ESP/LTD 2018 (3): Set

What I like about the LTD camp is the fact that they won't hold back when it comes to considerations for the lower tier models. The EX-200 is now a set-neck construction.

Ditto the H-200.

American standard?

You'd think that American craftsmanship takes pride in giving you the best money has to offer but the reality is this; when the products are from the lower tier offerings, cutting corners are inevitable. It's like having them done in some third world factory to spare the coffers. The example shown above- the short tenon with a chipped edge & that unforgivable gap there. The objective of a mortise-tenon alignment is its full contact coherence once adhesive is applied. Any gaps in this discipline, there is a compromise in strength & in this case, it affects resonance. This tragedy here is a hidden anomaly because there is a pick guard hiding it all.

UNO: Warzone 2 (Part 4)

A look at the Warzone 2's headstock; a simple outline, very ESP-like. The fittings here are impressive, ditto the binding & decal placement.

The flip-side is equally impressive. The volute under the nut implies a fortified area & that's a wise consideration since that's where it's prone to snapping.

Neck & body joint- I've indicated the line there which means it's a set-neck type. Absolutely good news for us shredders or upper fret explorers alike; considerably less hindrance to impede our movements.

Beneath the paint

You might have seen this pic before, allegedly, it's a Gibson guitar, some dweeb stripped the paint off his instrument & saw this beneath the glorious finish- bad workmanship as evident.

This is not an attempt to be derisive of the Gibson brand name; for goodness sake, I own Gibson guitars (also, it isn't final as to whether it's really a Gibson). The implication here is, what you can't see won't harm you but once discovered, it's a cause for vehemence, especially after paying a fortune for the instrument.