
ESP LTD Arrow
ESP Guitars hit the ground running in 2024 with the introduction of 19 new additions to the company’s popular LTD Deluxe Series.
Two new models were added to the Arrow Series with the Arrow-1000 (Dark Brown Sunburst Satin)and the Arrow-1007 Baritone EverTune (Black). Both guitars feature the beveled body and completelyunique V shape of the ESP Arrow, and both offer neck-thru-body construction, stainless steel frets, and aset of Fishman’s multi-voice Fluence Modern Humbucker pickups. The Arrow-1007 Baritone EverTune isa seven-string model at 27” baritone scale that also includes the EverTune constant tension bridge.
The SN-1 HTBaritone (Black) is another 27” baritone scale guitar that’s built with bolt-on construction. It features adense swamp ash body and a bolt-on five-piece thin u-shaped roasted maple/purple heart neck,Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, scalloped from frets 17-24.Components include a black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thru body, and a multi-voiceFishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active bridge pickupA new addition to the Viper Series comes with the LTD Deluxe Viper-1000 (Vintage Black). This double-horned guitar is built at 24.75” scale with set-thru construction. It features a Macassar ebony fingerboardwith 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a TonePros TOM bridge and tailpiece, and a set of multi-voiceFishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups. The XJ-1 HT (Black Blast) offers bolt-onconstruction at 25.5” scale, with a textured sandblasted Black Blast finish on its swamp ash body. Otherfeatures include a roasted maple neck, tilt-back reverse headstock, Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thru body, and a Fishman FluenceOpen Core Classic bridge pickup with two voices accessible via push-pull control.Detailed information and specs on the entire LTD Deluxe Series is available on the ESP web site at www.espguitars.com.
LTD EC
ESP’s single-cutaway LTD EC Series received several new additions that include the EC-01FT, availablein Black, Olympic White, and Vintage Burst finishes. The EC-01FT is a streamlined take on the ECdesign, with a flat-top body and clean electronics layout. Features and components on the EC-01FTinclude set-thru construction at 24.75” scale, a slightly wider 43mm nut, 22 extra-jumbo stainless steelfrets, and a recessed TonePros TOM bridge with string thru body. The EC-01FT also features the Custom14, a new custom pickup designed exclusively for ESP by Seymour Duncan that is purpose-built to coverthe specific needs of the ESP player, with a push-pull control to split the coils. Other new additions to theLTD Deluxe EC Series include newly-updated EC-1000 (Black) and EC-1000 (See Thru Black Cherry)models that now feature Fishman Fluence pickups, and the EC-1007 Baritone EverTune (Black), whichis a seven-string guitar at 27” baritone scale that features an EverTune constant tension bridge.
LTD Deluxe H3
The LTD Deluxe H3-1000FR (Metallic Silver) offers set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, an extra-thinmaple neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Floyd Rose 1000 SEdouble-locking tremolo with stainless steel screws, and a direct-mounted pickup set that includes theexclusive Seymour Duncan Custom 14 paired with a cosmetically-matching Seymour Duncan APH-1Alnico II Pro humbucker in the neck position. The new M-1001 (Charcoal Metallic Satin) provides a flat-top alder body and satin-backed, extra-thin u-shaped three-piece maple neck. Built with bolt-onconstruction at 25.5” scale, the M-1001 includes a Macassar ebony fingerboard, 24 extra-jumbo stainlesssteel frets, a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo, and a direct-mount Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker multi-voice active pickup.
LTD M-1007
The LTD Deluxe M-1007 Baritone (Charcoal Burst Satin) is a seven-string guitarthat features set-thru construction at 27” baritone scale, and an alder body with quilted maple top. This model also includes an extra-thin u-shaped three-piece maple neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Floyd Rose 1000 SE tremolo with stainless steel screws, and a set ofdirect-mounted multi-voice Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups.— more —The MH-1000 EverTune (Charcoal Burst) combines design elements of ESP’s H/Horizon models, like itsarchtop body, and from the M/Mirage guitars, like its inline headstock and extra-thin u-shaped neck. Itoffers set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, a mahogany body with flamed maple top, 24 extra-jumbostainless steel frets, and the innovative EverTune constant tension bridge. Pickups on the MH-1000EverTune are Fishman’s innovative active multi-voice Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker activepickups. The MH-1000NT (Charcoal Burst) is a similar guitar that offers a TonePros locking TOM bridgewith string thru body.ESP’s new LTD Deluxe Phoenix-1001 (Tobacco Sunburst) is a neck-thru-body guitar at 25.5” scale witha three-piece mahogany neck, a Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, aTonePros TOM locking bridge and tailpiece, and the versatile and dynamic Seymour Duncan Custom 14,a new pickup made exclusively for ESP that offers high output and extraordinary tonal balance.
SN-1000
Three new additions have ben announced in the SN Series. The SN-1000 EverTune Koa (Natural Satin)offers bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, and features a mahogany body topped with Hawaiian Koa. Itincludes a satin-finished thin u-shaped maple neck, and a Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, and is scalloped from frets 15-22. Other features include the innovativeEverTune constant tension bridge, and a special set of pickups with an ESP-exclusive Seymour DuncanCustom 14 and a cosmetically-matching Seymour Duncan APH-1 Alnico II Pro humbucker. TheSN-1007HT Baritone (Fire Blast) provides the SN shape in a 27” baritone scale, with a sandblasted FireBlast finish on its swamp ash body, a 48mm black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thrubody, and a set of multi-voice Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups.
The SN-1 HT Baritone (Black) is another 27” baritone scale guitar that’s built with bolt-on construction. It features adense swamp ash body and a bolt-on five-piece thin u-shaped roasted maple/purple heart neck,Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, scalloped from frets 17-24.Components include a black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thru body, and a multi-voiceFishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active bridge pickupA new addition to the Viper Series comes with the LTD Deluxe Viper-1000 (Vintage Black). This double-horned guitar is built at 24.75” scale with set-thru construction. It features a Macassar ebony fingerboardwith 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a TonePros TOM bridge and tailpiece, and a set of multi-voiceFishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups. The XJ-1 HT (Black Blast) offers bolt-onconstruction at 25.5” scale, with a textured sandblasted Black Blast finish on its swamp ash body. Otherfeatures include a roasted maple neck, tilt-back reverse headstock, Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thru body, and a Fishman FluenceOpen Core Classic bridge pickup with two voices accessible via push-pull control.
Detailed information and specs on the entire LTD Deluxe Series is available on the ESP web site at www.espguitars.com.
In this episode of 100 Guitarists, we’re talking all things surf rock, from reverb to tremolo picking and much more. And while “Misrlou” is undisputedly his most influential work, maybe Dale’s best records didn’t come until a few decades later.
“All the kids in all L.A. / Come to hear Dick Dale play,” or so goes the title track from Dick Dale’s Wrecking Crew-heavy 1963 album, King of the Surf Guitar. Immodest though it might seem to proclaim such a status, he was indeed at the top of the heap.
For many, Dale’s legend precedes him. His sound, first heard in a So Cal beach ballroom, created the surf guitar vocabulary and transformed the guitar universe, starting with the 1962 release of his take on the traditional song “Misrlou.” Ever the showman, he worked closely with Leo Fender developing the right gear for the gig as he played his ripping instrumentals to larger and larger audiences. He also inspired a Hendrix lyric and had a late-career renaissance thanks to Quentin Tarantino.
In this episode of 100 Guitarists, we’re talking all things surf rock, from reverb to tremolo picking and much more. And while “Misrlou” is undisputedly his most influential work, maybe Dale’s best records didn’t come until a few decades later.
This episode is sponsored byTraveler Guitar.
Advanced
Intermediate
- Learn how to incorporate open strings all the way up the fretboard.
- Build velocity in your playing without practicing speed exercises.
- Discover an easy way to steal licks from the pros using YouTube.
It’s universally known in the guitar community that Brad Paisley isn’t just some guy that strums a guitar and sings country songs. He’s widely respected as one of the best players in the country music scene and takes an unusual approach to achieve the sonic insanity that spills out of his guitar. From Telecasters, G-benders, and cranked Dr. Z amps to instrumental records and wild guitar solos getting mainstream country radio airtime, Paisley has solidified his place in the discussion of all-time greats, and not just in the country world. In this lesson, we’ll dive into one of the cornerstones of Brad’s playing that makes him so unique: open strings.
A couple of prefaces:
Most of the licks in this lesson are exponentially easier when hybrid picked.
And in case you didn’t know, YouTube allows you to alter the speed of videos. This is a massive tool to take advantage of when learning licks, practicing them, and getting them up to speed. Simply click the Settings button in the bottom right corner of the video player and select Playback Speed. This will allow you to speed up or slow down the video to your liking without any changes to pitch. Transients will become an issue the farther away from the original speed you go, but not enough to keep you from slowing a solo down 50 percent to really learn and nail the nuances.
We’ll start by just dipping a toe in the water for Ex. 1, looking at a small part of the solo from Brad’s song “Ticks.” This section is found at the 3:06 mark of the video below. Brad really likes to use open strings to provide color to licks, usually with the note falling outside of the established scale. This little nugget is entirely in the E major scale (E–F#–G#–A–B–C#–D#) with exception of the open 3rd string. The use of the open string throws a b3 into the mix, while making it feel faster with little added effort. If you were to play this lick at half speed, the open G string does not sound great—but that’s the whole idea behind what Brad is able to do with open string licks. At tempo, the open string sounds like a natural inflection and the lick has more velocity than if it were omitted.
Ex. 1
Ticks
In Ex. 2 we’re still looking at the “Ticks” solo but focusing on the back half. This entire section of the solo is a smorgasbord of open strings. The first phrase uses sliding and open strings to create an almost bouncy and circus feel. The use of the open G string allows Brad to travel up the fretboard with some very interesting flair. Then he uses the open 1st string in measure 2 to create momentum again, but in this instance, the open-string pull-offs fall inside the E major scale rather than acting as color tones. It’s much easier to connect this section of the lick to the previous by using the third finger to execute the bend and the fourth finger to start the new descending phrase. Lastly, Brad takes the solo home with a simple descending three-note-per-string pull-off lick that combines inside and outside notes.
Ex. 2
If you’ve ever listened to Paisley’s “Time Warp,” you know that it’s a gold mine of licks to steal. In Ex. 3, I’m focusing on a lick Brad plays on the “Live on Letterman” version, which occurs after the piano solo at the 1:23 mark in the video below. It’s worth noting that this is not the same line featured on the album version from Time Well Wasted. This lick is a perfect example of how Brad uses open strings to create velocity and really get going downhill at breakneck speeds. The lick is not overly complicated, but it is extremely fast, especially if you are new to hybrid picking. I’m playing it at roughly 75 percent speed so that the notes are intelligible and not just a blur. The lick is mostly based in the A Aeolian mode (A–B–C–D–E–F–G), with flatted second being the exception.
Ex. 3
Brad Paisley - Time Warp (Live on Letterman)
In this example (Ex. 4), we tackle a fantastic phrase from the solo to “Water.” The lick I’m breaking down falls around the 1:43 mark in the YouTube video. What’s so interesting is that while the song is in F major, Brad utilizes the open A, D, and G strings to navigate the fretboard vertically and create energy. My favorite thing about the descending pull-off section of this lick is that it’s a tame bluegrass-style lick in G, but it’s the placement of the lick over the chord changes that makes it sound interesting.
Ex. 4
Brad Paisley - Water
Ex. 5 is where things get really exciting. It’s from a live performance of “Water” during the 2010 ACM awards. At the 3:40 mark Brad uses an open-string lick to build tension and work his way up the fretboard that caught my attention. As before, it sounds monstrous at tempo but really doesn’t make a ton of sense when slowed down. It’s a fairly simple pull-off lick that isn’t too difficult if you’re already used to hybrid picking, but it creates a ton of movement and excitement when sped up. I’m guilty of stealing both this lick and the idea behind it for “wow” moments in solos.
Ex. 5
Brad Paisley - Water (live ACM Awards 2010)
It’s undeniable how freakishly good of a guitar player Brad Paisley is (try grabbing some of the monster licks from the outro of “Water”). Because of how many tricks he has up his sleeve, he’s nearly impossible to replicate, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something that everyone can take from Paisley’s bag of tricks. Use this concept of using open strings in unconventional places to add spice, speed, and mystique to your playing.
An easy guide to re-anchoring a loose tuning machine, restoring a “lost” input jack, refinishing dinged frets, and staunching a dinged surface. Result: no repair fees!
Unleash your inner metal icon with the Jackson Lee Malia LM-87, a high-performance shred-ready axe designed in collaboration with Bring Me The Horizon guitarist Lee Malia. Featuring custom Jackson signature pickups, a fast D-profile neck, and a TOM-style bridge for rock-solid stability, this signature model is a must-have for commanding metal tone and smooth playability.
British metal icon and Bring Me The Horizon guitarist Lee Malia has partnered with Jackson to create his signature LM-87, a shred-ready axe built for heavy riffing and alternative modern metal. As a founding member and lead guitarist of the Grammy-nominated band, Malia is renowned for his aggressive playing style and intricate solos. This high-performance guitar matches his demanding musicality.
With its offset Surfcaster™ body shape and vintage appeal, the LM-87 melds classic design with modern appointments. The thin open pore finish on the bound Okoume body and neck exudes organic style, while the unique 3-ply pickguard and chrome hardware add striking accents. The fast D-profile 3- piece okoume neck allows smooth riffing across the bound amaranth fingerboard.
Custom Jackson signature pickups, including a bridge humbucker with push-pull coil-split, equip the LM-87 with versatile tone-shaping options to fulfill Malia's sonic vision. The TOM-style bridge with anchored tailpiece and fine tuners provides rock-solid stability for low tunings and heavy picking.
Designed in close collaboration with the legendary guitarist, the Jackson Lee Malia LM-87 is built for shredding. Its blend of vintage vibe and high-performance features make this signature model a must-have for players who value commanding metal tone and smooth playability.
The Tune-o-matic bridge with an anchored tailpiece and fine tuners offers enhanced tuning stability and precise, incremental adjustments. This setup ensures consistent pitch control, improved sustain, and easier fine-tuning without affecting overall string tension.
The guitar’s three-piece set-neck guitar with graphite reinforcement offers exceptional strength, stability, and resistance to warping. The multi-piece construction enhances sustain and tonal clarity, while the graphite reinforcement adds extra durability and prevents neck shifting due to humidity or temperature changes. This design ensures a solid, reliable performance with improved resonance and longevity.
Features Include:
- Okoume body
- Three-piece okoume set neck construction with graphite reinforcement
- 12"-16" compound radius amaranth fingerboard
- 3-ply pickguard
- Chrome hardware
- Custom wound Jackson LM-87 pickups
- Volume with push-pull coil-split and tone control
- TOM-style bridge with anchored tailpiece and fine tuners
- Gig bag included
The Jackson LM-87 carries a street price of $899.99.
For more information, please visit jacksonguitars.com.