LARROW1000CARSF vs LMTIOBSM — Compare
ESP LTD Arrow-1000 Guitar Candy Apple Red Satin vs ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson Guitar Obsidian Metallic
The Arrow-1000 uses neck-thru construction with EMG active pickups and a Floyd Rose tremolo for maximum sustain and tuning stability, while the MT-I uses set-thru construction with Fishman Fluence passive pickups and a hardtail bridge for tonal clarity and multiple voicing options. The Arrow-1000 suits players prioritizing speed and sustained bends in traditional metal contexts; the MT-I is designed for modern djent and high-gain players who value tonal flexibility and articulation.
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ESP LTD Arrow-1000 Guitar Candy Apple Red Satin
ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson Guitar Obsidian Metallic
Specs side by side
| ESP LTD Arrow-1000 Guitar Candy Apple Red Satin | ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson Guitar Obsidian Metallic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,599.00 | $1,599.00 |
| Brand | ESP LTD | ESP LTD |
| Series | LTD Arrow | — |
| Body | Explorer | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid | Solid |
| Scale | 25.5" Scale | 25.5" Scale |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 Frets | 24 Frets |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Neck | Maple | Maple |
| Bridge | Tremolo | Fixed |
| Year | 2024 | 2005 |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose ESP LTD Arrow-1000 Guitar Candy Apple Red Satin
- ✓ Neck-thru construction provides maximum sustain for long, singing notes
- ✓ Floyd Rose 1000SE enables precise tremolo effects and maintains tuning through aggressive playing
- ✓ EMG active electronics deliver tight, punchy highs ideal for metal riffing
- ✓ Extra-thin U-contour neck optimized for rapid fretwork and speed
Why choose ESP LTD MT-I Mick Thomson Guitar Obsidian Metallic
- ✓ Three selectable Fishman Fluence voicings plus hidden Voice 3 offer exceptional tonal versatility
- ✓ Set-thru construction balances sustain with body resonance for clarity in high-gain contexts
- ✓ All-brass Hipshot Hi-Mass hardtail bridge provides rock-solid tuning stability without tremolo complexity
- ✓ Signature design by Mick Thomson specifically engineered for djent and modern metal techniques
Frequently asked questions
What's the key construction difference and why does it matter?
The Arrow-1000 uses neck-thru (maple neck glued through mahogany body) for maximum sustain and rigidity, while the MT-I uses set-thru (three-piece neck glued into the body) which balances sustain with tonal coherence and body resonance. Neck-thru sustains longer; set-thru offers more tonal character.
Which has more pickup flexibility?
The MT-I offers significantly more options with three switchable Fishman Fluence voices plus a hidden fourth accessed via push/pull volume control. The Arrow-1000 has standard EMG 85/81 passive switching without additional voicing options.
How do the bridges affect playability?
The Arrow-1000's Floyd Rose 1000SE enables tremolo effects and pitch bending but requires more maintenance and tuning management. The MT-I's hardtail Hipshot bridge is simpler, faster to tune, and keeps tuning perfectly stable during aggressive playing without tremolo distractions.
Are these good for drop tunings and djent?
Both handle drop tunings excellently with their 25.5" scales and sturdy construction. The MT-I edges ahead for djent specifically because it's designed by Mick Thomson for that style and its Fishman pickups excel at clarity in extended-range, high-gain contexts.