Can ESP reach the status of Gibson in the future?

[madcult]

I mean to me the ESP guitars and even some top LTD models are superior compared to same priced Gibson guitars.

I was on the market for a vintage LP Custom. After so much reading over here and other places I realize buying online one is too much of a risk.

There are definetly loads of Gibbys out there that are amazing guitars but than you read so many horror stories about the rest of them, the quality, playability etc. These kind of stories are with ESP very rare.

You have to try them out before because each of them is different even with the same specs. Yes you get a unique guitar but I rather would want to know this and this model from this era have these specs, dimensions, weight etc. It would be so much easier for us.

On the other hand ESP has amazing quality of their products through the whole range. If you buy Eclipse you can be pretty sure you getting exactly what are you expecting without any surprises.

Unfortunately the ESP did copied most of the original shapes from different manufacturers but hey at the end of the day it is about the feel not a logo.

Main question is.

Will ESP get in the future where their vintage guitars will be as expensive and in demand as Gibson?

PS: I do own LP, Ltd and did have ESP. Love all of them

What are your thoughts?

 

[So What]

If you do get the chance to check out some Gibson guitars in person, you will likely find that most of the QC complaints have been exaggerated.

My 2 cents...

.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

There are definetly loads of Gibbys out there that are amazing guitars but than you read so many horror stories about the rest of them, the quality, playability etc. These kind of stories are with ESP very rare.

What are your thoughts?

Because they don't sell anywhere near the same number of guitars?

 

[colchar]

Will ESP get in the future where their vintage guitars will be as expensive and in demand as Gibson?

How the hell is anyone here supposed to predict the future? That being said, it is highly unlikely that ESP will ever approach the status of Gibsons regardless of what some deluded fanboyz might think.

 

[slapshot]

Will ESP get in the future where their vintage guitars will be as expensive and in demand as Gibson?

they already are

 

[cmatthes]

Nope.

True, I can't predict the future, but I'm still right.

 

[Dr. Pain]

Nope. But what ESP make is really good. Doesn't matter if they don't have a much sort after vintage classic worth gazillion of dollars. They make products any of us can buy across two different brands and they are good guitars anyone can enjoy for a long time.

 

[Pwrmac7600]

There was a point and time where ESP was a prestigious guitar to own. And in the metal community they still are. It really doesn't matter if they are viewed the same as Gibson. They are very good guitars, and to the people who like them they are iconic in their own right.

 

[smorgdonkey]

I don't see them ever reaching the point that Gibson is presently. The used market on them is really weak. I love the guitars that they make but if I ever bought a new one and had to sell it, I would cry like a baby. They just pull such low prices on the second hand market which is very surprising to me.

 

[GERRYGTR62]

Maybe the USA models could very soon....I love my MIJ ESP Eclipse, it gets more playing time than my Gibson LP Classic Custom

 

[Chuck M]

How the hell is anyone here supposed to predict the future? That being said, it is highly unlikely that ESP will ever approach the status of Gibsons regardless of what some deluded fanboyz might think.

 

[TheX]

ESP has made some outstanding guitars. A lot of Gibson fanboys will never realize that, they don't have open eyes to things like that.

 

[doitforvangogh]

Main question is.

Will ESP get in the future where their vintage guitars will be as expensive and in demand as Gibson?

What are your thoughts?

No f'n way. Gibson is Gibson. Their quality, historically speaking, is so far above everyone else's it is almost unfair. Compare a 1955 Fender with any 1955 Gibson, no matter the instrument "class" (guitar, banjo, mandolin, what have ya) and then compare a 1988 Gibson to a 1988 ESP. No comparison.

ESP makes nice guitars, but they're never going to be commanding the premiums American vintage guitars command.

 

[Chuck M]

ESP has made some outstanding guitars. A lot of Gibson fanboys will never realize that, they don't have open eyes to things like that.

Gibson has made some outstanding guitars. A lot of ESP fanboys will never realize that, they don't have open eyes to things like that.

Chuck M

 

[Pwrmac7600]

This is coming from a "Gibson fan boy". As far as ESP's quality, I played in a band back in the day with a guitarist who had a slew of ESP custom shop guitar, and the build quality of those guitars was stellar! I am not talking about LTD lines, I am talking about the real deal ESP line, and the ESP custom shop line. Now with the introduction of the made in america ESP line, I have no doubt the build quality will be top notch. I don't think they will ever reach vintage gibson prices. But the ESP line are GREAT guitars, and Built extremely well, with quality parts.

 

[cybermgk]

People tend to tolerate more defects, in inverse proportion to price paid.

On other forums I spend time at, I have seen as many complaints about qc issues on both ESP and specially LTD. In the case of LTD, people aren't as up in arms, because they paid less. In other words, lower expectations exist.

 

[Tangerine]

My experiences with the higher end LTDs has been great, I used to have a EC-1000 and currently have a Truckster, both are excellent guitars. I'd love to own a custom shop ESP but they are too pricey for me.

 

[smorgdonkey]

and then compare a 1988 Gibson to a 1988 ESP. No comparison.

The late '80s ESP instruments were near perfect.


...but, that said...

they're never going to be commanding the premiums American vintage guitars command.

...it's just the way that it is.

 

[Left Paw]

Yes, ESP guitars will be there right after G&L reaches the status of Gibson...

 

[rich85]

Who cares about status

ESP make far, far superior guitars to the regular Gibson USA line of guitars

If Gibson keep increasing prices and doing stupid changes nobody wants, ESP is the next manufacturer in line to sell a heap of their eclipses to Gibson customers IMO

ESP need to change their lack of options though, they will simply never get the sales only selling "thin U" necks