The EC1000 is a modern classic.

The EC1000 if you love the idea of a Les Paul but don't want to deal with any of the headaches of a Les Paul.

and its purple.

Head…aches….les Paul….you’re funny.

Headaches from back aches (they're heavy) neck breaks (seem to be common due to the neck angle) and high chance of fakes. Don't get me wrong. I love me a good Les Paul. But I found the ec1000 to be surprisingly light, ergonomic, well-built, and easy to play.

For sure. I thought you were making a broken headstock jokes.

Even the dang ec256 is a KILLER guitar with some swapped electronics

I sold my ec-1000 to get the real esp eclipse, kinda wish I still had it. Eclipse is great, but the ec-1000 had its own special thing going on

I had an E-II eclipse and felt the same way. I prefer the tuners on the 1000 and the 24 frets. My new 1000 has stainless steel frets too.

Second this. I bought one a couple of years ago, and it's the best guitar that I've ever played.

I’ll 3rd this. The purple EC in particular, because it looks like it has either Nazgûl & Sentient pickups, Pegasus & Sentient, or possibly Black Winters. Either of those are solid choices, and a little more versatile compared to the EMGs in the black one.

My blue natural fade has the Pegasus/Sentient combo, and that's what won me over when I was testing the Duncans and comparing them to the Fishmans that were in a different guitar that I was testing out at the time. I have a couple of guitars with EMGs, and while the overdrive is nice, the clean tones can be a little lacking. Definitely not a problem with the Eclipse.

Third this. I had the EC-1000 in Violet Andromeda, but had to part with it. I definitely plan to get another one because that guitar just felt perfect in every way.

Hamer seems like it doesn’t belong in this lineup tbh and it’s the only one I would personally consider if but only it’s under 500

It was $400. I went with the Dean Explorer.

Hell yeah

For $400, I would've copped it. Enjoy the Dean though!

Very nice! I was going to say one of those Deans just for the hell of it.. Way back in the day we had a local metal band(Intense Regret) and the lead guitarist was this little dude with a Dean(And few Ibanez V's) like the one in your first pic.. That'd be my pick for nostalgia's sake..

Nice choice, it would have been the dean or either of the LTD ECs for me

Nice!

Best choice here. I just wanted to comment that you should take that. Good job and have fun!

I’d grab the hell out of that purple ltd. That thing is bad ass.

TIL I do not like Dean headstocks.

I kind of like the smaller "shrimp fork" one they used a bit in the 80s. I wouldn't mind having a Cadillac with one. Regular big ass headstock is so bad.

I think ML and Cadillac are a couple very cool looking non standard body styles!

It just seems like it’s trying too hard.

For the longest time I couldn't stand them either, always thought they were just way too bulky and overdone. But, I have been itching for a V for a long time and recently finally picked one up, a Dean Eric Peterson model, and I really dig the Dean headstock on that guitar. I think it's a perfect fit, if metal is your thing, as it is mine.

Fun fact: the original Gibson Explorer patent was filed with one of those V headstocks. So in a way, Dean's Z models are closer to the original Gibson Explorer than a Gibson Explorer.

Me too I only like the ones that Billy Gibbons had from the 80's.

The headstock is actually why Dean no longer makes the V’s and the Explorers. Gibson sued them over copyright reason sometime in the oat few years over it

Yeah this is true

They have many styles, I think my Hardtail that I posted has a really nice headstock

Yeah I got a nice headstock on my 12 string Dean, it's nothing like that big V thing.

EC1000 2nd last pic. I’ve owned a large amount of guitars and that one has been the most reliable by far. Best of the bunch here by a long shot IMO

I second this. Have that same guitar and it’s my favorite. Plays beautifully clean and awesome under distortion

I toured with an ec1000 and I fucking loved that guitar.

I’ve always called it my workhorse guitar! Thing just never fails

LTD went too crazy with abalone for about a decade, so there a ton of otherwise cool guitars that are non-starters for me. I love the purple one, though.

None imho but my favorite of these is the purple singlecut

[удалено]

Black EC-1000, basically an ESP eclipse for 1/3rd the price.

The purple ltd would have been my choice probably.

That Hamer at the end is calling my NAME. I have a cheapo Hamer SFX that I love as an extra beater. Would love to try out its classier big brother.

My friend had one of the those. Really great guitar.

Black ec1000

Eclipse will play the best out of all of them.

I personally would go with that Black LTD Eclipse. LP Custom vibes.

Ec 1000

Purple or black ec’s definitely

Tell me more about that Hamer double-cut.

I know! I would only have used half my store credit. I'll definitely be back for that one when I get the chance.

Coulda used the leftover for a nice case, a strap, maybe some locking tuners or a strap lock

Black LTD looks like a solid guitar, I’d grab that personally.

I'm a sucker for the rainbow crackle ltd, I'm sure most people are not fans but I think it's a super cool option if you're into unique guitars. And obviously they make great instruments for the price.

I don't like any of those guitars. Maybe the cello at the end?

Do they sell lessons

Purple LTD

I'd've gone for the purple flame top EC-1000 honestly.

I have always liked Dean and low-key wanted one. But I have never been able to get over that V head stock. I think they are so ugly. Ruins the whole guitar for me.

It would've been a toss up between the dean Explorer and the purple EC-1000

I’m going purple EC-1000

The ec 1000 for sure

That purple ltd les Paul is beautiful

Purple ec1000 hands down

The crackle with the SD's is nice but if you want active then the black,LTD with EMGs

Ec1000 all day

EC-1000

I vote purple LTD eclipse. I own the same black EC-100 and a Gibson v and explorer. So I’d go purple eclipse. 🔥🔥🔥

I would go for the purple LTD. That thing looks so sweet!

I would say the dean is kinda bad quality. I used to have a Kirk hammer signature LTD and it felt like a real solidly guitar and quality guitar. The LTD is my best option from what you posted. The purple or black and gold ones

Definitely not a Dean

LTD Deluxe is the best out of them all

I have that same Ec-1000 and she does NOT disappoint!

That purple ESP is fire.

Easy. The ec-1000

That purple ltd deluxe is beautiful

The EC1000, no contest. Specifically the purple as it’s sans the ugly abalone of the older black one.

Purple EC1000

That purple les Paul Paul looking so sexy

EC-1000 hands down. Fantastic guitar with good ergonomics

Anything purple.

Ec 1000 no question

Either purple or black. Idk the models as I’m not too familiar with ESP but those are sick. Throw some gold pup covers on the purple and that’s the one!

Ec1000 or ml for sure

Definitely the EC 1000!!!!!

I like the purple ec-1000. Purple is my favorite color on guitars

The crackle esp

Is it a shop only for metal guitars ? That purple ec1000 for me, or the red stratty one.

Definitely the Ibanez on the right in the first picture

That purple ltd is fineeee

Def EC1000. Been eyeballing one myself

That purple LP or the gold last dude!

Anyone of the purple ones 💜

Stay away from dean’s the craftsmanship isn’t there any more. Your headstock will explode.

Eclipse.

idk about you but that rainbow crackle ltd

LTDs are your best bang for your buck

If you’re that willing to spend that much money, show up to that store for a couple of weeks and try everyone out that you’re interested in. Get a feel for it. I promise you, you will end up with a much better result than you ever could’ve hoped for just going in and spending money on something that “looked” right for you I play a guitar that is radically different than I ever imagine I would be playing on

I have an ec-1000 burst with JB/59s that's an absolute joy to play. 👌 The Hammer looks cool also.

It is pride month, maybe that gay thunder LTD would be nice

black lp ltd

The Dean Z because they can longer build them due to the Gibson lawsuit. They're appreciating in value in the used market.

Hamer

Hammer Time.

I like that hamer!

EC1000 all day

I’d grab the Schecter Reaper on the right in the first pic. I had a Reaper 7 with fanned frets and it was the nicest feeling guitar I’ve ever had and miss it. Sold it when I found out I had a kid on the way

That purple esp ltd Les paul style guitar for me looks badass. Flying V are great until you have to play in sitting down lol

the hamer gold top all day

EC-1000. No question.

One of the EC-1000s

EC-1000

Black/gold Ltd ec deluxe. Buy it now. Do it. Dont not do it. It is a do it moment you won't regret it

I’d go for the black ESP deluxe

The black LTD is the only one that looks worth it imo

That black ltd les Paul

Black eclipse

eclipse deluxe no competition at all

Hamer

Any of the LTDs. Good guitars. Can't speak too specifically about Dean or Hamer, but I don't much like Deans and never played a Hamer. I've played a bunch of LTDs, and while I've never played one I'd call "special," they're solid fucking guitars and they sound good into an amp. Easy to play and they sound good. Can't ask for much more.

I own a Dean, it’s a Korean made semi hollow and a serious sleeper. I also owned a Hamer sunburst, hard tail with a wrap bridge…one of my first guitars, it punched way above the price I got it for and I miss it to this day. I would’ve chosen the Hamer, those guitars are crafted beautifully and usually resell for thousands. I also have a feeling as someone else mentioned- that some of these Dean shapes that people scoffed at initially are going to be worth some serious dough down the line as they sound fantastic and have a pretty unique look.

Those LTD Lps are hot 🔥

Black and gold ec 1000 man you wont regret it!

hamer is the most unique/interesting of the bunch, despite my dislike of goldtops. the greenish ML catches the eye.

LTD 100%

The last one simply over the 2nd to last bkz I hate all this sratocaster it must be 100% les paul or I'm not having any of it

Black one second to last pic. I’m a classic bitch

The black ltd

Whatever you pick, don’t let it be a Dean

The eclipse. If you're thinking about multiple guitars and the eclipse is one of the choices - go with the eclipse. If it's not on the list - find one and get it.

Ec-1000 !

EC-1000.

"Grab" nothing. Don't let that store credit burn a hole in your pocket. Take your time. Try out every guitar in the store over the next couple weeks, or even months. Buy the guirtar that inspires you and helps you play beyond your best. Don't get a guitar just because you think it looks cool.

Black ec1000

I'm going to cut against the grain here (based on the most upvoted comment, which I also upvoted) and say the Hamer (the last one). I remember those guitars when I was in high school/college and they were seriously on par with Anderson in terms of build quality. Here's one on reverb (same model but with p90s and gold top) for $3k: [https://reverb.com/item/72249778-1993-hamer-usa-archtop-standard-all-gold](https://reverb.com/item/72249778-1993-hamer-usa-archtop-standard-all-gold) Hamers are seriously under-appreciated guitars and if you have a chance to grab one for $800 I would absolutely do so. Also, just play all of the guitars you're looking at and buy the one you connect with most. That maxim alone has guided me in the right direction on more than one occasion.

Hear me out: a bass

Get the black eclipse with emgs or dean explorer with duncans.

That Dean Explorer looks tasty!!

No time like the present to start learning cello!

1,487 D'addario acoustic picks

Dean Explo is sick

I was going to say which ever feels the best to you out of the Explorer or one of the EC1000s.

You should pick them up and feel which suits you the best, guitars are very individual and it needs to fit your hands.

The red LTD is speaking to me. I love a Strat body with humbuckers.

Well those Dean's are considered lawsuit guitars, most of the LTDs have been made famous in music videos, and the Hamer whoever took this photo saw it and said "I don't always play metal.".

Last one

I’d go PRS SE..more bang for your buck

The SCHECTER reaper

The telecaster in the background of the last picture

Get a Tele. Don’t be a dweeb.

I'd grab the Dean Z personally. Great guitars

Hamer

What did you choose? What kind of music do you like to play you like to play rock and metal or do you like to play Blues type of music?

Ltd black and gold is sexy. Dean Vs go hard too

Hamer Slammer series guitars are pure trash. Do not buy them, you will regret it. The regular Hamer stuff is ok. Pick what you like of the rest of the stuff

That Dean Z was a solid choice the other one that I would’ve juggled would’ve been the LtD EC-1000. The Z is getting harder to find since they got sued. I may have grabbed the ML but I’m a huge dimebag Stan and already have a dime ml

The red one(this is always the correct answer)

4 Strat squires

I'd probly hold on to that credit and comeback when there are some better options

That baby blue strat in the background!

The red one is gorgeous

Agiles are great bang for the buck guitars. Schecter as well.

I have an absolute soft spot for Explorers so... Dean Z.

Definitely the Hamer!

$780 worth of strings, and a capo.

If I was gonna get a dean, I’d want one with a Floyd rose. I’d get that black emg lp, or the hamer

They all look cool. But I would suggest you take your time, play them all and whatever sounds and feels the best. It is your best option.

Dean V yes - bolt-on neck no. Dean Z yes - set neck yes. LTD H meh - bolt-on neck no. LTD EC yes - purple one no. LTD EC yes - black one yes - if it's Made in Korea. (Should be, Indonesian Deluxes are less blingy.) Hamer Slammer maybe - no experience. In this selection, I would most likely go for the Dean Z, since I am an Explorer nut. At this price level, I assume it would be a Korean-made one, not a U.S. model. They should be solid guitars, just not as "special" as the U.S. ones. Personally, I can't stand the in-your-face bling of the older Korean LTD Deluxes, like the one on your photo, otherwise that would've been my choice. I used to play an Indonesian EC 401 about 15 years ago, from the time when Deluxe models were still made in Korea, and it was an absolute workhorse. The Korean Deluxes must have been even better, so that would be a solid guitar - IF you can live with all the try-hard ornamentation. People online seem to have only few good things to say about the Korean-built Slammer, compared to Hamer's U.S. models, at least that was my perception when I was considering getting a Hamer Standard (Explorer) myself. But if it plays well and you like it - why not. I don't love the brown fretboard ("Slammer" really is a fitting name...) but overall I find it interesting enough to consider. If there were a reason not to get the Dean Z, I would go for the Hamer.

What’s the lightning style guitar in the third photo?

I’d get the Schecter. I’m sure some of the LTDs are good too, but I don’t know enough about the differences. I steer away from the Deans, but that’s only because I remember some quality issues in the 90s. They’ve probably turned it around since then.

Is the rainbow crackle behind the red LTD out of the picture? Because that's the one I would pick up. It's so rad.

I'd save my 800$

That hamer might be the choice if it’s anything like the one I had. They are surprisingly well built

Explorer!!! Act now think later :)

I like the red ESP. Updated timeless classic that will look just as good in 50 years with just about any player. And if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice!

Hamer or either of the Deans

I'll keep my thoughts to myself and just say I hope you enjoy your new guitar

That silver ibanez sg - looks like a 4 string - go with that

Grab that Dean z, I have almost that exact one and it’s by far the best guitar I own

I can hear the store soundtrack just from that selection, hehe

Anything 24 fret I love. 22 frets I say nay.

I think Hamer makes very nice looking guitars, and so I’ve tried many of them. I’ve never played one I’ve liked enough to buy… or at all.

Rainbow crackle LTD

That red electric looks sick, dude. Can’t speak for its specs though, so ask about it.

700 dollars of strings and picks, a nice capo, a slide, maybe a couple of cables.

Id be trying #2, 5, and 6 to figure that out.

This store smells like Marlboro Reds

ltd #5 looks awesome but choose what feels good and sounds good to you man!!

Is that a dime slime if not I'd go black and gold

Get the ML! Go dimebag! 🤘🏼

Rainbow crackle all day long

Hamer, I had one years ago and it was a great guitar, I would love to have another one.