North Hollywood, CA (November 20, 2019) -- ESP Guitars has just debuted the first 15 guitar models for their “New for 2020” collection. Details on this “Phase I” of the new model announcements can be seen at the ESP web site. The company also stated that several more phases of new model announcements will happen between now and the NAMM Show in January.
The new models announced include the return of the popular Phoenix shape in the new LTD Deluxe Phoenix-1000 See Thru Black Cherry, featuring a pair of Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups and the Phoenix-1000 Vintage White with a Seymour Duncan Phat Cat single-coil in the neck position and a Seymour Duncan Custom in the bridge.
The LTD Black Metal Series has expanded with the debut of the LTD M-HT Black Metal and the 7-string LTD M-7HT Baritone Black Metal. These are hardtail versions of the Black Metal M Series guitar. Both models are neck-thru-body designs that feature a Hipshot bridge with string-thru body setup for sustain and stability. They also feature the special single direct-mounted Seymour Duncan Blackened Black Winter passive pickup. Additionally, ESP has announced more M-shaped new models with the LTD Deluxe M-1000HT and the seven-string LTD Deluxe M-1007HT. Both of these new guitars are being offered with burled poplar tops finished in Black Natural Fade, and both offer neck-thru-body construction. Pickups on these new M Series models are direct-mounted Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers.
ESP also announced several new EC Series models with the LTD Deluxe EC-1000 Blue Natural Fade, which has a burled poplar top on a mahogany body. This guitar includes a set of Seymour Duncan Sentient (neck) and Pegasus (bridge) passive pickups. The new LTD Deluxe EC-1000T Black Natural Burst has a traditional full-thickness mahogany body, chambered for weight relief, with a flamed maple cap. The LTD Deluxe EC-1000 Violet Andromeda offers ESP’s iridescent Violet Andromeda finish, and features Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups. The new LTD Deluxe H-1001FR is now being made available with a burled poplar top in Black Natural Burst finish, and includes a Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge that features stainless steel screws. The LTD Deluxe H-1001 has a superb quilted maple top in See Thru Black finish. The LTD Deluxe H3-1000 is being offered with a flamed maple top in Black Turquoise Burst finish, and includes direct-mount Seymour Duncan Sentient (neck) and Pegasus (bridge) passive pickups. The LTD Deluxe H3-1000FR comes in See Thru Black Sunburst finish over a flamed maple top, and also includes a Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge that features stainless steel screws.
Two new LTD Deluxe Viper-1000 guitars have been announced. Both models offer a mahogany body with an exceptional quilted maple top, and are being made available in See Thru Purple Sunburst and Tiger Eye Sunburst finishes. They feature direct-mount Seymour Duncan Sentient (neck) and Pegasus (bridge) passive pickups.
ESP emphasizes that many more “New for 2020” models will be debuted in several phases between now and the start of NAMM, which is being held as usual in Anaheim, CA starting on January 16, 2020. Detailed specifications and more information on all new models will be available on the ESP web site at that time.
For more information:
ESP Guitars
Question: What picking style have you devoted yourself to the most, and why does it work for you?
Guest Picker - Mei Semones
Mei’s latest album, Kabutomushi.
A: The picking style I’ve practiced the most is alternate picking, but the picking style I usually end up using is economy picking. Alternate feels like a dependable way to achieve evenness when practicing scales and arpeggios, but when really playing, it doesn’t make sense to articulate every note in that way, and obviously it’s not always the fastest.
Obsession: My current music-related obsession is my guitar, my PRS McCarty 594 Hollowbody II. I think it will always be an obsession for me. It’s so comfortable and light, has a lovely, warm, dynamic tone, and helps me play faster and cleaner. This guitar feels like my best friend and soulmate.
Reader of the Month - Jin J X
Photo by Ryan Fannin
A: For decades, the Eric Johnson-style “hybrid picking” with a Jazz III for “pianistic” voicings. Great for electric, though not so much acoustic. I’ve been recently learning to use a flatpick, à la Brian Sutton, by driving the pick “into” the string at an angle—which makes me think of Pat Metheny and George Benson, without irony.
Obsession: I’m still focused on understanding the concepts of jazz, neo-classical, and beyond, though I’m also becoming obsessed with George Van Eps’ 7-string playing, flatpicking, hip-hop beats, the Hybrid Guitars Universal 6 guitar, and the secret life of the banjo.
Editorial Director - Ted Drozdowski
A: Decades ago, under the sway of Mississippi blues artists R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, and Jessie Mae Hemphill, I switched from plectrum to fingerstyle, developing my own non-traditional approach. It’s technically wrong, but watching R.L., in particular, freestyle, I learned there is no such thing as wrong if it works.
Obsession: Busting out of my songwriting patterns. With my band Coyote Motel, and earlier groups, I’ve always encouraged my talented bandmates to play what they want in context, but brought in complete, mapped-out songs. Now, I’m bringing in sketches and we’re jamming and hammering out the arrangements and melodies together. It takes more time, but feels rewarding and fun, and is opening new territory for me.
Managing Editor - Kate Koenig
A: I have always been drawn to fingerpicking on acoustic guitar, starting with classical music and prog-rock pieces (“Mood for a Day” by Steve Howe), and moving on to ’70s baroque-folk styles, basic Travis picking, and songs like “Back to the Old House” by the Smiths. I love the intricacy of those styles, and the challenge of learning to play different rhythms across different fingers at the same time. This is definitely influenced by my classical training on piano, which came before guitar.
Obsession: Writing and producing my fifth and sixth albums. My fifth album, Creature Comforts, was recorded over the past couple months, and features a bunch of songs I wrote in 2022 that I had previously sworn to never record or release. Turns out, upon revisiting, they’re not half bad! While that one’s being wrapped, I’m trying to get music written for my sixth, for which I already have four songs done. And yes, this is a flex. 💪😎