ESP article
Common Esp Mistakes to Avoid
From dead active pickup batteries to using too much gain, these are the most common mistakes new ESP and LTD players make — and how to avoid each one.
Players new to ESP and LTD guitars make a predictable set of mistakes — most of them around setup, gain staging, and not understanding how the instruments actually work. These are the ones worth knowing about before they become habits.
Ignoring the Battery
Most mid-range and upper LTD models come with active EMG pickups, which require a 9V battery. A surprising number of players — especially those new to ESP and LTD instruments — do not know this, or forget to check it. When the battery runs low, the guitar produces a thin, compressed, distorted sound that has nothing to do with the amp or cable. When it dies completely, the guitar is silent. Replace the battery every three months of regular use. Always unplug the lead when not playing: the battery drains whenever the guitar is plugged in, whether you are playing or not.
Using Too Much Gain
High-output pickups and modern metal amps can produce enormous amounts of gain. This does not mean you should use all of it. Excessive gain on an ESP or similar high-output instrument produces a muddy, undifferentiated wall of sound — note definition disappears, the pick attack blurs, and the guitar becomes harder to hear in a mix. Start with gain at 5–6 out of 10, adjust the EQ for tone, and only add gain beyond that when a specific sound requires it. Many professional players use less gain than beginners assume.
Wrong String Gauge for the Tuning
ESP and LTD guitars are popular for drop tunings. The most common mistake is using standard .009 or .010 strings in drop C or lower. Light strings in low tunings are floppy, undefined, and produce a buzzy, poorly articulated low register. For drop C, use .010–.052 minimum; for B standard or lower, .011–.054. Changing string gauge requires a setup adjustment — the truss rod and intonation will be off until a technician reconfigures them. This is not optional: a guitar set up for the wrong gauge plays significantly worse.
Skipping the Setup
Entry and mid-range ESP and LTD instruments often come from the factory with a setup that is adequate but not optimal. High action, slightly off intonation, or uneven string heights are common. A guitar that has not been set up properly is harder to play in tune, feels stiffer than it needs to, and can discourage beginners who assume the difficulty is a reflection of their playing rather than the instrument. A basic setup costs £30–£50 and fixes this entirely. Do it when you buy the guitar, not later.
Neglecting Intonation After String Changes
Changing to a different string gauge — or even to a fresh set of the same gauge — can shift the intonation. Check intonation whenever you change strings: compare the fretted note at the 12th fret to the 12th fret harmonic using a tuner. If they don't match, adjust the saddle. This is a five-minute job and ensures the guitar plays in tune up the neck. Players who skip this step find their chords sound increasingly wrong the higher up the neck they go.
Not Using the Neck Pickup
Many players new to metal instruments leave the pickup selector on bridge position for everything. The neck pickup on an ESP or LTD produces a warm, full tone that is useful for leads, cleaner rhythm parts, and any playing that doesn't require maximum aggression. The middle position (both pickups) gives a blended sound that suits rhythm playing in many rock and metal contexts. Exploring all three positions significantly expands the tonal range available from the same guitar.
Buying the Wrong Instrument for the Style
The ESP range is designed for heavy music. If the primary requirement is clean jazz, acoustic-style fingerpicking, or classic rock tones, there are better-suited instruments available. Active pickups and high-output passive designs are optimised for gain; they can sound harsh or sterile through a clean amplifier. Players who primarily play clean or mild-overdrive styles may find the instrument works against them rather than with them. Know what the instrument is designed for before buying.
Where to Go Next
For new players, the ESP beginner's guide covers the setup and learning process. For buying advice, the complete ESP buyer's guide covers every decision. The ESP features and types guide explains how the instruments work in more detail.
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