This is new for '09 and its based off of his ESP from the early years and it was used on albums like "Strap it on", "Meantime", and "Betty."
Meantime is a great album and it was a very influential album and far ahead of it's time. I always loved that one.
This is actually the very first ESP that I ever saw, and I always liked the design even though I'm not an archtop type of player.
There's quite a few new designs from ESP/Ltd this year, including a new Blood Splatter V thats a Dan Jacobs sig guitar.
And a V-401DX that appears to have a quilt top, arrowhead inlays, EMG -81 and 85 and neck-thru construction.
If it's not a basswood body, I'll be giving Terry's Guitars-n-Stuff a call for sure.
For those who dont know he is an ESP/LTD liscensed dealer and he'll hook you up.
I really dug the first signature model that ESP put out. It had a really cool silver finish. This one's cool too, but I never was a fan of distressed instruments. A worn pre-CBS Fender brings a smile to my face, but I like it because it was worn by being played, not by artificially aging at the factory.
Regardless, Page Hamilton is a monster player, and can lay down some Pat Metheny licks alongside his heavier work with Helmet.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
Yeah Page is an amazing player for sure. He studied jazz, and I believe he has a degree of some sort in that area. Although in his earlier recordings you dont really hear much technical playing, just in your face hardcore shit.
I admit I havent really got into Helmet much after the "Betty" album, but I have no doubts that his playing shines on those albums.
I saw the Silver guitar that youre talking about, which is basically kinda the same guitar as this minus the floyd rose.
I agree that I'm not much for relic'd finishes myself, but there are some that are tastefully done such as this guitar and the David Gilmour Strat, and some of the 50's and 60's re-issue Strats.
What I dont like is that you are charged more for a beat up and shitty finish.
Some of the C/S models are worth it because there is actually some time and effort into replicating the marks and wear, such as the new Yngwie Strat, and the Gilmour Strat like mentioned earlier.
I'm like you man, buy a new one and beat the hell out of it. Well not really, but atleast allow the guitar to earn it's battle scars.
Here's the old signature in comparison with the new Magneta colored one:
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The main differences are the Silver one has a Wilkinson trem as opposed ot the Floyd Rose. The headstock shape is different and other very minor changes, like the angled neck pickup.
Not sure if the new sig will replace the Silver one, or if it's a limited run or not??
Either way, I'm glad to see a great player get a guitar who put his time in.
