ESP/LTD H200FM – Playability, Looks & Sound

My first guitar was an used acoustic, black in colour, more of a beginners guitar that had a faulty fretboard. If had to rate the playability, I would rate it 1 out of 10. But my first exposure to playing a real guitar was when my friend and bandmate Gourab arranged that 500 buck guitar for me. So I am grateful forever.

During the next few years, I jumped from Givson GS1000 electric to Gibson Les Paul. I played several recordings and shows with borrowed electric guitars from my fellow musician friends that included Ibanez, Fender and so on. But one thing I have learned so far as a self-taught musician – to play an electric guitar you definitely must consider sound and playability. The second part was not a big deal for me for a very long time. But after playing the Les Paul, I started getting the feeling of luxury on the fingerboard.

I have been trying to restart my music career for a very long time now. Back in 2012 when I released Shiddat, I was hopeful but life had something else in store for me. I had to build a company. Today after 12 years, I think to some extent that purpose has been fulfilled and now its time to take a fresh look at life from a distance.

November is my birthday month, and a pressure month for my wife and mother. They are mostly confused about choosing a right gift for me, because its tough to meet my ‘expectations’ 😉 . Just kidding! So this time, I was looking at various electric guitars online and finally settled by mind on a Ibanez or a Schecter. But by the time I reached Mustaque Khan’s new music shop, he put a ESP/LTD H200FM in my hand and asked me to test it out. My God, the sound was versatile – exactly what I was looking for in my next guitar. The best part, it has a split pickup knob that allows you to switch from humbuckers to single mode and that is a game changer.

I got the fingerboard conditioned with guitar lemon oil and put D’Addario EXL110 strings. The ESP H 200FM sounds amazing and if you have a good amplifier, you wouldn’t need anything else. Now coming to the playability, it is smooth and you can run through the 24 frets with ease. The tuning can be a little tricky at first but eventually its butter smooth.

I got the ‘See Thru Purple’ colour – it looks rich and glamourous. This was the best birthday gift ever! Thanks to my lovely wife and my mother.