Guitar Of The Week 4: ESP LTD H3-1000FR 

The H-3 or Horizon 3 is the designation for this specific body shape with the asymmetrical body & elongated upper horn. There are 3 variants of the ESP Horizon. Horizon-1 : has a more classic, superstrat body which is fully carved (like a PRS Custom) and comes with a Humbucker in the bridge & a rails mini-humbucker in the neck.( usually it's a Duncan Distortion with a Hot Rails on the production models) Horizon-2: has the same body as the Horizon-1 but comes with 2 proper humbuckers. ( either some type of active EMG's or passive S. Duncans, but other brands have been used too) Horizon-3: has this body shape here, still fully carved but it's asymmetrical & the upper horn is elongated, comes also with 2 humbuckers. It looks kinda similar to the EBMM Petrucci Majesty models, but the Horizon-3 was released at least a decade earlier. All 3 variants are always neck-through and there are different models with fixed bridge, OFR, all types of humbuckers ( passive S. Duncans, active EMG's etc.), various finishes, even different headstocks ( they use either this one here or the 3+3 ''Teardrop" variant). Great guitars, not just for shredding, they're very versatile and have a very ''fat'' sustain, even the OFR versions. I think due to the neck-through design. LTD is ESP's ''Import'' brand that are made outside of Japan, in various East Asian countries. They range from beginners guitars ( 200 Series) to intermediate player models ( 400 Series) to pro-level models that are spec'd to the gills ( 1000 or Deluxe Series), there's also the 600 Series, which are usually import versions of the ESP signature artist models, they are basically similar to the 1000/Deluxe Series. The LTD 1000/Deluxe Series has gone up in price recently, but these are usually well build and they come with great specs ( ss-frets, brand name pickups, 1000/1500 Series Floyds with upgraded tuners) . The 1000 Series are either build in S. Korea or Indonesia. The MIJ ESP production line, now called ''E-II'' ( formerly known as ''Standard Series'') has become so expensive it's not even funny. And don't get me started on the Japanese custom shop models ( ''ESP Originals'')......

Gorgeous guitar! Keep it!! 😍🤘 You made it scream Steve!! Good job. Thnx

That's sounds nice. The neck looks good, I like the fact that it's through the body.

Simply beautiful and awesome sounds like a dream. Many thanks for your video and have a wonderful day ❤

now were talkin... Ive got the MH-1000 Evertune, shes a beauty. Glad you finally got your hands on one. Ive got an E-II M-II, it does have a chunkers neck but its grown on me and i think it adds to the sustain.

Thanks for sharing!!!

I am about to get this H3 on the Transparent Black Flame Maple top next week..glad to see this one here.

I have this exact guitar. It's amazing! Best feeling neck I have of any guitar. Weirdly it sounds great playing classical on the neck pickup split with the tone rolled all the way off.... Who'd of guessed, right?

If Russ Shipton was still alive, he would definitely be rockin" an ESP LTD H3-1000FR!

Ec 1000ltd is where its at. No need for anything more. Thankyou

ESP/LTD have great necks…I played an esp M II a few years ago…I still have dreams about that neck🫤

I've got a 2004ish? LTD mh250nt neck threw emg-hz pickups! Very nice! Thanks Steve 🤘

I have an old ESP (not LTD) Tele. It's a wonderful guitar and I loaned it years ago to my long-time guitarist and bandmate. He really doesn't want to give it back, LOL. But I don't mind - I'm not using it at the moment though that may change in the coming months as I've been asked to sing and play for a Country band. We'll see... but for the moment he gets to keep enjoying it. This one looks great and sounds killer, Steve.

The thin U has to be the best all around neck carve. It's slightly narrower than most vintage guitars, which makes it a bit tricky for fat fingered players. But once you adjust for it, there's nothing else around as fast feeling to play. I've got an '87 Eclipse NT in pearl white, with the thin U neck on it. Had to upgrade the cheap electronics. But after adding a treble bleed curcuit and a Mojotone oil filled cannister tone capacitor. The JB in the bridge is way mellower, and I can roll the volume down for loads of usable tones in all 3 switch positions. The coilsplit tones on this guitar are the best of ANY I've ever heard. The '59 in the neck just screams.

It is a great first ESP, isn't she a beauty?!

Gorgeous axe. Love that EMG 57/66

That is a Beautiful Guitar, sounds great! I had a blue ESP Horizon in the 90s, I sold it before I moved countries. That really hurt.. I Loved that ESP. I finally replaced it with another blue ESP Horizon (Standard Japan). Not the same but pretty good.

Very nice Steve.

Hell yeah dude

I have no idea about Esp/Ltd, but the guitar looks cool and the Emg's sound official 👏👏👏👍

Great guitar!! I have the E-II version of this one, along with 5 other E-II or LTD guitars. I'd love to have an ESP but it's hard to justify when the LTD and E-II guitars are this good.

I believe the original Horizons had the carved body but standard upper horn.. the H3 is the extended upper horn...

sick ltd dude nice

The deluxe are the highest quality of LTD line.

It really is quite good looking guitar

Told ya those LTD Deluxe models are primo 👍

I'd buy it for the gold hardware alone, Sounds awesome Steve

GotW is a great addition to the channel... wonderful partnership

Finally I’ve been asking for years for you to do esp or ltd !!!!! Amazing guitar gold makes it ugly but if it wasn’t gold it would be perfect gold is way too gawwwdy

I wish I still had the LTD EC401VF I got in 2011 and the distressed Japanese Eclipse I got in 2012. They were so much easier to play than my Gibsons. They sounded better too.

These are pretty fun! How about the new Ernie Ball Rabea model or the new Yamaha Pacifica Pro?

🤟

@stevefromboston the shape reminds me of a hamer phantom!

Buy now pay later thanks Steve 😂 beautiful guitar, great playing. What distortion pedal do you use?

The LTD's are very good .. I hope they let you try out an ESP Horizon MIJ version ... they are the stuff dreams are made of . Seriously .

Ive had a couple of LTD's and still have one, its a very nice guitar but this one is spec'd much higher and Ide be interested in one like this. Whats the weight? The specs only show a sbipping weight.

Who are these “People” that want to hear it clean???😂 Beautiful guitar!!!

I'd like to request that you try out one of those new Ibanez Iceman 420s...

I normally HATE actives.....those sound good tho....

I don't normally dig white and gold guitars, but that is one sexy mofo..

yo steve whats this credit about on there site do you get the guitar or you pay on it for 12 months then get the guitar hows that work dude

HATE when they do that to the inlays!! I need them in the middle ffs!