Does my ESP Eclipse sound bad?

[Mike J.]

Hey folks,
For a long time I have been asking myself what my ESP Eclipse (equipped with Seymour duncans NOT with EMGs) has in common with a real Gibson. Sometimes I feel the Eclipse sounds a little bit hollow, little lack of warmth. I wanted a Les Paul sound and the Eclipse was handcrafted very well and it sounded very good at first "hear". The more I play this guitar, the more I am asking myself if I was better of with an Epi or a Gibson Studio or BFG. The playability of the Eclipse is a dream, really, I love the feel of that guitar, but the sound?!?!?!? Would you think that changing the PUs would make a difference to get more warm bottom end? I have shot two videos that are up on the tube. Please do me a favour...would you guys please listen to them and let me know what you think. Maybe I am just imagining this guitar sounding sterile...Thanks in advance for your feedback, it's appreciated.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohlJ08rGlx4]YouTube - Eclipse Blues[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h17yaQI0MCk]YouTube - Marshall RI JTM45 + ESP Eclipse I + OCD[/ame]

 

[fast1]

sounds alright to me.

 

[nwobhm]

It sounds good to me, just not a les paul sound. It reminds me of the Fernandes Monterey I had, cool sound just not a paul. I ended up selling it, just wasn't me. The old Burny's and Gibsons I own have that sound I like, thicker warmer mids. Sometimes you just need a paul to get that thick warm tone.

 

[RetropM]

Sounds good man. I have an ESP Eclipse as well and you aren't going to get a true Les Paul sound from it because of the thinner body. Mine has EMGs and sounds brighter than my Les Paul with EMGs.

 

[MyChemicalRomanceFan]

Sounds great to me.

 

[cynic79]

Sounds good to me.

Are the pickups a JB/59 combo? I've heard some people complain that the the JB is a bit brittle sounding, although many people swear by it.

 

[BOSSRHINO44]

Sound pretty good to me bro!

 

[Mike J.]

Thanks for your replies. I think I will have to make a "face to face" comparison in a shop. The thinner body of the ESP might be the thing that leads to the hollower sound...and that bothers me a bit. We'll see - sure this is a greatly handcrafted guitar, but if I find what I was looking for in a Paul, this thing will be sold.

 

[Iceman0124]

Percieved tone is in the ears of the indivual. How do you feel about the sound of the instrument unplugged? If you like everything else about the guitar....why dont you talk to Jonsey or hillbilly about caps, pots and wirring, that may be all you need to get what your after.

 

[nwobhm]

I don't think it will get that les paul tone he is looking for. Some guitars just won't do it. I've had a bunch of Hamers and PRS, Brian Moore, Monterey and other set neck guitars that no matter what upgrade I did, same caps, pickups, hardware atc. they just won't sound like a paul. I still like those other guitars though, because they sound different, especially my Hamers. My first love will always be a Les Paul though.

 

[Iceman0124]

Different caps, pups etc could help it sound more like he's after though, IE not traditional LP fare, but something that helps the differences of his guitar come closer to the tone he is seeking.

 

[6shooter]

I can't tell, is that the 22 fret model or the 24 fret one? That could have a lot to do with it.

 

[boycey]

Its hard to tell really, each one of us is hearing it through a different set of speakers etc. so there's a lot of variables there. The thinner body will certainly make a difference tone wise, but either way I think it sounds great. The 'face to face' idea in a shop should give you peace of mind. Personally I wouldn't be in a hurry to give up a nice Eclipse like that though, you could easily spend years (and a lot of money) trying out different Les Pauls from different companies before you find 'that tone'. Then again thats all part of the fun!

 

[Cyanide]

i think it sounds awesome... but if you want a warmer sound you could try PAF clones...

 

[Mike J.]

Thank you guys for your replies. The Eclipse is a great guitar, great craftmanship there's no doubt about that, it's just that it doesn't do the job for me. I am quite sure now that a pu exchange will not bring the desired result, so I will be looking for an original Gibson throughout the rest of the year. I am in no hurry and I will take my time. I am happy to hear that most of you like the sound of my Eclipse, this really built me up a little more, I was actually thinking that there is only few people liking that sound.