Another Cali Wanna-be?

[diablo175]

Saw this posted over at the JCF Online and was immediately intrigued by the 27 frets. As I read about it, I started to do the mental checklist against my beloved Cali's.

All in all, it had some pluses and minuses. Wouldn't mind being able to A/B one against one of my Cali's. Ya know, for the sake of science and all...

Pluses- neck thru, OFR vs. Schaller FR, alder body, neck thru

On the Fence- Extra Jumbo frets, scalloping from 12- 27, bound neck & head stock

Minuses- block inlays at 12 and 24, dot markers (vs. Boomers) control layout and options- Blade 3 way: yuck, ESP head stock

Body: Alder
Neck : 3-piece Maple bound reversed headstock
Fretboard: Bound Ebony with large dot inlay
Inlays: Block inlays ESP at 24th fret and LT-27 at 12th fret
Side Markers: Luminous Dot
Construction: Neck-thru-body
Scale: 25.5"
Tuners: Gotoh
Bridge: Original Floyd Rose
Hardware Color: Black
Frets: 27 XJ Scalloped 12 - 27
Pickups: Seymour Duncan TB-14 ( and SHR-1n (n)
Controls: 1 Volume w/ push-push coil split switch, 1 mini toggle switch - switch phase on rear humbucker, 3-way slide switch

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

I'd take it. How much do those things run?

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Did a search. Looks like you can get an ESP LTD MH-327 for anywhere between $400 (used and/or blemished) and $700 (new) depending on what condition you are willing to accept.

Looks like what is available on eBay is slightly different: only one block inlay, and the rest are what I'd call thumb inlays from the fretboard edge. Can't see any scalloping on the LTDs. Also, none of the LTD versions seem to come with the phase switch, so there seem to be some differences between the full ESP version and the LTD version.

Still, the LTD version has neck-thru, Seymour Duncan pups, and some good flamey tops.

Also found some ESP Edwards with a little more bling in the $900 range...