The lineup includes signature models from George Lynch, Stephen Carpenter, Frank Bello, Bill Kelliher, and more.
North Hollywood, CA (December 18, 2018) -- Artist-designed guitars and basses under the ESP and LTD Signature Series have long been among the more popular product offerings by the company. For 2019, the Signature Series expands with new models by players such as Reba Meyers (Code Orange), George Lynch, Stephen Carpenter (Deftones), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Bill Kelliher (Mastodon), Gary Holt (Slayer/Exodus) and more.
The Reba Meyers LTD RM-600 is the first Signature Series guitar ever offered by ESP based on the design of a female guitar player (the company has previously done a signature bass for Doris Yeh of Chthonic). Based on the Viper shape, the RM-600 features neck-thru-body construction, a mahogany body in a new Black Marble Satin finish, a 3-piece maple neck with Macassar ebony fingerboard, a reverse headstock based on the LTD M Series, a single EMG 81 pickup with special orange logo, and an EMG TKO kill switch. Code Orangeās album Forever was nominated for 2018 Grammy award in the āBest Metal Performanceā category.
Other new Signature Series models include the LTD SC-607B1H, a new signature model for Stephen Carpenter (Deftones). Built at 27ā baritone scale, itās a 7-string guitar that features neck-thru-body construction, a single Fishman Fluence SRC Signature pickup, and a new Purple Satin finish. The LTD GL-200MT is a new signature model for iconic guitarist George Lynch, and is a lower-priced version of Lynchās famous ESP M-1 Tiger guitar with its yellow finish and tiger stripe graphics. Similarly, the LTD FBJ-400 is a new and more affordable version of the signature model for Anthrax bass player Frank Bello. Itās available in a Black Satin finish, and includes EMG P-HZ/EMG LJ-HZ pickups with red covers. The LTD TED-600T is a new TE shaped guitar for Ted Aguilar of Death Angel with neck-thru-body construction, a mahogany body with maple cap, a set of EMG 60/EMG 81 pickups with white covers, and a matching Snow White finish with white binding. The LTD KS-M6 is a 6-string version of the signature model for guitarist Ken Susi of Unearth. ESP has also updated available finishes on two other popular Signature Series models, with Gary Holtās LTD GH-600 model now being offered in Snow White, and Bill Kelliherās LTD Sparrowhawk now being offered in Black.
LTD Deluxe ā1000 Seriesā guitars have long been among ESPās most popular and best-selling models due to their combination of professional-quality designs and components along with appealing, affordable pricing for instruments of their caliber. ESP has announced a number of new ā1000 Seriesā models for 2019.
The unique and bold Arrow guitar shape is now being offered in the LTD Deluxe series for the first time with the Arrow-1000, being offered in Snow White and Violet Andromeda finishes. These guitars offer neck-thru-body construction and high-end components including Grover tuners, Floyd Rose bridge, and an EMG 85/EMG 81 pickup set. The Arrow is also being added to the LTD Black Metal Series with the Arrow Black Metal, featuring a Black Satin finish, black hardware, and single EMG 81 pickup.
The popular LTD EC guitar shape, based on the single-cutaway ESP Eclipse, is getting three new models. The EC-1001T/CTM is being offered in Silver Sunburst Satin and Snow White finishes. These guitars offer set-thru construction, a full-thickness chambered mahogany body with maple cap, and a set of EMG 66-TW/EMG 57-TW pickups. These āTWINā pickups are being offered for the first time on a production guitar, and allow users to split the active neck and bridge pickups with push-pull controls. The EC-1000T is another chambered full-full-thickness model, available in Honey Burst Satin finish. This model offers Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic Humbucker pickups with three voicings, also the first production guitar to offer this innovative pickup.
The new LTD TE-1000 EverTune is the first TE guitar shape ESP has offered that includes the powerful and innovative EverTune constant tension bridge. It also features the new independently splittable EMG 57/66 TWIN set, and is available in an attractive Black Natural Burst finish. The classic-shaped SN-1000FR, offered in Pearl White finish, has a traditional bolt-on roasted maple neck on an alder body, a Floyd Rose bridge, and an H/S/S pickup set with two Seymour Duncan Hot Strat single coils and a Seymour Duncan Custom 5 humbucker with a push-pull coil split control. Several new LTD Deluxe ā1000 Seriesā models offer exciting and innovative new color fade finishes. The H-1001FR is available in Violet Shadow Fade; the MH-1000HS is being offered in Violet Shadow Fade and Black Cherry Fade; the 7-string MH-1007 comes in Black Fade finish. The LTD Xtone Series also has new ā1000 Seriesā additions with the PS-1000, available in Violet Shadow and Purple Sparkle finishes and employing Seymour Duncan Phat Cat overwound single-coil pickups.
ESP Guitars has announced a collection of new premier-quality guitar models in their ESP E-II Series. ESP E-II are guitars that are produced at the ESP factory in Japan.
The E-II Arrow-NT is being debuted in three finishes: Black, Snow White, and Black Silver Fade, while the E-II Arrow also gets new Snow White and Silver Fade finishes. This bold V-shaped guitar features neck-thru-body construction with alder body and 3-piece maple neck and ebony fingerboard. It offers a Floyd Rose Original bridge, or a Gotoh TOM bridge with string-thru-body for Non-Trem (NT) version. Other high-end components include an EMG 85/EMG 81 pickup set and Gotoh locking tuners.
The E-II Eclipse-7 EverTune is a 7-string guitar in the popular single-cutaway Eclipse shape that includes the innovative EverTune constant tension bridge system. Available in Black Satin finish, the guitar includes set-thru construction, a mahogany body with maple cap, and a Seymour Duncan Sentient/Pegasus pickup set with push-pull coil splitting. Three new finishes/tops have been announced for the E-II Eclipse: Blue Natural Fade with a Buckeye burl maple top, Black Natural Burst with a flamed maple top, and Snow White Satin with a maple cap. These models include the new EMG 57/66 TWIN set for coil splitting each active pickup.
Three new ESP E-II Horizon models have been announced for 2019. These include the E-II Horizon-III FR, available in Black Cherry Fade finish. Itās a neck-thru-body design with a Floyd Rose Original bridge and a set of Seymour Duncan SH-2n/Custom 5 pickups. The E-II Horizon FR comes in Black Natural Burst finish and also includes an Original Floyd, along with a Seymour Duncan Sentient/Pegasus pickup set. The E-II Horizon NT-II comes in Tiger Eye Amber Fade finish, and includes an EMG 66/57 pickup set. All three models have quilted maple tops and coil splitting control. The E-II M-II NT offers a Buckeye burl maple top in Black Natural Fade finish, and includes a Hipshot bridge and a set of Bare Knuckle Aftermath Tyger pickups. A 7-string version, the E-II M-II 7, comes in Purple Natural Fade finish with a set of Bare Knuckle Warpig 7st Tyger pickups. The E-II SN-2 is a new model in Blue Natural Fade finish. A classic shape with an alder body and bolt-on neck, it includes a Floyd Rose Original bridge and Bare Knuckle Aftermath Battleworn pickups. The E-II Viper offers a premium-quality version of the asymmetrical double-cut Viper shape, with set-thru construction and high-end components, including an EMG 66/57 TWIN pickup set with coil splitting, and is available in Black and Urban Camo finishes.
ESP Guitars is introducing 13 new bass models in their popular and affordable LTD Series for 2019.
The AP-4 Black Metal is the first bass addition to the LTD Black Metal Series, a collection that debuted in 2018 to immediate acclaim. The AP-4 Black Metal offers the classic shape of the AP Series basses, with a bolt-on maple neck and an alder body, but adds the distinctive menacing cosmetic vibe of Black Satin finish, all black hardware, and a black LTD logo on the headstock. The bass includes pro-quality components including Grover tuners, a Babicz FCH-4 bridge, and a single EMG 35CS pickup. The AP Series bass series also expanded with new Pelham Blue finishes for the AP-4 and AP-5 basses, as well as a new Snow White finish for the affordable AP-204.
Four big updates to basses in the LTD B Series are also being debuted at NAMM 2019. The B-1004 Multi-Scale and B-1005 Multi-Scale now make use of environmentally-friendly and great-looking ziricote tops on swamp ash bodies, and the basses also now include an upgraded black bone nut, as well as the angled fret multi-scale design, Gotoh tuners, Hipshot Solo bridge, and Nordstrand Big Splits pickup set of the previous model. The updated B-1004 and B-1005 basses have been switched to tops made of bocote, an exotic figured wood that is sustainable, and offer Gotoh tuners and bridge along with the Nordstrand Big Splits pickup set. All four of the updated B Series basses have a Natural Satin finish.
The LTD Stream Series has returned to the ESP lineup by popular demand, with a new flat-top redesign. The Stream-1004 and Stream-1005 have premium features that include a swamp ash body with solid burled maple top, a 5-piece maple/purple heart neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard, Hipshot bridge and EMG pickup set. These new basses are being offered in Black Natural Burst finish. The new Stream-204 and Stream-205 are for more budget-minded bass players, and include a mahogany body, a 3-piece maple neck with roasted jatoba fingerboard, and a Black Satin finish.
Finally, the LTD Signature Series bass for Frank Bello of Anthrax now has an even more affordable version with the FBJ-400. This bass offers a set of EMG P-HZ/EMG LJ-HZ pickups with red covers that look great on the Black Satin finish.
For more information:
ESP Guitars
Brent Mason is, of course, on of the most recorded guitarists in history, who helped define the sound of most ā90s country superstars. So, whether you know it or not, youāve likely heard Masonās playing.
Professional transcriber Levi Clay has done the deepest of dives into Brent Masonās hotshot licks. At one point, he undertook the massive project of transcribing and sharing one of Masonās solos every day for 85 or so days. Mason is, of course, on of the most recorded guitarists in history, who helped define the sound of most ā90s country superstars. So, whether you know it or not, youāve likely heard Masonās playing. Levi shares the insight he gleaned from digging deep, and he tells us what it was like when they shared a stage last year. Plus, Levi plays us some great examples of Masonās playing.
For the first time ever, two guitar greats, John 5 and Richie Kotzen will be heading out on the road this year. The tour will launch October 16 and run through November, hitting markets across the U.S.
Find the full tour itinerary right plus a link for tickets & VIP, including additional dates featuring John 5 only. Reserved seating tickets will go on sale Friday May 16 though a fan presale will begin today at noon local time and fans are strongly encouraged to buy early to get the best seats.
Meet and Greets for both artists will be available. For John 5 please go to: https://john5store.com/collections/vip.
Today, John 5 also announces more details of his anticipated new album. Called The Ghost, it will be released October 10 and is led by the new track āFiend,ā featuring Kenny Aronoff.
John 5 continues running public tours this month for his Knights In Satanās Service Museum of KISS Memorabilia in Los Angeles, California. Guided tours are open to the public for one month only (with a possible expansion). Current dates available are May 12-16, May 19-23 and May 27-30. Each will be led by John 5 himself who will provide tons of rich detail and answer any questions. Secure your place HERE.
JOHN 5 continues to tour with Mötley Crüe including an upcoming residency in Las Vegas in 2025.RICHIE KOTZEN &
JOHN 5 FALL 2025 TOUR
October 16 El Cajon, CA @ Magnolia
October 17 Riverside, CA @ Fox Performing Arts
October 18 Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
October 19 San Jose, CA @ The Ritz
October 21 Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
October 22 Albuquerque, NM @ KiMo Theatre
October 24 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
October 25 Leander, TX @ The Haute Spot
October 27 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
October 28 Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall
October 29 Nashville, TN @ Fogg Street Lawn Club
October 30 Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
October 31 Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
November 1 Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
November 2 Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre
November 4 Richmond, VA @ The National
November 5 Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho Theater
November 6 Patchogue, NY @ Patchogue Theatre
November 11 Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
November 12 Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
November 13 Foxborough, MA @ Six String Grill & Stage
November 14 Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater
November 15 Lorain, OH @ Lorain Palace Theatre
November 16 Columbus, OH @ The King Of Clubs
November 17 Warrendale, PA @ Jergels
November 19 Wyandotte, MI @ District 142
November 20 Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
November 21 Fort Wayne, IN @ Piereās
November 22 St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
November 23 Belvidere, IL @ Apollo Theatre
November 25 Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
November 29 Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet's*
*John 5 only
AEROSMITH guitarist and songwriter JOE PERRY is set to return to the road for a series of August performances with THE JOE PERRY PROJECT. The 8-date run kicks off August 13 in Tampa, FL and wraps August 23 in Port Chester, New York, with an August 19 performance in PERRYās Boston hometown (see the itinerary below). For the North American trekāwhich marks the first solo shows for PERRY this yearāthe legendary guitarist will be joined by his Aerosmith bandmates Brad Whitford (guitar) and Buck Johnson (keys), along with The Black Crowesā Chris Robinson (vocals), and Stone Temple Pilotsā Robert DeLeo (bass), and Eric Kretz (drums).
āWellā¦itās time to let the music do the talkin again,ā PERRY says. āIām really excited about the JPP line up this year!!!! Most of these guys played with me at The Roxy in L.A. at the debut event for my latest solo album [Sweetzerland Manifesto] in January 2018. Theyāre all busy as hell but thankfully theyāre able to carve out some time for this run. And Iām not only lucky enough to have Brad Whitford onstage with me but Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes! [who sang āFortunate Oneā on Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII], Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz from STP!!! and Buck Johnson who plays keys and sings with Aerosmith, the Hollywood Vampires, and is also a solo artist in his own right.ā
For the shows, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee says āthe set list is gonna include my fav JPP cuts, STP, Black Crowes, and with Brad weāll be hitting the Aero hits and some deep cuts and then ya never know!!!! Gonna be a BLAST, and if youāve ever been to one of my shows you know the words GARAGE BAND on STEROIDS come to mind! See you there!!!!ā
DATE | LOCATION | VENUE |
Wednesday, August 13 | Tampa, FL | Seminole Hard Rock - Tampa |
Thursday, August 14 | Hollywood, FL | Seminole Hard Rock - Hollywood |
Saturday, August 16 | Toronto, ON | HISTORY |
Sunday, August 17 | Muskoka, ON | Kee to Bala |
Tuesday, August 19 | Boston, MA | Wang Theatre |
Wednesday, August 20 | Hampton Beach, NH | Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom |
Friday, August 22 | Mashantucket, CT | The Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino |
Saturday, August 23 | Port Chester, NY | Capitol Theatre |
A sample page from the authorās analog log.
Seasonal changes are tough on your acoustic. Hereās how you can take better care of your prized instrument.
As you read this, spring is in bloom in most of the US, or maybe it has been for some time. Iām timing this column specifically to ask acoustic guitarists, in this season of increasing humidity and comfortable conditions, to prepare for whatās coming. Itās never too soon, and time flies. Before you know it, weāll be back to the maintenance phase and you might be blowing up the phones of your local guitar shops, luthiers, and techs. Iām here to encourage a decidedly old-school approach to preventative guitar maintenance, and yes, it starts now.
Why, you ask? Well, as the lead luthier at Acoustic Music Works, I can tell you that in my nearly 15 years in this position, this was the worst winter ever for preventable repairs on acoustic guitars. Fret sprout, bridge lifts, top sink, soundboard cracks, back cracks, loose binding, general malaise⦠These hit us very hard in the winter that spanned 2024 and 2025. Am I complaining? On the one hand, no. This is part of how we make our money. On the other hand, yes! Repair schedules related to dryness and humidity issues can stretch into weeks and even months, and nobody wants to be without their favorite instruments for that amount of time. With a little thoughtfulness, however, you might get through next winter (and every one thereafter) without hefty repair bills or time apart from your musical companion.
Our preparation is going to start with an unlikely but very important guitar accessory: the humble notebook. Plain, lined, grid, day planner⦠it doesnāt matter. We all need to actively participate in our instrument maintenance, and in my experience, fancy apps that track humidity via Bluetooth breed a kind of laziness, a feeling of safety that might prevent us from actually physically looking in on conditions. Better we keep an analog, well, log, so that we know where things stand, and I suggest checking in daily.
āThis was the worst winter ever for preventable repairs on acoustic guitars.ā
Track your relative humidity, both in the case and in the room where your instruments mostly reside, but also take notes on your action height, top deflection (StewMac has some great tips for measuring this) and anything related to playability that you believe you can observe empirically.
Dryness is the root cause of most guitar issues that manifest in the fall and winter months. Symptoms of dryness include sharp fret ends, falling action and dead frets, sunken top around the sound hole, and cracks and bridge lifts. With your trusty notebook, youāll get a feel for the sensitivity level of your instrument, and that knowledge is power!
A few other basic implements will not only assist you in your observations, but may also satisfy your need to buy guitar-related things (at least for a minute). Getting quick and comfortable with a fret rocker is a great skill to have, and is invaluable in diagnosing buzzes due to high frets or frets that have come unseated due to dryness. A well-calibrated relief gauge might seem luxurious, but it can prevent you from making unnecessary or extreme truss rod adjustments. A string action gauge, or even a simple machinistās rule or set of feeler gauges, will help you keep track of your action. Get a three-pack of hygrometers so you can average their readings, rather than depending on one.
Lest we forget: A guitar can not only be too dry, it can also be too wet. By beginning your maintenance diligence in the spring/summer, youāll also be able to tell if your instrument is the victim of a too-humid environment. The signs of over-humidification are subtle: Your action may rise from a puffed-up top, and in extreme cases, glue joints could begin to fail. In my experience, an over-humidified guitar will suffer from dulled tone, almost like a sock in the sound hole. If youāre sensing a lack of clarity in your guitar all of a sudden, start with new strings. If it persists, it might be due to over-humidification, and you may want to introduce a desiccant to the case for a time. The more lightly built your guitar is, the more sensitive it will be to seasonal changes.
By getting into these habits early, youāll be empowered by knowing your instrument more intimately. Youāll understand when and why changes in tone and playability might have occurred, and youāll hopefully save on repair bills year-round. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Who knows? I might just send you a notebook with an AMW sticker on the cover!