LTD EX-50
- Thread starter rx7
- Start date
i have an LTD EX400bd and i have to tell you, that guitar neckdives like mad, you better get rough leather straps. With it, the neckdive is none existent. The lack of forearm support on explorer (unless you wear the guitar very high 
) shaped guitars may make it feel weird, but im used to that.
the neck is pretty comfortable, nice and slim. Pickups, i dunno, but i guess its fine tho. I think the LTD EC50 that subversion did a review on, those are the same pickups on the EX50. Has an agathis body, which i heard has similar tonal qualities( to some degree) to mahogany.
IMO, the 50 series are good value for money
) shaped guitars may make it feel weird, but im used to that. the neck is pretty comfortable, nice and slim. Pickups, i dunno, but i guess its fine tho. I think the LTD EC50 that subversion did a review on, those are the same pickups on the EX50. Has an agathis body, which i heard has similar tonal qualities( to some degree) to mahogany.
IMO, the 50 series are good value for money
subversion
Moderator
i consider the 50series by LTD to be very good for the money, especially when they sound good & play well. i have the Viper-50 on review here, hope it's a convincing representative of the others in its range, the EX-50 included: http://www.soft.com.sg/new/modules.php?name=MReviews&op=show&rid=24
if you get this guitar from Davis, they have a bag (sold seperately) for that explorer-type outline. 8)
if you get this guitar from Davis, they have a bag (sold seperately) for that explorer-type outline. 8)
neuro182
New member
Nonono
I used LTD Ex-50 before & I can tell you, its heavy & hard to handle. So far, the only guitarist who can handle it properly, thrash it well & sings while playing it = James Hetfield!!
The body is made in Indonesia, made of agathis body (which is not really good). I would say its quite a good starter guitar.
The pickups they used on the LTD is dual ESP LH-100 hum. Sounds quite okie tho. However, I wasn't satisfied so I went for a EMG-81s makeover & it sounded much better, but not as good as when they are fitted on a Mahogany ESP/LTD.
Imo, I would rather you get the LTD MH-50. Its much easier to handle & its got 24 frets & floyd rose bridge.
Alternatively, you can buy a new EPI LP Special if you are not keen on floyd rose bridge.
I used LTD Ex-50 before & I can tell you, its heavy & hard to handle. So far, the only guitarist who can handle it properly, thrash it well & sings while playing it = James Hetfield!!
The body is made in Indonesia, made of agathis body (which is not really good). I would say its quite a good starter guitar.
The pickups they used on the LTD is dual ESP LH-100 hum. Sounds quite okie tho. However, I wasn't satisfied so I went for a EMG-81s makeover & it sounded much better, but not as good as when they are fitted on a Mahogany ESP/LTD.
Imo, I would rather you get the LTD MH-50. Its much easier to handle & its got 24 frets & floyd rose bridge.
Alternatively, you can buy a new EPI LP Special if you are not keen on floyd rose bridge.
subversion
Moderator
agathis is a fine tone wood. it's a mahogany lineage & has lots of warm midrange/ sustain & sounds sweet if you have the right pickups in there. i used to own an Ibanez GAX-70 which is agathis & it's a very acceptable guitar. still, the EX-50 is not as heavy as a typical Les Paul. we must avoid judging a guitar with exclusive reference to its country of origin.
neuro182
New member
Hmm
Correct me if I'm not wrong, I don't tink agathis is quite good as a wood material is it?
I tried EMGs on it & it sounded really muddy & watery & does not produce that much clarity for solos, I find it too bassy. I tweak my EQ to low bass & high treble, while maintaining enough mids, but its still too muddy for me.
Please advise.
Correct me if I'm not wrong, I don't tink agathis is quite good as a wood material is it?
I tried EMGs on it & it sounded really muddy & watery & does not produce that much clarity for solos, I find it too bassy. I tweak my EQ to low bass & high treble, while maintaining enough mids, but its still too muddy for me.
Please advise.
PinkSpId3r
New member
i thought active pickup sounds the same no matter you use it on any type of wood?
neuro182
New member
Shape or what?
What is your budget? and price range? and type of sound you wan? If you are just go for the body shape, then I tink LTD EX-50 is value for money as one of the cheapest of its series.
rx7 said:Ok, thanks guys but im still looking forward for more comments on the guitar before i buy it
What is your budget? and price range? and type of sound you wan? If you are just go for the body shape, then I tink LTD EX-50 is value for money as one of the cheapest of its series.
subversion
Moderator
the only wood to be wary of tone-wise, would be plywood.
people would cringe at the sheer mention of resoncast/ poplar/ agathis among others but these are really fine wood. no reason to be afraid of them. they may sound lacking but it's really the fault of the pickups (especially in entry-level units).
people would cringe at the sheer mention of resoncast/ poplar/ agathis among others but these are really fine wood. no reason to be afraid of them. they may sound lacking but it's really the fault of the pickups (especially in entry-level units).
subversion
Moderator
the cause for concern only arises out of bad production. in the 80s, production was really shabby & this added to the fact that less familiar wood types were used for the bodies.
Steve Morse has recently renewed his affiliation with Music Man & he still insists on the same body wood he started out with- poplar. why didn't he opt for an 'elite' wood type like ash/ mahogany, surely he knows better, yes?
Y2D Steve Morse model
Steve Morse has recently renewed his affiliation with Music Man & he still insists on the same body wood he started out with- poplar. why didn't he opt for an 'elite' wood type like ash/ mahogany, surely he knows better, yes?
Y2D Steve Morse model
neuro182
New member
Haha
Is that a transparent pickup? I never heard of Poplar before.
Perhaps its bec of general mindset that these wood materials are inferior to the more familiar ones e.g. Mahogany, Swamp Ash & Alder & the likes.
I personally tried the axe & I didn't realli like the sound. Maybe if I can get to try the more high end ones, I'd change my mind
Is that a transparent pickup? I never heard of Poplar before.
Perhaps its bec of general mindset that these wood materials are inferior to the more familiar ones e.g. Mahogany, Swamp Ash & Alder & the likes.
I personally tried the axe & I didn't realli like the sound. Maybe if I can get to try the more high end ones, I'd change my mind
wangdexian
New member
Poplar is a fine wood, about the same bright tone as alder, I would say.
Which is why they were used on old mex fenders.
Think they stopped using them because of issues with the looks, non-matching grain etc.
Which is why they were used on old mex fenders.
Think they stopped using them because of issues with the looks, non-matching grain etc.
subversion
Moderator
in addition to that, poplar doesn't go too well with transluscent finishes. for that kinda finish, an additional maple laminate top has to be added which translates to increased cost for the manufacturer. the reason fender dropped poplar off its inventory.