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LTD: ST-203
List: $395
In the current state of dizziness & trendiness, many of us deem the distressed look of guitars as appealing. What used to be desecration is now fashionable; it’s chic to sport dings, flakes, rust, sores & other 101 ailments on one’s guitar. It gives the player a sense of boldness strapping on that battle-scarred instrument while propelling, well… music. ESP’s down to earth LTD offerings offer some distress- finished models, one of which is this Chinese, Stratocaster-like, ST-203.
Construction/ Fit/ Finish
The distressed, final look of instruments is probably the only manifestation where manufacturers get away with shoddy craftsmanship, legitimately. LTD’s ST-203 made sure the relic flamboyance are visible from headstock to body end. Surprisingly, the fitting & construction of this guitar are satisfactory beyond much QC discredit. You’d thought the manufacturer took the opportunity to sell you half-baked instruments but this was reserved in looks above anything else. The ST-203 per se, is a well put together instrument with perfectly functional parts & electronics. The fine scrutiny now lies with the distressed finished. From a distance, the guitar looks well worn in the right places but a closer look would reveal much artificial patching which is, for a want of a better adjective, unnatural. Some of the stains were measured, calculated & placed accordingly. For a product in this price bracket, we really shouldn’t expect a meticulously tempered treatment a la Fender’s Custom Shop relic range but something convincing & presentable which was exactly what we get with the ST-203. Ironically, the instrument’s inner finish was tidy & controlled, contrary to the relic overview as evident in the guitar’s pickups & rear cavity. All in all, the ST-203 fared well in this category save for a sharp fret at the 12th treble-side position.
Rating: 85%
Playability/ Tone
So a guitar of this outline & pickup offerings would inevitably invite some Stratocaster comparisons but as an initial inference, the ST-203 is not a Strat in feel when it comes to the neck. LTD offers the player its U-profile neck inviting some acceleration more so than the greater blues moments but with a thicker string gauge, this instrument would address your twang needs. This is attributable to the sweet LS-120 single coils on board which fused well with the instrument’s alder body & rosewood fretboard. The overall tone we hear are not excessively trebly, imagine the warmth & zing of the ’59 humbucker but in a single coil interpretation. Those of us looking for that elusive ‘60s-type Strat voicing would be served a convincing experience as the pickups here are not high output & maintain great warmth even in overdrive mode, nothing too treble-piercing even from the bridge single coil. In true vintage fashion, the manufacturer had equipped the guitar with the typical action saddles featuring much screw protrusions. Some of us aggressive players would need to mind the picking hand scratches as we play but it’s fair to say that adaptability would address the situation.
Tone test equipment:
• Amps- Marshall JVM 410/ Blackheart Killer Ant
• Pedals: CMatmods Butah
Rating: 85%
Conclusion
The ST-203 is a winner not because it’s a sensible relic offering on a budget but this guitar has some of the most pleasant playability & tone on board. If we are looking for an above average, first guitar with strict single coils application, the ST-203 would be a pleasure. Do not approach this one with Fender expectations; it has some but there is no strict compliance to begin with.
Overall rating: 85%
Product availability: Davis GMC
Likes:
• Above average pickups performance
• Playability
• Price
• Overall QC
Dislikes:
• Fret cutting could have been better
• Protruding action adjustment screws
Worthy competitors:
• Smash S1
• Squier Affinity Strat
• Cort G200
