I know what you're thinking- LTDs are the Squiers & Epiphones of the ESP brand name & they can never surpass that standard. Back in the final quarter of 2012, the ESP company launched the LTD Elite series which were top-of-the-line LTD models & they were made in Japan. Yes, those were perhaps the only LTDs to be manufactured in Japan, rivaling the ESPs in build & performance. Sadly, due to a manufacturing re-structure, the Elites were around only for a year (2013). By 2014, the models were usurped into the E-II range & the manufacturer had a different distribution focus for its products. Nevertheless, you can still scout for the LTD Elites in online stores but more importantly, the very few that were left recently made it here at Davis GMC. The M-II you see above is one of them.
Construction/ fit/ finish
True to its Japanese pedigree,everything about this guitar is up to standard. If you are familiar with the ESP products, you can simply feel the class oozing through your hands as you play them but these are not the Custom Shop mark, I'd say it's closer to the Japanese Edwards more than anything else. You need to note the Floyd Rose in use; it's the 1000 series as opposed to the FROs in the ESPs. I love everything about the guitar because it definitely manifests itself as a class above the any top notch LTDs out there. As such, there are no adversities to report in this category. Impressive.
Playability/ Tone.
The neck carve on offer is ESP's own U-profile (it's a finished neck, folks, oh ye with sweaty palms, be warned) which is shred-thin but not as slicing as some of the Ibanez Wizard profiles you'd come across. Then again, ESP has no obligations to replicate its rival's specs. Thanks to the neck-through design, upper fret reach is a breeze. The ebony fretboard trumps the presence in feel. You'd argue that those Gibsons out there featuring the synthetic Richlite material could rival this consideration but the feel of wood here in undeniable. That's my primary delight. The overall weight (alder body) does good for strap-on moments, there is enough pull-down to accentuate sustain but it's nothing taxing on the spine.
Moving on to tone, the M-II is a typical EMG affair (81 in both neck & bridge), very scorching in terms of distortion & could have been more desirable in clean mode. However, my personal take here is that the gain-friendly tone & overall being simply exudes class.
Conclusion
One more time- the LTD Elites are no more. What you find in the stores (online ones included) are the leftovers. The manufacturer didn't exterminate this series of instruments because of their sub-par commercial nature or their regrets in bringing an LTD offering up into a very exclusive standard. They had established themselves State-side & there was a need to re-think some offerings. An LTD Elite is a delightful model to own if you are not too bothered by the 'LTD' tag & your willingness to pay for one (reminder- Made in Japan). A hard case is also included so there's much satisfaction to consider.
Rating: 85%
LTD: M-II Elite (discontinued)
Availability: Davis GMC
Price: $1,500
PS: April is a special month for me & to show my gratitude to all my devoted readers, there will be a give-away activity happening soon so it will be a good Friday indeed :-)
