ESP LTD AS 1FRFM BLKAQSB

ESP LTD AS 1FRFM BLKAQSB review

The ESP LTD AS 1FRFM BLKAQSB is Alex Skolnick's signature single-cut guitar, combining a traditional body outline with a locking tremolo and a set of Seymour Duncan humbuckers. Listed at 1475, it includes a hard case. The model has been available since August 2019. Its stated finish is Black Aqua Burst, with a flamed maple top over a mahogany body.

Reported owner impressions focus on the finish, setup, neck feel, and amplified sound. One buyer described receiving a clean-looking instrument with a low string height and a well-adjusted Floyd Rose. The locking nut needed tightening, and the strings needed tuning after delivery. That is a useful reminder to check the locking hardware and tuning before playing, even when the initial setup seems good.

Construction and playing feel

The body is mahogany, topped with flamed maple. The maple neck uses a neck-through construction, and the pau ferro fingerboard has a 305 mm radius and 22 extra-jumbo frets. ESP specifies a U-shaped neck profile, a 43 mm locking nut, and a 629 mm scale length, also listed as 24.75 inches. Grover tuners and chrome-finished hardware complete the setup.

One owner found the neck comfortable and quick to play despite its substantial 1950s-style feel. The glossy finish reportedly did not interfere with playing. The guitar also had noticeable resonance when played unplugged, according to that review. These are personal impressions rather than measurements, but they provide helpful context for players considering the neck shape and finish.

Weight may be a concern. A buyer specifically found the instrument very heavy compared with their other guitars and said that this made them reluctant to take it to gigs. The listed specifications do not give a weight, so there is no figure to compare across instruments. If weight matters to your playing comfort or live setup, try this model in person before buying.

Pickups, controls, and tremolo

The pickup layout is HH, with a Seymour Duncan JB at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan '59 at the neck. Controls comprise separate volume knobs, a tone control with push-pull operation, and a three-way toggle switch. A player reported that the pickups offered a broad range of usable sounds, with clear note definition that held together at high gain. Their comments particularly praised the guitar for hard rock and metal, while also finding it versatile across styles.

The Floyd Rose 1000 is a double-locking tremolo paired with the locking nut. One owner reported strong tuning stability in use. Another encountered a return-to-zero problem after moving the tremolo arm, traced to the springs, and said replacing them resolved the issue. That experience does not establish a general fault, but it makes the spring setup worth checking if the bridge does not return accurately after use.

What to check before buying

• Locking hardware: Confirm the locking nut is secure and the guitar is in tune after setup.
• Tremolo return: Test the bridge movement and verify that it returns to pitch. Check the springs if it does not.
• Strap buttons: One owner found the strap buttons small and planned to replace them with strap locks.
• Weight and fit: Try the guitar standing and seated if possible, especially if you plan to play long sets.

Verdict

The ESP LTD AS 1FRFM BLKAQSB brings a distinctive blue burst finish, neck-through construction, a locking tremolo, and a flexible humbucker setup to Alex Skolnick's single-cut design. The available owner reports praise its finish, fretwork, initial setup, comfortable neck, and ability to handle high-gain sounds without losing definition. The main caveats are its notably heavy feel for at least one player, small strap buttons, and the need to verify tremolo spring performance. A hard case is included; a gig bag is not. For players seeking a single-cut guitar with modern locking hardware and a strong hard-rock and metal orientation, its combination of features is compelling, provided the weight and tremolo setup suit your needs.