Pricing and availability
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Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $1,480
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe is an electric guitar that merges compelling aesthetics with ferocious sound capabilities. Designed for musicians who demand both style and substance, this guitar is built with a solid mahogany body and a sleek 3-piece neck that fits comfortably in hand thanks to its thin "U" profile. The Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers are the real stars here, offering a dynamic range of tones. Whether you're setting the stage ablaze with hard rock riffs or delving into the blues, these pickups ensure every note is delivered with precision and power.
For the guitarist who won't compromise on comfort, the Viper 1000's contoured body provides ease during both standing and seated play. The 22-fret Macassar ebony fingerboard offers a silky-smooth experience, perfect for intricate solos or power chords. With a master volume and tone controls alongside a 3-way pickup selector, the tonal versatility is wide-ranging, empowering you to customize your sound effortlessly.
Aesthetic touches like gold hardware, elegantly bound neck and headstock, and banner inlays elevate its visual appeal to match its sonic prowess. The Tonepros Locking TOM and tailpiece, alongside LTD locking tuners, ensure that your tuning remains steadfast through even the most aggressive performances.
Key Features:
- Solid mahogany body with a contoured Viper style
- 3-piece mahogany neck with thin "U" profile
- 22-fret Macassar ebony fingerboard
- Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers for versatile tone
- Master Volume and Tone controls with 3-way pickup selector
- Push-pull Tone knob for additional voicings
- LTD locking tuners and Tonepros Locking TOM and tailpiece
- Gold hardware, bound neck/headstock, and banner inlays
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Viper-1000 |
| Body Material | Mahogany (wings) |
| Body Finish | Satin |
| Neck Material | 3-piece Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Thin U |
| Neck Joint | Set-through |
| Radius | 13.77" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Banner |
| Number of Frets | 24, Extra-Jumbo, Stainless Steel |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Nut Width | 1.653" |
| Nut Material | Molded |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece |
| Tuners | LTD Locking |
| Neck Pickup | Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x volume, 1 x tone (push/push voice select) |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch |
| Strings | D'Addario XL110, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe pickups?
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The ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe features Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, providing a versatile range of tones from aggressive, high-gain sounds perfect for metal to clear, articulate cleans. The push/push tone control allows for quick voice selection, adding further tonal flexibility.
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Is the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe suitable for beginners?
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While the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe is a high-quality instrument with advanced features, such as stainless steel frets and locking tuners, it may be better suited for intermediate to advanced players who can fully utilize its capabilities.
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What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe?
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The ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe features a Thin U neck profile, providing a comfortable and fast playing experience, ideal for players who enjoy quick fretboard navigation and shredding.
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How does the set-through neck joint affect the playability of the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe?
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The set-through neck joint of the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe offers enhanced sustain and easier access to higher frets, making it a great choice for lead guitarists who require smooth playability across the entire neck.
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Does the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe come with a case or gig bag?
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The ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe does not come with a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately to ensure protection during transport and storage.
Videos
Станислав Гриценко
LTD by ESP Viper-1000 Deluxe
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent neck feel and comfortable for fast playing
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High-quality attention to detail and craftsmanship
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Preloaded EMG pickups provide intense attack and dynamic range
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One-piece mahogany body offers rich, resonant sound
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Versatile across various music styles from metal to clean tones
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Lightweight design makes it easy to handle during performances
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Perfect setup out of the box, no need for immediate adjustments
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Superior clean tones for a guitar with active pickups
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Off-set body design provides a unique aesthetic
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Comparable or superior to some Gibson models in performance
CONS
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Off-set body may cause neck drop without right-hand support
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Clean tones may sound synthetic to some users
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Less common than the EC-1000, might be harder to find
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe.
Setup and maintenance
Mods and upgrades
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Owners often replace stock tuners with Schaller M6, though original tulip peg buttons are preferred for aesthetics.
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User experience
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Some users experience neck dive, but the Evertune bridge's weight may counterbalance this issue in certain models.
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Owners with multiple LTD and ESP guitars consistently praise the Viper 1000 for its fun playability and reliable build, adding it confidently to their collections.
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The ESP Viper's neck profile is described as "beefy and tight," yet remarkably fast, providing a unique feel appealing to players seeking both substance and speed.
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Features and functionality
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Evertune bridge maintains precise tuning stability across varying conditions, making it ideal for consistent performance, though setup complexity can be challenging.
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The Viper 1000's half-pickguard design is a distinguishing feature that appeals to those seeking a unique aesthetic similar to SG-style guitars.
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ESP Viper Standard models come stock with USA Sperzel tuners, enhancing tuning stability and performance.
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Comparisons
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The Viper 1000 is often overlooked compared to the EC models, yet owners find it comparable in playability to high-end guitars like the ESP Eclipse II.
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Value and pricing
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Older Viper Deluxe models are frequently available for much less than EC models, offering great value, especially when purchased second-hand from platforms like Reverb.
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Use cases and applications
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The Viper is favored by owners who previously played in low tunings like G# but now prefer standard or drop tunings such as Drop C for melodic hardcore.
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ESP Viper's sustain is praised for rivaling that of vintage guitars, making it suitable for genres requiring long note holding, like classic rock.
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Build quality
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The ESP Standard series offers superior fretwork durability, with a 13-year lifespan showing no inconsistencies, even after multiple owners.
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The glossy black paint on ESP Standard models is noted for being richer and more consistent than on LTD models, maintaining a high-quality finish over time.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 8 Ratings
43
Surprisingly versatile
Received one of these as a gift and have been playing it for over 5 years. Great for turning up the gain, smashing that distortion pedal and ripping up and down the neck. Also has much better clean tones than I would expect for a guitar with active pickups, but these tones can seem ‘synthetic.’ The frets are very nicely spaced, especially higher up on the neck which is what I would expect from a guitar made to shred. The active pickups have an intense attack (as expected), and can produce screaming highs and thundering lows. If you’re looking for something that will provide a good sound for high-gain metal or hard rock, this may be your guitar. It works for lower gain and clean tones as well, but this is not its forte.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this photo, Skaff is seen playing ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe in black colour. This guitar was used for Rock Am Ring performance.
Bruce Kulick playing a LTD Viper White in a concert in KISS Kruise VII (as seen in video uploaded).
"Captain has been playing ESP LTD Viper guitars for the last eight years or so, but I thought his new white ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe equipped with Seymour Duncan Custom-5 pickups and gold hardware sounded great and looked great under the stage lights."
The LTD Viper is the first guitar Jeff demos in this video. He has Seymour Duncan pickups in his guitars, not the standard EMGs.
Here he is playing “Black Venom” off the record “When The Smoke Clears” using his BIAS Rack amplifier
As can be seen in the video, Mike is using this guitar to play riffs from the Taproot album THE EPISODES.
Glen Thomas uses the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe, as detailed in the "Grensan Setup/Gear" document on Google Docs.
Josh James is confirmed to use the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe, as evidenced by a photo he shared on his Instagram account (@joshjamesxxx) on November 28, 2022. In the accompanying caption, James humorously discusses playing in a Ramones cover band and their upcoming performance at a Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles, without specifically mentioning the guitar. However, the photo clearly shows him with the ESP LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe, tagging another user (@del.on.earth) and indirectly confirming its use during his performances.
Album Usage
The LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe has been featured on the following albums:
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 LTD Viper 1000 Deluxe, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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