80 Volt: ESP EC 10 Review

    After a few years of playing electric guitar, I decided that it was time for a new one. There wasn’t anything wrong with the guitar I was using, I just felt that it was time for an upgrade.

   When I originally decided to buy a new guitar I focused on the ESP EC 50. Even though the price was decent($199 to $250), I knew I couldn’t get it right away. So, I decided to delay my purchase for a while.

   After a few years of delaying my purchase, I wanted a new guitar even more. So, I decided to save for the EC 50. But a few weeks into my decision I came across another guitar. This new guitar was the ESP EC 10.

   I was looking through my catalog from American Musical Supply when I noticed the EC 10. At first, I didn’t take the EC 10 seriously. Due to the price ($139), I felt that the quality of the guitar wouldn’t be as good as the EC 50 or other ESP guitars. But, after giving it a second look, I decided to purchase it.

   I made my decision after researching online. I found that the only big differences between the EC50 and EC 10 were the pickups. There were a few other minor differences but, I decided to take a chance. I felt that I didn’t have anything to lose due to the low cost of the EC 10.

The purchase

   As I mentioned earlier, I decided to make my purchase from American Musical Supply. I selected them because I have bought from them in the past. This was one of the first places I bought musical supplies from (online), and I knew I could trust them.

   At the time of my purchase, there was a choice of two finishes. The choices were two-tone burst and black. I chose the black version of the EC10.

   After selecting the finish and completing the ordering process, my new guitar was now on the way. Due to my location, I didn’t have to pay tax and the shipping was free.

Inside the box

   Once the guitar arrived, I immediately opened the box. Inside the box with the guitar was simply an allen wrench(for truss rod adjustments), a tag indicating the brand of strings, and an instruction manual. I was satisfied so far and couldn’t wait to test this guitar out.

Appearance

After checking everything out (manual etc), I begin to unwrap the guitar. After fully unwrapping it I begin to get a good look at the EC 10. I was very pleased with what I saw. It had a very shiny finish. Everything from the volume and tone controls to the tuners looked sturdy and had a nice appearance. The EC10 also has one of the best fretboards I have seen so far. It has a slight shine with an ESP logo on the twelfth fret. This is a low-cost guitar but, there isn’t anything cheap about it. It has the appearance of a guitar worth much more.

Features

   Even though there were minor differences(as I mentioned earlier) the only big difference between the EC 50 and EC 10 were the pickups. The EC 10 comes with LH100 pickups while the EC50 comes with LH150 pickups.

   I am very pleased with the look of this guitar. The black nickel hardware(A Tom bridge and tailpiece, volume and tone controls, and ESP tuners) enhances the look of the guitar even more. The three-way pickup selector is placed near the volume and tone controls, and it works well. The volume and tone controls also work well. At first, I thought that there would be a problem with sound quality. I was concerned because my old guitar had separate tone (bass and treble) controls, and I knew how important they were. But, the sound quality of the EC 10 proved to be a whole lot better than my old guitar.

   One of the reasons I decided on the ESP brand was because of their shorter (24.75) scale length. I read that it has benefits, such as making it easier to bend heavier gauge strings. After testing the guitar I definitely would agree with the information I once read. The 10 gauge (S.I.T.) strings that came with the guitar feel like nine-gauge strings when string bending etc.

   When I bought the guitar I knew I had 24 frets but, I didn’t know the fret type. This is a fairly new guitar and many of the web sites I’ve visited didn’t indicate fret type. But, I recently visited ESP’s website and found that the EC 10 is equipped with extra-jumbo frets.

   With its basswood body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard, the EC 10 feels well made. There is nothing that feels fragile about this guitar.

Action and Playability

   One of the main reasons I wanted a new guitar is because I wanted something with better action. I believe I have found that with the EC10.

   Out of the box, the action was perfect. I only had to do some minor tweaking to eliminate the string buzz (pass the twelfth fret) on the low e and a strings. Now I have it adjusted just the way I want it. The guitar action is still low and I have eliminated the string buzz. I feel satisfied with the guitar’s action.

   I really like the way the guitar plays. It is a whole lot better than my old guitar. My old guitar had very high action. My fingers would always slide under the strings when I performed string bends. With the EC10 I don’t have that problem. I can play faster and everything feels more streamlined.

   This guitar has a much better feel to it than my old guitar. My old guitar had a much thicker neck. The EC 10 has what is called a thin u neck. I feel that it gives me a better grip and more control. I also feel that chords are easier to play.

   With the benefit of the extra-jumbo frets I don’t have to press as hard when playing chords. I feel that it has made barre chords easier to play as well.

   The ESP EC10 (despite its low cost) is a well-made guitar. It has good playability and feel. The ESP EC 10 is definitely better than my old guitar.

Overall

   I’m glad I decided to take a chance on the EC 10. I have been playing this new guitar since November 2010, and it’s still holding up well. This guitar seems well made and I haven’t had any problems with it.

   I have no regrets about my purchase of this guitar. If I had to do it all over again I would still buy the EC 10. It’s definitely an upgrade from my previous guitar. I like the playability, sound quality, and overall appearance of this guitar.

   I highly recommend the ESP EC10. This is a good guitar for beginners, experienced players looking for a second guitar, and for those with a limited budget. With its low cost, appealing appearance, and low action, the ESP EC 10 is a guitar that shouldn’t be passed up.