The LTD ST-203FR by ESP Guitars.

At first this guitar was supposed to be only available for certain European and Asian markets but has made its way to the good ole USA. I actually got the chance to play one at my local Guitar Center and was greatly impressed by the ST-203FR. There are two versions available. There are really only two main differences in them. The most obvious is that the less expensive ST-203 has a vintage tremolo and three single coil pick ups. The deluxe ST-203FR has a HSS pick up configuration and a locking Floyd Rose Special Tremolo.

The ST-203FR is shaped pretty much identical to a Fender Stratocaster. I am sure there are some differences like the control knobs to prevent lawsuits, but it looks really similar to me. It has a bolt on maple neck and an alder body. The 22 xtra jumbo fret fingerboard is maple with black dot inlays. The hardware includes ESP tuners and a Floyd Rose special tremolo system in chrome. The ESP ST-203FR is only available in a relic black finish with a white pick guard. I would like to see more colors available, but right now they are not being offered. I also would like a non-relic finish to choose from. Not everyone likes their guitars to look beat up. The electronics are pretty standard and feature the HSS pick up configuration with an ESP humbucker in the bridge and two single coils in the neck and middle positions. These are made in Indonesia. I have found the quality fairly good from guitars made in Indonesia and superior to those made in China. I don't think they are as good as the ones that ESP has made in Japan or Korea though. This is actually the best guitar that I have played that was not made in the USA, Japan, or Korea. There are not many places right now that you can find this guitar. The Guitar Center that I went to only had one and has not gotten anymore since then. Sam Ash has them for $399 and there are a couple sellers on eBay who have them for $380. Fender makes a Floyd Rose Stratocaster that is available in various colors. It will often cost you about $699 or more and is made in Mexico. This guitar cannot touch the quality of the ESP ST-203FR. You are basically getting a much better guitar and saving at least $300 on it. For that you could buy a new Marshall amplifier with it, some boss effect pedals, or maybe a used back up guitar.

I really liked the feel of the neck on the ST-203FR and was blown away by the quality for a guitar under $400. The action is set up pretty good right from the factory as you often find with ESP products. When I was playing it I heard the nice blazing sound you like to hear when you play a high quality guitar and the harmonic response was great. The pickups sounded great. I must admit I do not really thought I would have to drop a Seymour Duncan in it to get the tone I like, but that is a personal preference for me. There really is nothing wrong with these pickups. The Floyd Rose worked as well as any on various guitars I have played and is set up to float so you can bend a note flat or sharp. There is really not anything negative I can say about the ST-203FR except for the lack of color choices and them deciding to not make it in Korea. In all fairness it would probably cost at least $100 more for the Korean version though.

If someone is a fan of the Fender Stratocaster they really need to play this guitar. I understand the whole buy American idea since Fender is an American company and ESP is a Japanese company, but you save several hundred dollars or more for a comparable guitar. I have played various Fenders and both ESP ST-203 guitars and find that the LTD plays as good as the Fender and is so much cheaper than it wins hands down. Another big thing I don't like about Fender is that on the back of the necks on their Floyd Rose guitars they often have two holes were they secure the locking piece. There are quite a few guitar companies that do this including Ibanez and Kramer. Personally I do not like those holes there. I have heard of guitars cracking there. This is one reason I really prefer ESP to other brands

I must say that I was greatly impressed with the LTD ST-203FR and plan to buy one. I highly recommend it and think it is one of the better guitars put out this year. I am sure it might win an award or two from guitar player magazine readers. I will include a list at the bottom of some retailers were you can find the guitar online. Most of the companies will price match each other and many local guitar shops like Sam Ash or Guitar Center will also match these prices in store. I hate to say this since I am a huge George Lynch fan, but the LTD ST-203FR beats the LTD GL-256 any day and you will probably save $50 or more if you shop around and the quality of the ST-203FR model is superior to that of the George Lynch model.

Sources.

www.espguitars.com

www.samash.com

www.guitarcenter.com

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ESPST203FR