ESP LTD EC-1000ETQM Dark Brown Sunburst (Open Box)

The ESP LTD EC-1000ETQM Dark Brown Sunburst is a professional-grade single-cut electric guitar combining premium tonewoods, Seymour Duncan pickups and the exceptional tuning stability of an EverTune bridge.

A quilted maple top gives the Dark Brown Sunburst finish impressive depth and figuring, while the maple-capped mahogany body delivers a powerful combination of warmth, clarity and sustain. Set-thru construction and a Thin U neck profile provide a smooth playing experience with excellent access across all 24 stainless-steel frets.

The passive Seymour Duncan Jazz and JB humbuckers cover everything from clear clean tones and expressive blues to hard rock, metal and high-gain lead sounds. Both pickups can also be coil-split using the push-pull tone control, adding brighter and more focused textures.

This example is offered in open-box condition, providing an excellent opportunity to own a feature-packed LTD Deluxe guitar at a reduced price.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	ESP LTD
Model	EC-1000ETQM
Full Model	EC-1000 EverTune
Finish	Dark Brown Sunburst
Instrument Type	Solid-body electric guitar
Condition	Open Box
Body Style	EC single cutaway
Construction	Set-thru
Body	Mahogany with maple cap
Top	Quilted maple
Scale Length	24.75 inches
Pickups	Seymour Duncan Jazz and JB humbuckers
Bridge	EverTune F Model
Main Appeal	Premium EC construction with exceptional tuning stability
Best For	Rock, metal, alternative, studio recording and professional performance
Skill Level	Intermediate and advanced

Condition Overview

Open Box Condition

This instrument has had its original packaging opened and has been handled for inspection, display or product photography.

It remains a current retail instrument rather than a conventionally used or pre-owned guitar. The instrument has been inspected by the Fair Deal Music team and is supplied ready to play.

Please study the product photographs for the exact cosmetic condition of this individual guitar.

What’s Included?

• ESP LTD EC-1000ETQM Dark Brown Sunburst electric guitar

• No case or gig bag is included

Condition Notes

Presented in open-box condition with its packaging previously opened.

The photographs show the exact instrument available and form part of its condition description.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Our team has inspected the guitar’s Seymour Duncan pickups, coil-split function, controls, selector switch, output, EverTune bridge, Grover tuners, neck, frets and general playability.

The electronics have been tested in full humbucker and coil-split modes. The EverTune bridge has also been checked for correct operation and stable performance.

Service and Setup Work Performed

The guitar has received a general inspection, tuning check and playability assessment before being offered for sale.

The EverTune system is mechanically different from a conventional fixed bridge. Players changing string gauge, tuning or preferred bend sensitivity may need to adjust its setup to suit their requirements.

Why Choose the ESP LTD EC-1000ETQM?

EverTune Tuning Stability

The EverTune bridge uses an individual mechanical tension system for each string. Once correctly set, it continually compensates for small changes in string tension to help the guitar remain consistently in tune.

This is particularly valuable for:

• Professional live performance

• Long recording sessions

• Double-tracked rhythm guitar

• Temperature changes between venues

• Firm picking and aggressive rhythm styles

• Players who require dependable intonation

The system is entirely mechanical and does not require batteries, software or external power.

Premium Quilted Maple Top

The EC-1000ETQM features a genuine quilted maple top over a maple-capped mahogany body.

Its natural figuring gives the Dark Brown Sunburst finish impressive visual depth, with the darker outer burst highlighting the lighter central grain pattern.

Because quilted maple is a naturally figured material, each instrument has its own individual appearance.

Maple-Capped Mahogany Body

The mahogany body provides warmth, sustain and a substantial midrange response.

Adding a maple cap brings extra definition and attack, helping notes remain clear through distortion and preventing the guitar from becoming overly dark or soft.

This combination works particularly well for players who move between warm clean sounds, crunchy rhythm tones and modern high-gain amplification.

Set-Thru Construction

Set-thru construction extends the neck joint further into the body than a conventional set-neck design.

This creates a smooth transition into the upper register and helps provide comfortable access to all 24 frets. It also contributes to the guitar’s connected feel and strong sustain.

Seymour Duncan JB Bridge Pickup

The Seymour Duncan JB is a high-output passive humbucker known for its pronounced upper midrange, strong attack and singing lead response.

It works especially well for:

• Hard rock rhythm playing

• Classic and modern metal

• High-gain lead sounds

• Power chords

• Palm-muted riffs

• Harmonics and sustained bends

Its output can drive an amplifier effectively while retaining the dynamic response associated with passive pickups.

Seymour Duncan Jazz Neck Pickup

The Seymour Duncan Jazz neck humbucker provides a clear and articulate response with controlled low frequencies.

Clean chords remain defined, while overdriven lead sounds have a smooth character without becoming overly muddy. It is also an excellent choice for melodic passages, blues-influenced playing and detailed arpeggios.

Push-Pull Coil-Splitting

Pulling the master tone control splits the humbuckers, producing brighter and leaner sounds with a more single-coil-like response.

This expands the guitar’s tonal range without adding unnecessary switches. The split settings are particularly useful for:

• Clean rhythm parts

• Brighter chord voicings

• Lower-gain overdrive

• Layered studio recordings

• Parts that need additional clarity

24 Stainless-Steel Frets

The Macassar ebony fingerboard is fitted with 24 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets.

Stainless steel is highly resistant to wear and provides an exceptionally smooth surface for bends and vibrato. The extra-jumbo dimensions also allow a lighter fretting touch and support fast, controlled lead playing.

The 24-fret layout provides a full two-octave range on every string.

Macassar Ebony Fingerboard

Macassar ebony offers a smooth playing surface with a firm, responsive feel.

Its natural density supports clear note attack and definition, complementing the warmth of the mahogany body and neck.

Thin U Neck Profile

ESP’s Thin U profile offers a streamlined feel while retaining enough substance for confident rhythm playing.

It is well suited to:

• Fast position changes

• Technical lead work

• Extended chords

• Heavy rhythm playing

• Wide bends and vibrato

• Long performances and recording sessions

Grover Tuning Machines

Grover tuners provide smooth and precise adjustment when setting the guitar’s initial pitch or changing tuning.

Once the strings are tuned and the EverTune bridge is correctly configured, the bridge manages the continuous tension compensation.

Why Choose an EverTune-Equipped Guitar?

Conventional guitar strings can move slightly out of tune because of temperature, humidity, playing pressure, string stretching and aggressive picking.

An EverTune bridge is designed to counteract these small tension changes. This can significantly reduce the need to retune between takes, songs or performances.

For studio recording, the system can help layered rhythm tracks remain consistent. For live performers, it reduces the risk of tuning drift during a set.

The bridge can also be configured according to the player’s preferred response. It can maintain maximum pitch stability or be set to allow conventional string bends while retaining its tuning benefits.

Who Is It For?

Recording Guitarists

The EC-1000ETQM is particularly valuable for players recording doubled or layered guitar parts. Stable tuning and accurate intonation help rhythm tracks sit together more tightly.

Live Performers

Professional and regular gigging musicians can benefit from the EverTune system’s ability to compensate for tension changes during a performance.

Rock and Metal Players

The JB and Jazz pickup combination offers the clarity, output and definition required for hard rock, metal and other high-gain styles.

Versatile Guitarists

Passive Seymour Duncan humbuckers, coil-splitting and independent volume controls give the EC-1000ETQM enough range for clean, blues, classic rock and alternative sounds.

Players Upgrading to a Professional Instrument

The set-thru construction, stainless-steel frets, premium pickups, Grover tuners and EverTune bridge make this a substantial upgrade from an entry-level or intermediate guitar.

Sound and Playing Character

The EC-1000ETQM balances the depth of mahogany with the brighter attack of its maple cap and quilted maple top.

Bridge Pickup

The Seymour Duncan JB provides:

• Powerful rock rhythm tones

• Tight palm-muted riffs

• Strong upper-midrange presence

• Responsive harmonics

• Sustained lead sounds

• Clear high-gain definition

Neck Pickup

The Seymour Duncan Jazz provides:

• Clear clean chords

• Smooth overdriven leads

• Articulate arpeggios

• Defined lower notes

• Warm but controlled rhythm tones

Combined Pickup Position

Using both pickups creates a balanced sound with the warmth of the neck position and the attack of the bridge pickup.

This setting is useful for open chords, clean rhythm work and medium-gain sounds that require both body and clarity.

Coil-Split Sounds

The push-pull tone control introduces brighter textures that work well for clean passages, edge-of-breakup tones and layered rhythm parts.

Dark Brown Sunburst Finish

The Dark Brown Sunburst finish complements the dramatic figuring of the quilted maple top.

Its darker edges frame the natural pattern through the centre of the body, creating a sophisticated appearance that sits between a traditional sunburst and a modern high-performance guitar finish.

Multi-ply binding around the body, neck and headstock provides additional definition, while the black hardware maintains a contemporary LTD aesthetic.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	ESP LTD
Series	LTD Deluxe EC-1000 Series
Model	EC-1000ETQM / EC-1000 EverTune
Orientation	Right-handed
Finish	Dark Brown Sunburst
Body Shape	EC single cutaway
Construction	Set-thru
Scale Length	24.75 inches / approximately 629mm
Body Material	Mahogany
Body Cap	Maple
Top Material	Quilted maple
Neck Material	Three-piece mahogany
Neck Profile	Thin U
Fingerboard Material	Macassar ebony
Fingerboard Radius	350mm
Number of Frets	24
Fret Type	Extra-jumbo stainless steel
Nut Width	42mm
Nut Type	Moulded
Neck Pickup	Seymour Duncan Jazz humbucker
Bridge Pickup	Seymour Duncan JB humbucker
Pickup Type	Passive
Coil-Split	Push-pull tone control
Controls	Two volume controls and one push-pull tone control
Pickup Selector	Three-way toggle switch
Bridge	EverTune F Model
Tuning Machines	Grover
Hardware Colour	Black
Binding	Multi-ply body, neck and headstock binding
Factory Strings	D’Addario XL120
Factory String Gauges	.009, .011, .016, .024, .032 and .042

Power Requirements

The Seymour Duncan Jazz and JB pickups are passive and do not require a battery.

The EverTune bridge is a fully mechanical system and also requires no battery, charging or external power supply.

ESP LTD EC-1000ETQM Compared with Other EC Models

Compared with a Standard ESP LTD EC-1000

A conventional EC-1000 commonly uses a TonePros-style fixed bridge or another traditional bridge system.

The EC-1000ETQM’s defining feature is its EverTune bridge, which actively compensates for changes in string tension through a mechanical system.

The EverTune version is particularly suitable for players who prioritise consistent tuning during recording and live performance.

Compared with the ESP LTD EC-1000 with Active Pickups

Active-pickup EC-1000 models often provide a highly compressed, immediate output designed for modern high-gain sounds.

The passive Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz pickups in the EC-1000ETQM offer greater dynamic sensitivity and respond more noticeably to picking strength and guitar-volume adjustments.

Compared with the ESP LTD EC-256

The EC-256 offers the essential LTD single-cut experience at a more accessible level.

The EC-1000ETQM adds set-thru construction, premium Seymour Duncan pickups, an EverTune bridge, Grover tuners, stainless-steel frets and higher-level finishing details.

Compared with a Traditional Single-Cut Guitar

The EC-1000ETQM retains the warmth, sustain and familiar 24.75-inch scale associated with traditional single-cut instruments.

Its 24-fret neck, Thin U profile, sculpted heel, stainless-steel frets and EverTune bridge give it a more modern and performance-focused character.

Pairs Perfectly With

The ESP LTD EC-1000ETQM works particularly well with:

• High-gain valve amplifiers

• Modern modelling amplifiers and profilers

• Overdrive and boost pedals

• Noise gates

• Studio audio interfaces

• Digital recording systems

• Compressor pedals

• Drop-tuning and pitch-shifting effects

• Professional stage and studio rigs

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the EverTune bridge work?

Each string sits within its own mechanical tension module. The system compensates for small changes in tension, helping the string return to its selected pitch.

Can strings still be bent with an EverTune bridge?

Yes. The bridge can be adjusted so conventional string bends remain possible while retaining tuning stability.

Can the guitar be used in alternative tunings?

Yes. Each string can be set to the required pitch. Changing to a substantially different tuning or string gauge requires the EverTune bridge to be adjusted accordingly.

Is EverTune useful for studio recording?

Yes. Its tuning consistency is particularly useful for double-tracked rhythm parts, layered arrangements and long recording sessions.

Do the pickups require a battery?

No. Both Seymour Duncan humbuckers are passive.

What does the push-pull tone control do?

Pulling the tone knob splits the humbuckers, creating brighter and lower-output sounds with a more single-coil-like response.

Are stainless-steel frets beneficial?

Stainless-steel frets are exceptionally durable and provide a smooth surface for bends and vibrato. They resist normal playing wear more effectively than traditional nickel-silver frets.

Is the EC-1000ETQM suitable for clean sounds?

Yes. The Seymour Duncan Jazz neck pickup provides clear and articulate clean tones, while the coil-split function adds brighter alternatives.

Is this guitar only intended for metal?

No. Although it is exceptionally well suited to rock and metal, its passive pickups and coil-split system also cover blues, alternative, clean, fusion and classic-rock sounds.

Can the EverTune bridge be maintained like a conventional bridge?

Basic string changes and adjustments can be carried out by the player after becoming familiar with the system. More extensive setup changes can be handled by a technician with EverTune experience.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The ESP LTD EC-1000ETQM Dark Brown Sunburst is a professional-level electric guitar that successfully combines premium appearance, versatile passive tones and outstanding tuning stability.

The Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz pairing covers everything from articulate cleans to powerful high-gain sounds, while the coil-split adds useful brighter textures. Set-thru construction, a Macassar ebony fingerboard and 24 stainless-steel frets give it the smooth, dependable playing feel expected from the LTD Deluxe Series.

Its EverTune bridge is the standout feature, making this an exceptional option for demanding studio work, touring and players who want their guitar to remain consistently in tune. In open-box condition, it represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a highly specified performance instrument at a reduced price.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Flexible finance options available, subject to status

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think. We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment.

Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available. It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.