Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $226

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The ESP LTD EC-50 is a solid body electric guitar that strikes an excellent balance between affordability and performance, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned guitarists. This instrument is designed with a comfortable, single-cutaway mahogany body, providing smooth access to the higher frets for those intricate solos and riffs. Its sleek design is complemented by a rosewood fingerboard and a thin U-shaped maple neck, ensuring that your fingers glide effortlessly during play.

Equipped with ESP Designed LH-150 humbucking pickups, the EC-50 delivers a powerful and clear sound that can handle a wide variety of musical genres. Whether you're into rock, blues, or metal, this guitar offers the versatility and reliability you're looking for. The straightforward control layout features volume, tone, and a 3-way toggle switch, allowing you to dial in your perfect tone with ease.

The EC-50 also features a TOM bridge and tailpiece, adding to its robust tuning stability and sustain. For those looking to step up their guitar game without breaking the bank, this guitar offers an excellent platform for growth and exploration.

Key Features:

  • Single-cutaway mahogany body for easy access to higher frets
  • Rosewood fingerboard with 22 extra-jumbo frets
  • Thin U-shaped maple neck for comfortable playability
  • ESP Designed LH-150 humbucking pickups for versatile sound
  • Volume, tone control, and 3-way toggle switch
  • TOM bridge and tailpiece for enhanced tuning stability

Product specs

Brand ESP LTD
Model EC-50
Finish 2-Tone Burst, Black, Black Cherry, Black Satin, Olympic White, Silver Sunburst, Titanium
Year 2003 - 2016
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Brown, Red, Silver, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic, Satin
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What kind of music is the ESP LTD EC-50 best suited for?

The ESP LTD EC-50 is well-suited for rock and metal genres due to its dual humbucker pickup configuration, which offers powerful and aggressive tones ideal for heavier music styles.

Does the ESP LTD EC-50 have a comfortable neck profile for beginners?

Yes, the ESP LTD EC-50 features a bolt-on maple neck with a smooth rosewood fretboard, making it comfortable for beginners to play and navigate across its 24 frets.

What is the scale length of the ESP LTD EC-50, and how does it affect playability?

The ESP LTD EC-50 has a 24.75" scale length, which is slightly shorter than standard, offering easier playability and bending, making it ideal for fast playing and soloing.

How does the ESP LTD EC-50 handle different playing techniques?

With its solid body and dual humbuckers, the ESP LTD EC-50 supports a wide range of playing techniques, from heavy riffs to melodic solos, providing versatility for various musical styles.

Is the ESP LTD EC-50 available in multiple finishes?

Yes, the ESP LTD EC-50 comes in several finishes, including 2-Tone Burst, Black, Black Cherry, Black Satin, Olympic White, Silver Sunburst, and Titanium, allowing players to choose a style that suits their preference.

World Music Supply

World Music Supply

ESP Ltd EC50 Electric Guitar Demo

Video thumbnail for ESP Ltd EC50 Electric Guitar Demo by World Music Supply

ESP Ltd EC50 Electric Guitar Demo

World Music Supply

World Music Supply

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Standard Series EC-50 Guitar Demo - The Perfect Guitar by theperfectguitar

ESP LTD Standard Series EC-50 Guitar Demo - The Perfect Guitar

theperfectguitar

theperfectguitar

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD EC-50 WH  - Demo Guitar by Artyom Reborn

ESP LTD EC-50 WH - Demo Guitar

Artyom Reborn

Artyom Reborn

Video thumbnail for REVIEW / Guitarra Eléctrica EC50 LTD by Audiomusica

REVIEW / Guitarra Eléctrica EC50 LTD

Audiomusica

Audiomusica

Video thumbnail for ESP ltd EC-50 sound test by merqury5

ESP ltd EC-50 sound test

merqury5

merqury5

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD EC-50.wmv by onlyfactorydirect

ESP LTD EC-50.wmv

onlyfactorydirect

onlyfactorydirect

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD EC-50 Silver Sunburst LEC50SSB by 6-String

ESP LTD EC-50 Silver Sunburst LEC50SSB

6-String

6-String

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD EC-50.

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners suggest using inlay stickers for easy 12th fret customization without damaging the fretboard.

    Source
  • The EC-50's entry-level pickups are often seen as unimpressive; upgrading to higher-quality pickups can significantly improve sound quality.

    Source

Build quality

  • The olive sparkle finish is unique but may not appeal to everyone.

    Source
  • The thick poly finish on the EC-50 can be prone to cracking and chipping, especially if the guitar sustains any impact.

    Source

User experience

  • The guitar excels with high-gain sustained distortion, though clean tones can be unusual.

    Source
  • Guitar Center's "great condition" rating for used guitars may vary, with some guitars arriving with notable cosmetic and structural flaws.

    Source
  • Experienced users describe the EC-50 as a suitable "workhorse" guitar for long-time players, suggesting its durability and reliability in various playing contexts.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The inclusion of 24 frets offers a different playing experience, enhancing playability for some users.

    Source
  • The EC-50 features bevel cuts and a thinner neck profile, potentially aiding in lead playability for beginners transitioning to more advanced techniques.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The discontinued EC-50 is often overpriced; a fair price is under $120, considering its original retail price was around $200.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The EC-50 lacks the quality and features found in higher-end LTD models like the EC-256, which offers better playability and resale value.

    Source
  • The EC-50 does not come with active EMG pickups, which would be costlier than the guitar itself; instead, its pickups are similar in quality to other entry-level models.

    Source

Critic Reviews

MichałKaszczyszyn.com » ESP Ltd. EC-50 review

michalkaszczyszyn.com

The ESP LTD EC-50 offers a solid metal tone and exceptional sustain, making it a standout for its price. However, it struggles with tuning stability due to a poorly cut nut and loose bridge saddles. While these issues can be fixed, they add to the initial setup costs. The guitar's acoustic sound is impressively loud and bright, and its neck is comfortable, though upper fret access is somewhat limited. Despite being well-balanced on a strap, it tends to slip off your lap. Overall, the EC-50 is a decent budget choice with room for improvement.

LTD Eclipse EC-50 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The ESP LTD EC-50 impresses as a versatile entry-level rocker, offering tonal variety and comfortable playability at an affordable price. Its basswood body and slim U-shaped maple neck cater to fast-playing enthusiasts, while the ESP LH-150 pickups deliver a satisfying tonal range, from aggressive bridge tones to warm, clean neck sounds. However, the fingerboard's dryness might require some attention. Overall, the EC-50 stands out as a solid, budget-friendly choice with ergonomic features and a distinct feel, making it much more than just a Les Paul imitator.

positive

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
G

Fun to Play, Nice to Look at, Good Base to Modify from

Fun to play, nice sound, I would add some new humbuckers though. Stays in tune for the most part in whatever weather and continues to be one of my favorite guitars.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Richard Zven Kruspe uses ESP LTD EC-50

Richard Zven Kruspe

Guitarist

Rammstein

...
Verified via Rammstein World

Used in the Mann Gregen Mann video

See how Paul Landers uses ESP LTD EC-50

Paul Landers

Guitarist

Rammstein

...
Verified via Rammstein World

Usata durante le riprese del video Mann gegen Mann

See how Justin Sane uses ESP LTD EC-50

Justin Sane

Guitarist

Anti?Flag

...
Verified via YouTube

In this live performance Sane uses a customized LTD EC-50 Black Satin.

The EC-50 is the only model of the EC series, along with the EC-10, with dot inlays. Unlike Sane's guitar the EC-10 does not have its toggle switch above the neck ending. (The toggle switch of Sane's guitar has been relocated, nonetheless the mounting hole is still visible at the original switch location)

The pre-installed ESP pickups have been replaced with active EMG pickups.

The guitar can be seen throughout the whole video. Especially at 0:50, 1:42 and 5:37.

See how Ethan Ives uses ESP LTD EC-50

Ethan Ives

Guitarist

Car Seat Headrest

...
Verified via Photo

Ethan Ives can occasionally be seen playing live with an ESP/LTD EC-50 in a Silverburst finish. The guitar appears to have sustained some wear and tear, as the pickup switch is missing, and at one point tape was covering the bridge pickup. The back of this guitar can be seen in a still image of this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NemdR62zuwo&ab_channel=leqlleql

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use ESP LTD EC-50, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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