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ESP LTD VP400 Viper Electric Guitar
Set neck. EMG-81 active pickups. Grover tuners.
"ESP ltd Viper 400 (VSB)"
Feature:
Well, if you want active EMGs there's no better guitar (except maybe other 400 series) The Earvana compensated nut is every guitarists dream. They should be standard on every guitar made from now on. This is not an opinion, it's a fact that it compensates each string individually, giving chords a little higher on the neck a much clearer sound. The Tailpiece and Tune-o-matic bridge, also used on Gibsons, are great and solid. The grover tuners allow you to tune it very fine and they stay in tune whatever you do.
Quality:
I was amazed by how precise this guitar was made. There's not a single flaw in the guitar! The neck feels solidly attached to the body and you can definately tell that there has been put in a lot of research before they remade the 301 with active pu's. It just fits! It's my main axe and it feels like it lasts for ever! Definately road worthy!
Value:
This guitar will be very popular. I see it is being used a lot in pro bands already and it will increase, I'll tell you that. I wouldn't be suprised if the value goes up with maybe even 200 bucks in the future and it will still be worth that money.
Desirability:
I was looking for an alternative shaped body because I had it with the strat type guitars and I was looking for either a LP or anything else that wassn't too radical. I think the original SG series look so old and out of fashion, so an SG kind of model was not on my list untill I saw the Viper. They threw off the pickguard and instead of a flat bottom, they gave it a slant bottom and it makes the axe look so damn good. It's still an alternative shape, but nothing radical but it's still very modern. I love the finish too. vintage style burst and you can still see the wood through it. It's exactly as it should be on a guitar like this.
Sound:
The sound fo this thing is amazing. The active pu's osund great, very balanced sound. It has a really tight low end. Ofcourse, because they are active pu's they don't clean up completely on a clean channel with a lower pu volume, but for a metal/rock axe it has an amazing sound. The set neck gives it a smooth sounding tone and the mahogany body and neck give the sound a solid, smooth in highs chunky in low end sound
Support:
I haven't dealt with warranty but it looks like it's the same as with other guitar companies.
Overall:
Well, I don't want to give it a 10, because there's always something that can be inproved, but when I look at my previous grades I give each individual point, it pretty much comes up to a 9.5 so the 10 is a rounded figure...
Well, if you want active EMGs there's no better guitar (except maybe other 400 series) The Earvana compensated nut is every guitarists dream. They should be standard on every guitar made from now on. This is not an opinion, it's a fact that it compensates each string individually, giving chords a little higher on the neck a much clearer sound. The Tailpiece and Tune-o-matic bridge, also used on Gibsons, are great and solid. The grover tuners allow you to tune it very fine and they stay in tune whatever you do.
Quality:
I was amazed by how precise this guitar was made. There's not a single flaw in the guitar! The neck feels solidly attached to the body and you can definately tell that there has been put in a lot of research before they remade the 301 with active pu's. It just fits! It's my main axe and it feels like it lasts for ever! Definately road worthy!
Value:
This guitar will be very popular. I see it is being used a lot in pro bands already and it will increase, I'll tell you that. I wouldn't be suprised if the value goes up with maybe even 200 bucks in the future and it will still be worth that money.
Desirability:
I was looking for an alternative shaped body because I had it with the strat type guitars and I was looking for either a LP or anything else that wassn't too radical. I think the original SG series look so old and out of fashion, so an SG kind of model was not on my list untill I saw the Viper. They threw off the pickguard and instead of a flat bottom, they gave it a slant bottom and it makes the axe look so damn good. It's still an alternative shape, but nothing radical but it's still very modern. I love the finish too. vintage style burst and you can still see the wood through it. It's exactly as it should be on a guitar like this.
Sound:
The sound fo this thing is amazing. The active pu's osund great, very balanced sound. It has a really tight low end. Ofcourse, because they are active pu's they don't clean up completely on a clean channel with a lower pu volume, but for a metal/rock axe it has an amazing sound. The set neck gives it a smooth sounding tone and the mahogany body and neck give the sound a solid, smooth in highs chunky in low end sound
Support:
I haven't dealt with warranty but it looks like it's the same as with other guitar companies.
Overall:
Well, I don't want to give it a 10, because there's always something that can be inproved, but when I look at my previous grades I give each individual point, it pretty much comes up to a 9.5 so the 10 is a rounded figure...
"ESP/LTD VIPER 400, AWESOME!!!"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:I love that the guitar looks and is straight foward... dont get me wrong, I love my floyd and D Tuner on my wolfie, but again, I was looking for a dedicated rythmn guitar. Wonderfully simplistic, one volume knob, one tone knob.
Quality:
1st time I have owned an ESP... I am absolutely impressed. As good of quality as my much more expensive Wolfgang. I would buy another ESP in the future but I am content now with my Wolfgang and Viper. The guitar looks just like it came from the custom shop.. Unbelievable for a guitar that is mass assembled on a production line in Korea.
Value:
This is the best guitar out there for this price range if you are looking for an aggressive sounding axe... I can't believe they can produce this axe for the price.
Desirability:
I always wanted an all white guitar just like Steve Clark of Def Leppards Les Pauls he used... I just didn't think it would be on ESP's Vision of what a Gibson SG should look like, the ESP/LTD Viper 400!!!!! I will never lust for a les paul ever again... unless I had 5 Grand to shell out on a jimmy page signature that is LOL... but that would be just for bragging rights...
Sound:
I was looking for a guitar in this price range that would fit my needs. I have a Peavey Wolfgang TR Flametop which is my absolute favorite guitar for lead work, but I needed to find the ultimate axe for rythmn work. I originally thought I would get an epiphone les paul custom and put some emg's in it Zakk Wylde style, but decided to find a guitar that came with the bad boys. Man does this thing sound crushing, all the requirements for a great rythmn guitar are met with this axe; rosewood fingerboard, mahogany body, neck thru design, fixed bridge, and emgs.. Sounds just pummeling.
Ease of Use:
Easy to adjust the action to your liking. It's also easy to whip out those pinch harmonics with those emg's. The neck feels fast even though it is painted... (I have always felt that painted necks are slower, some disagree) I prefer maple necks like my oil finished wolfgang for speed, but this thing is surprisingly fast... Does have 24 frets, my wolfgang does not..
Support:
I emailed them for info on the guitar before I bought it and they emailed me back within 24 hours.. Safe to say they are good.. Don't think I will have any warranty issues... the guitar is built very well.
Overall:
This guitar is built to last a lifetime even with maximum use..... I would never get rid of it... It's beautiful, solid, and addictive....
"Amazing Metal Guitar, & Great Sound."
Feature:
I really like the Pickups but they sound very similar when you change channels, so there is a little less variety, abut they still have great sound.
Quality:
Very High Quality. It shines like a black sun, well mine does at least, because it is black. The guitar is a 2 piece, but was put together and painted to look like a one piece. Very nice quality for a guitar.
Value:
For the price I don't know if you can get a cooler and more functional guitar.
Desirability:
The sleek wave of the body reminds me of an SG, but has a nicer edge to it, and the color really adds to the appeal.
Sound:
This is an amazing guitar if you are looking for a metal style guitar. I haven't really tried it for other styles yet, but I'm sure it could do some low blues style too, it just don't fit the apprenticed for that kind of music.
Ease of Use:
It is a medium to light weight guitar for a solid body, and the action on it is fairly easy, but not extremely. Tapping is something that takes a bit of extra practice on this guitar, but other than that it is great
Support:
I don't know about this, because I haven't had any problems with it.
Overall:
I will probably use this guitar for metal style music for a very long time, but at one time i hope to change the pickups to EMG 81 & 85 combo. It is a great Buy.
I really like the Pickups but they sound very similar when you change channels, so there is a little less variety, abut they still have great sound.
Quality:
Very High Quality. It shines like a black sun, well mine does at least, because it is black. The guitar is a 2 piece, but was put together and painted to look like a one piece. Very nice quality for a guitar.
Value:
For the price I don't know if you can get a cooler and more functional guitar.
Desirability:
The sleek wave of the body reminds me of an SG, but has a nicer edge to it, and the color really adds to the appeal.
Sound:
This is an amazing guitar if you are looking for a metal style guitar. I haven't really tried it for other styles yet, but I'm sure it could do some low blues style too, it just don't fit the apprenticed for that kind of music.
Ease of Use:
It is a medium to light weight guitar for a solid body, and the action on it is fairly easy, but not extremely. Tapping is something that takes a bit of extra practice on this guitar, but other than that it is great
Support:
I don't know about this, because I haven't had any problems with it.
Overall:
I will probably use this guitar for metal style music for a very long time, but at one time i hope to change the pickups to EMG 81 & 85 combo. It is a great Buy.
"This guitar is the best guitar i have ever played and better than all the others ive tried out. I tied out a £1,100 guitar and"
Feature:
It's a solid bodied guitar. with set neck construction.It has the incredible 81 and 85 emg pickups, 1 tone control and 1 volume knob, and a pickup selector switch.It has a normal bridge no floyd rose or anything which suits me. It looks really like the gibson sg and i think it was based on the sg. You can get it in see through cherry, white, black and sunburst.
Quality:
This guitar is set up perfectly when you get it. It's action is very good.It is very reliable and tough. I think this guitar would be very hard to break. It is perfect for use on the road, thats why metallica use esp guitars. When I tried this out i didn't spot any problems what so ever.
Value:
This is so worth the money. It is a very high standard guitar for the money i don't think you can get anything better.
Desirability:
It looks expensive when you see it and i love the way it looks a bit like an sg exept with a slight twist. I tried it out in see through cherry and i love the color. I like not only it's looks but it's playabillity.
Sound:
The sound is awesome. The EMG 81 bridge pickup and 85 neck pickup are amazing for soloing. I played it through a 50 watt line 6 spider and it sounded incredible! It goes perfectly with what i play. I mostly play ozzy osbourne, iron maiden, guns n roses etc and is perfect. I'm saving up for one now.
Ease of Use:
For me this is very playable. I've tried out ibanez, jackson, bc rich and godin guitars and none have compared to this guitar. You can get great sounds out of this guitar because of the versatile emg pickups. EMG's provide clean, and heavy distortion. It has quite a thick neck so it's easier to play if you have big hands. If you are used to lot's of tone controls you might find it harder to tweek your tone because of the 1 tone control. With a decent amp this guitar can sound like a guitar twice the money.
Support:
I have never contacted the company.
Overall:
I hope to keep this guitar without buying a new one for about five years and hope it will last me. If i lost it i would buy it again. To me this guitar is better than all the others for this price range. I mostly like the pickups and the neck. It is exactly the guitar i was looking for. The only thing slightly bad about this guitar is it's weight because i'm used to a light hamer guitar.
It's a solid bodied guitar. with set neck construction.It has the incredible 81 and 85 emg pickups, 1 tone control and 1 volume knob, and a pickup selector switch.It has a normal bridge no floyd rose or anything which suits me. It looks really like the gibson sg and i think it was based on the sg. You can get it in see through cherry, white, black and sunburst.
Quality:
This guitar is set up perfectly when you get it. It's action is very good.It is very reliable and tough. I think this guitar would be very hard to break. It is perfect for use on the road, thats why metallica use esp guitars. When I tried this out i didn't spot any problems what so ever.
Value:
This is so worth the money. It is a very high standard guitar for the money i don't think you can get anything better.
Desirability:
It looks expensive when you see it and i love the way it looks a bit like an sg exept with a slight twist. I tried it out in see through cherry and i love the color. I like not only it's looks but it's playabillity.
Sound:
The sound is awesome. The EMG 81 bridge pickup and 85 neck pickup are amazing for soloing. I played it through a 50 watt line 6 spider and it sounded incredible! It goes perfectly with what i play. I mostly play ozzy osbourne, iron maiden, guns n roses etc and is perfect. I'm saving up for one now.
Ease of Use:
For me this is very playable. I've tried out ibanez, jackson, bc rich and godin guitars and none have compared to this guitar. You can get great sounds out of this guitar because of the versatile emg pickups. EMG's provide clean, and heavy distortion. It has quite a thick neck so it's easier to play if you have big hands. If you are used to lot's of tone controls you might find it harder to tweek your tone because of the 1 tone control. With a decent amp this guitar can sound like a guitar twice the money.
Support:
I have never contacted the company.
Overall:
I hope to keep this guitar without buying a new one for about five years and hope it will last me. If i lost it i would buy it again. To me this guitar is better than all the others for this price range. I mostly like the pickups and the neck. It is exactly the guitar i was looking for. The only thing slightly bad about this guitar is it's weight because i'm used to a light hamer guitar.
"Read Me"
Feature:
The pick ups
Quality:
The pick ups are plastic so you wont have to worry about them rusting like the stratocasters. theres no chrome to rust. I think thats the best part. I hate rusty guitars. Especialy when you pay 600 for one.
Value:
Its a very good guitar but it is a little expensive.
Desirability:
I got it based on sound but it is a nice looking guitar
Sound:
I got it becouse of the sound. It has a very deep heavy sound. If you like bands like System of a Down and Rob Zombie then I recomend you buy this. I use a BOSS Metal Zone and Overdrive and I just wet myself every time I play.
Overall:
I have no regrets.
The pick ups
Quality:
The pick ups are plastic so you wont have to worry about them rusting like the stratocasters. theres no chrome to rust. I think thats the best part. I hate rusty guitars. Especialy when you pay 600 for one.
Value:
Its a very good guitar but it is a little expensive.
Desirability:
I got it based on sound but it is a nice looking guitar
Sound:
I got it becouse of the sound. It has a very deep heavy sound. If you like bands like System of a Down and Rob Zombie then I recomend you buy this. I use a BOSS Metal Zone and Overdrive and I just wet myself every time I play.
Overall:
I have no regrets.
"All-around great guitar."
Quality:
The only problem here is some of the black coating has rubbed off of the bridge, no real problem, but it may bother some people. Of course, that's after a year of (constant) use.
Value:
In short, for what you get, it's a great deal. Nothing else in this price range even comes close.
Overall:
The active p/u's are great, and I love the compensated nut. Since nobody that has posted a review here seems to know what that is, it compensates each string length to improve intonation (like the saddles on your bridge), especially in open position.
The only problem here is some of the black coating has rubbed off of the bridge, no real problem, but it may bother some people. Of course, that's after a year of (constant) use.
Value:
In short, for what you get, it's a great deal. Nothing else in this price range even comes close.
Overall:
The active p/u's are great, and I love the compensated nut. Since nobody that has posted a review here seems to know what that is, it compensates each string length to improve intonation (like the saddles on your bridge), especially in open position.
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