LTD Viper-7 Black Metal Baritone Black Satin 2018
LTD Viper-7 Baritone, very black indeed, made in Indonesia 2018. LTD's 'Black Metal' series has a pretty particular goal in mind: turtleneck jazzers and indie surf janglelords need not apply. This is black, with black hardware and a nearly black ebony board... even the pickup is called a 'Blackened Black Winter'. It will match all your T-shirts perfectly. As is usually the case with stuff under the ESP umbrella, this is nicely made: it's well balanced, the neck feels great in the hands, the frets and finish work are very tidy, and it has a certain integrity to it. The pickup delivers the goods too: it's fat and thick, but with enough breath through the mids and highs to remain defined and musical. The 27" scale opens up a bunch of how-low-can-you-go tuning options, so if you're after something to dredge up the scum from the belly of the Earth, this is good option. Just quietly: I like it.
Model: Viper-7 Black Metal Baritone
Made: Indonesia, 2018
Serial: IWI18061028
Finish: black, satin poly
Body: mahogany
Neck: three-piece mahogany, macassar ebony fretboard, set neck join; 15.75" radius, thin U profile, 48mm width at nut, 27" scale, 24 x-jumbo frets;
Hardware: LTD locking tuners, TonePros locking tune-o-matic bridge and hard tail.
Weight: 3.810kg
Mods: ClipLocks installed
Pickups: Seymour Duncan "Blackened Black Winter"
Accessories: DiMarzio ClipLock strap in black; used basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor scuffs and rub wear on the back only. The back has some scuffs on the top horn and back edge and a small dent in the middle of the body. The sides have dimples on the top horn, rub wear in the elbow area, dimples near the jack and rub wear on the bottom horn. The front has some light scuffs around the bridge, knob and up from the pickup, rub wear in the elbow area and play wear on the horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/62 Ernie Ball strings.
Fret Life: 9/10, minor wear only