Head to head
ESP EC-1000 Candy Apple Red Satin vs ESP TH-400 Charcoal Metallic
The verdict
The ESP EC-1000 Candy Apple Red Satin comes out ahead overall — 85 to 81 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP EC-1000 Candy Apple Red Satin wins on
- Better sound (77 vs 68)
ESP TH-400 Charcoal Metallic wins on
- Lower price ($899 vs $1,399)
Scorecard
| Metric | EC-1000 Candy Apple Red Satin | TH-400 Charcoal Metallic |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 81 |
| Build | 93 | 93 |
| Playability | 84 | 81 |
| Sound | 77 | 68 |
| Value | 82 | 78 |
Full specifications
| Spec | EC-1000 Candy Apple Red Satin | TH-400 Charcoal Metallic |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Mahogany | 3Pc Roasted Maple |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 3-Voice Humbucker Black Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) / Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 3-Voice Humbucker Black Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) | EMG 85 Black / EMG 81 Black |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,399 | $899 |
| Bridge | TonePros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | LTD Fixed Bridge w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 3-Voice Humbucker Black Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) | EMG 81 Black |
| Case | EC GUITAR FORM FIT CASE | ST-1 FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | N | N |
| Construction | Set-Thru | Bolt-On |
| Controls | Volume/Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch | Volume/Tone/3-way Switch |
| Finish | Candy Apple Red Satin | Charcoal Metallic |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black |
| Neck pickup | Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 3-Voice Humbucker Black Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) | EMG 85 Black |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Molded | Molded |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Strap Button | Standard | Standard |
| Tuners | LTD Locking | LTD Locking |