ESP LTD MW600 Michael Wilton Signature Electric Guitar

Feature:
I have to rate this category a 10...it has a real Floyd Rose!...do you people not understand what makes the difference between a REAL Floyd Rose and a licensed Floyd Rose? A real Floyd has hardened steel knife edges and a hefty sustain block...this keeps the guitar in tune and gives the guitar much more sustain. The only licensed Floyd Rose to buy is the Schaller...which is made in Germany...and is actually a real Floyd. The newer MW-600's actually have Grover tuners...not Sperzels and a coil tap would be nice...but not necessary. The neck is absolutely great! I am a Fender guy and the neck is like a slimmer version of a Fender neck; however, the neck finish feels raw...there is either a very thin satin coat of finish on it or none at all...I love it! The frets are the perfect size...not as big as a Jackson...not as small as a Fender...just right.

Quality:
I have to say....the fit and finish on this guitar is near perfect. I can't find any flaws and the neck pocket is extremely tight. The frets are finished nicely and evenly. The only thing...if I was really picky...is the paint thins out in some places around the pickup cavities...you can see the wood. This isn't a bad thing...I like a thin finish. The skull graphics are sweet!

Value:
For the price you simply can't beat it. This is a great guitar and certainly one you don't see everyday.

Desirability:
Sweet!

Sound:
The sound of the MW-600 is ok. Now when I say ok, I mean that the problem is not the guitar...it is the Duncan JB pickup in the bridge. It sounds compressed and fuzzy....typical. I'm replacing it with a Dimarzio Evo 2 pickup. Actually...the duncan designed single coils are quite good...they almost get that Fender quack...they are quite powerful and will pull the strings down when using the real Floyd Rose tremolo.

Ease of Use:
Doesn't get much easier than this...the Floyd can be a hassle for those that are not used to them...just remember to tune from the outside to the inside on the strings or you will never get things tuned.

Support:
Haven't had a reason to contact ESP; however, since they paid so much attention to detail with this LTD, I can only assume that they are serious about their guitars.

Overall:
O.K....for the price you pay for this guitar, you are paying for the REAL Floyd Rose...sweet raw finish neck...superb fit and finish...and a look that turns heads. All that means nothing if it doesn't inspire you to play...the MW-600 does that. You know what I'm talking about. You can have a guitar that has the finest woods...the slickest ebony fretboard...the best pickups...the nicest case...and you know what??...if that guitar doesn't get you excited and inspire you when you are playing, then you might as well sell it. Some guitars are just TOO nice or TOO fancy to be worth a flip. When I pick up my MW-600, it simply makes me want to play.....FAST ....Lynch...Malmsteen...Sykes....I just turn into an animal. I can see my MW-600 getting many years of hard playing on the road. I have no doubts that this guitar can take it...and give it.