overseas guitar. Could be a tad better, but better than the non Plek'd Gibsons I've had. Neck feels great. A tad bit thicker than my PRS, but still "thin" and amazingly playable. Pickups sound amazing and don't muddy up like the Burstbuckers do. Volume/Tone knobs are smooth and adjust easily.
Only bad thing I can say about this guitar is that the out-of-the-box setup is pretty bad. Nothing a simple at-home setup can't fix. Restring it, clean it up, fix up the action, adjust intonation and you're set. My guitar came pretty dirty. Out of the box, the first time I played it, my fretting fingers were black. A lot of fretboard cleaner and one white rag turned black, and it was all cleaned up and ready to be oiled. Problem solved.
I really hope ESP continues to make this guitar for quite some time. I love ESP's with passive pickups. This one is the best they make.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
Just a kick-butt guitar all around, I love the jb/59 combo. I sing and play heavy original music in a gigging band. One of the greatest things about this guitar is just how solid and well built it is. The pickups have the power at hand to tear it up - without all the feedback and noise from knockoffs. Buy it,if I lost mine, I would buy it all over again!
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
This is my fourth ESP LTD guitar and it didn't disapoint. I was able to pick this axe up for a song in the used section on MF. In my opinion MF could have sold this as new because of the almost non existent defect they specified. Anyway, the guitar looks and plays fantastic. The Duncans are a favorite of mine. I use them in most of my gutiars. I don't care for EMG's at all. In fact I removed them from the V401 I have. The neck is fast, action is low as can be and it performs great. I have a couple bands and one plays metal and the other classic rock covers and this guitar can do both very well. The flame top is beautiful, frets dressed properly and the grover tuners provide worry free tuning. I have 2 Gibson LP's, 76 Explorer and a 85 V so I think I am qualified to say the bang for your buck is with the ESP LTD line.The chunk you get from a Paul is there with this guitar. Though a cranked Marshall this guitar could inspire many a riff writer. ESP plain rules....
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
I own the ec-400 vf...same guitar as this ec-401....great guitar...would recommend to any friend...even after my small issue...when i got my guitar, the pick up switch was junk...contacted Musicians Friend and they sent me a new one, and i soldered it in my self...super silky smooth finish, great, great, tone...the more and more i read about guitars, and my experiences...i'm starting to believe Gibson is all in the name!!!Peace
Comments about ESP LTD EC-401VF Electric Guitar:
This guitar is amazing value for the money, believe me, I've owned just about everything. This one is equal to any Gibson out there, with WAY better grover tuners, much better flame top, the quality is fantastic. Gibson is way overpriced, all you're buying is a name! I've owned the EC 1000 as well,(4 of them), and they are great too. This one has a nice thick body without the belly cut, and the sustain with the Duncans is killer. Buy this before they figure it out and raise the price!!
