The gnarly creation boasts a sandblasted swamp ash body and a pair of Fishman humbuckers, and “defies any limitations in speed and sound” a guitar might face
Back in January, ESP stole the show with a mammoth drop of new models, which included 43 all-new electric guitars of various shapes and sizes.
Safe to say we were spoilt for riches, but one of the key models that stood out from the whole collection was the impressively appointed ESP Guitars LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT Fire Blast – a gnarly creation that provides premium tones, rad aesthetics, robust playability and a playing experience that is “as intense as it looks.”
A quick look at the spec sheet makes our – and Guitar World Tech Editor Paul Riario’s – affection for the axe clear. The Fire Blast finish is an attractive contemporary take on the traditional sunburst style, with the guitar matching its sandblasted swamp ash body with a roasted maple neck and macassar ebony fretboard.
Further premium appointments can be found in the hardware and electronic departments. 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets adorn the ‘board – which is scalloped from frets 17-22 – and are joined by a set of Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers.
(Image credit: ESP Guitars)
As evidenced from Paul’s demonstration, the humbuckers are wired to an incredibly versatile control layout, complete with a three-way switch, sole volume control and push-pull tone knob that activates secondary voicings for each pickup.
That’s not all, though. The spec sheet also has room for mother of pearl dot inlays, LTD locking tuners and a Hipshot hardtail bridge, the latter of which sits next to a brushed black pickguard.
As Paul explains, all these specs add up to a “wickedly cool-looking” instrument that “defies any limitations in speed and sound.”
The tonal variety of the guitar can be seen in the video above, with Paul dialing in ample amounts of gain to demonstrate the ESP Guitars LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT Fire Blast’s riffing, soloing and shredding capabilities.
“I’ve never encountered an ESP LTD model that wasn’t well made or set up perfectly right out of the box,” he notes. “The SN-1000HT Fire Blast follows in those same footsteps.”
(Image credit: ESP Guitars)
He adds: “Lets just say this guitar is as intense as it looks, and is incredibly player friendly with all the essential shredder requirements in feel and sound, along with its eye-catching dark and stormy appearance.
“If anything, the SN-1000HT Fire Blast from LTD is a guitar that offers tone and playability to the extreme. I’m knocked out by this guitar.”
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