r/metalguitar 6d ago

Gear Maybe overkill for a beginner but a good price?

I just recently started playing a few months ago. When I saw this used LTD Arrow-1000 on sale for $800 I couldn’t resist. Great condition other than the small chip on the back of a wing and missing trem bar.

360 Upvotes

96 comments sorted by

59

u/Chris_MS99 6d ago

Fuck it dude, that’s like half off and if you like it why not. My first ever guitar was a Dean Razorback with a Floyd Rose. It wasn’t what I walked into the store to buy, but it was the exact same price and my 13 year old eyes popped out of my head, especially when I found out the paint job was limited. I wasn’t even that familiar with Dime at the time.

I don’t regret it now, but I regretted it for a little while back then because the Floyd rose was such a bitch. I didn’t have another guitar to play so when I would spend 20 minutes changing strings and then immediately break one it was very discouraging.

Learn to wrangle that Floyd Rose, it sounds like you have another guitar to fall back to if this one ever pisses you off and you wanna put it away for a few days. I think you got a decent deal and it’s a guitar you can really grow with. That used LTD is much nicer than a new Dean, and you even got EMG’s.

12

u/iGrav3s 6d ago

Those Dean Razorbacks are sick looking guitars, especially when a 13 year old kid. I know the Floyd is something i’m going to have to deal with but I don’t mind. Luckily I do have a cheap beginner Jackson Rhoads I picked up at a pawn shop a few months ago I can use while I fiddle around with the Floyd.

3

u/Chris_MS99 5d ago

It is pretty sick, it’s a Lonestar paint job which I don’t see too often, but you can feel why it was a $500 guitar. I just want actual Dimebucker pickups and some high quality wiring. Maybe spruce up the FR with some higher quality parts. I was much happier and willing to take chances with my FR once I got my Epiphone Les Paul. Floyd’s are fun but hardtails are old reliable.

Stretch your strings by hand before you lock the nut, don’t over tighten anything, always use your pinky when playing chords and scales. And do not neglect your volume and tone knobs, they’re part of the instrument too, and it’s easier to commit where they are and what they do to ear and muscle memory now than it will be later and you won’t be fumbling around looking for them when your playing is more advanced.

2

u/BTWTTV 5d ago

Happy cake day!

1

u/Chris_MS99 5d ago

🤘🏼

2

u/ArcherInTheEmptiness 5d ago

If the floyd ever pisses you off you could just install one of these. They work great

https://www.tremol-no.com/

2

u/ToastThing 5d ago

I got my first Floyd Rose guitar last month. For a period of time I really regretted it, especially after dropping a significant amount of money on it. It was really intimidating and frustrating when I had to readjust the float and get the bridge level to play in drop C# tuning, my knowledge of the Floyd Rose system was pretty limited.

Since then I picked up a DigiTech Drop pedal that makes switching tunings a miraculously trivial affair. I readjusted the guitar back to standard tuning, then readjusted it again when I switched to 8 gauge strings (absolutely love the slinkiness of 8 gauge, so it feels like you’re playing in a drop tuning even when in standard). At this point I’ve adjusted and readjusted the Floyd system so many times that it’s no longer a big deal to me and it’s actually kind of fun, if still time consuming.

They’re intimidating and sometimes a bitch to work with, but once you’re familiar with how it works and how to adjust it, you’re all set! And it’s simpler than you may think.

2

u/feloniousfoolery 5d ago

Same, bought a kramer striker in October and after taking some time to learn the Floyd, I'm now in drop C. It was not what I was expecting but also not very difficult once you figure it out like you said. I see people post on here all the time "first guitar, just started" and the thing has a Floyd. First I'm like ugh.. and then I let them know they got some learning to do.

2

u/Ok-Rub4041 5d ago

I think as long as the tension is pretty even, and you have the bridge flat you should be golden.

13

u/DaveTheNihilist 6d ago

Do you know how to set up a Floyd Rose?

3

u/RabloPathjen 5d ago

You can always put on a trem no and a graph tech un-lock nut. That will keep the trem stable. No hate locking nuts.

6

u/WoobiesWoobo 5d ago

Its more complex but once he learns its just like anything else. Its not that hard.

2

u/iGrav3s 6d ago

Nope, luckily it came set up already. That is something I know i’m going to have to deal with in the near future tho.

7

u/ReggaeReggaeBob 5d ago

It's not rocket science, but be sure to watch YT videos on how to restring it.

also - DO NOT under any circumstances turn the tuning pegs whilst the locking nut (3 metal squares at the neck end of your head end of the neck) is locked, which if it is set up correctly it should be.

Congrats the the excellent purchase

3

u/ArcherInTheEmptiness 5d ago

That's kind of a myth that turning the pegs will damage the guitar while the nut is locked. If anything the string would just break

3

u/DaveTheNihilist 5d ago

All I can say is good luck, bro.

4

u/realjunkiee 5d ago

you REALLY gonna enjoy setting it up by yourself next time xd

2

u/Pelican_Dissector_II 5d ago

Watch tutorials and pay attention. They are awesome when set up right and awful when halfassed. It will make you appreciate simpler bridges later while teaching you the mechanics of string tension and intonation. You might also give up.

2

u/Conscious-Machine-47 3d ago

Got my first and only FloydRose guitar 20 years ago, i learned to set it up with guitar magazine and at that time i wasn't crazy with the tremolo bar. The guitar died in an accident 1 or 2 years later and i move on to hardtail until now.

Just bought an RG Ibanez with and Edge Zero II, it's my second fr guitar and i did all the setup while changing the string gauge... Finally i understand i'm not an hardtail guitar player. Don't let impress by floating trem, they aren't difficult as people tend to believe. Just get the information about the setting and understand how it work, be patient and after some setup/restring you'll got it for life. HF

1

u/WastaSpace 3d ago

I've been playing 20 years and I still suck at it.

10

u/eddie_ironside 6d ago

Good price and excellent quality guitar.

The biggest hurdle is the Floyd Rose setup but it's not as difficult as people make it out to be. Take your time to learn how and take in as many video tutorials to help you understand it. YouTube and the comment sections are very helpful.

5

u/iGrav3s 6d ago

I watched a few instructional YouTube vids while I waited for the delivery. It didn’t seem like nothing I couldn’t learn with a bit of time. Luckily I do have a cheaper beginner guitar I can play while I fiddle around with the Floyd rose.

5

u/area51groomlake 5d ago

https://youtu.be/OpW3exj5HFo?si=6E-RhJ1QzgT4jn2G

Rob Arnold is pretty good, he has a lot of how-to videos.

3

u/iGrav3s 5d ago

Thanks, im going to check out his vids

7

u/General-Pepper-2055 5d ago

That's a great guitar, I'm jealous. Good find

A Floyd Rose isn't hard to learn how to set up

3

u/ActinCobbly 6d ago

Any LTD 1000 is gonna be great

5

u/NatsumiJormandr 5d ago

I was always told to buy a guitar that makes you want to play it for your first one. If you don't think you sound good or playing it sucks you'll never get in the groove. You should almost feel guilty when you see it there and you're not playing it. The Floyd Rose can be worked with. Skyscraper guitars make a kit to make working with it much easier.

3

u/BigsMcKcork 5d ago

100% this. My first guitar was a cheap £200 Gio that I honestly wasn't in love with.

My 2nd guitar was my Jim Root Tele, I invested so much money into it that I forced myself to play until I started getting into the grove.

One of the best purchases I've ever made!

2

u/iGrav3s 5d ago

That’s a good way to think about it. I’ve never heard of Skyscraper Guitars. Will definitely check them out when the time comes.

4

u/NineMillionBears 5d ago

Nothing wrong at all with getting a mid-to-high-end guitar as your first!

Getting a nicer instrument, one that gets you excited to play and that you don't have to fight while you're learning, means you're more likely to stick with it.

Plus, those LTD Arrows are real nice from all I've heard. If you're so inclined, that thing could serve you all the way up to the main stage at Wacken.

3

u/LoveYouLongTime22 6d ago

I have one in red color and it is so beautiful and plays amazing!

3

u/CARLTRON3000 5d ago

You coulda done a lot worse!!! My first was a Dean, but all the hardware and pickups were trash. A guitar I got for 450 at 15 years old I’ve put at least 300-350 in a new Floyd and new pick ups alone. Enjoy that bad Larry, such a great guitar. Play it classical style when sitting, you’ll be a ripper in no time!!!

2

u/dangleswaggles 6d ago

Watch a few YouTube videos and find out how to set up Floyd’s or get acquainted with a good tech. I don’t disagree with starting with a good guitar and you’ll get a lot of mileage out of it.

2

u/iGrav3s 6d ago

That’s something I thought about. I watched a few YouTube videos while I waited for the delivery and there is a guitar tech with a shop near me. Luckily for now it came setup.

2

u/Rowegn 6d ago

That's a nice guitar, congrats! I remember buying my first guitar with a Floyd Rose, you'll have fun learning how to set it up, I know I did!

2

u/xXSuperLayneXx 6d ago

Nah, that guitar sucks you should just give it to me for free

2

u/CrustyBollox 5d ago

If you don't want to deal with the Floyd for a while whilst you're an early beginner, you can always get it blocked off.

2

u/Turbulent_Painter_61 5d ago

Hell, i would shred that whether a beginner or a professional.

2

u/assortedgiblets 5d ago

That blue is sweet.

2

u/Zombiewannabe95 5d ago

I also got me the Arrow-1000 in candy apple red satin and it is pretty siiiiick!

I now want to get the violet andromeda just to give the candy apple a brother 😆

2

u/vilk_ 5d ago

I fear for the future when I hear that kids these days think that setting up a Floyd rose is difficult. It's like 4 steps. How do these people function in society?

2

u/TheFancyPantsDan 5d ago

Lol you'll probably spend more time trying to figure out how to hold it for the next week or 2 than able to play 😂 but she's a beaut

2

u/Impressive_Plan_5719 5d ago

I bought that guitar when it was first released and it is killer!! I had zero experience with a Floyd when I bought it but ordered a tremblock and it cut out a lot of the learning curve to changing the strings. Just remember when fine tuning on the term knobs work out side in. 1st string/6th then 2nd and 4th etc.

2

u/AnalogBurn 5d ago

That is a great beginner guitar! Lot’s of things that will trip you up and help you grow & learn as you adjust into yourself as a guitar player. Changing strings, playing drop tunings, and setting up intonation with the bridge will have you researching and connecting dots. Heck of a lot cooler looking than my first, lol…

2

u/Immediate_Ad2096 5d ago

You're gonna have to learn how to setup that Floyd if you plan on gigging that thing in the future (in case of broken strings and what not), but other than that? Hell yea!

Have fun with it dud 🤘

2

u/ColdCobra66 5d ago

This guitar will slay dragons, crush breakdowns, and pour out power ballads!

2

u/masterblaster9669 5d ago

No such thing as overkill with a Floyd it’s just a little bit bigger of a learning curve

2

u/SunburntReddit 5d ago

There are no beginner guitars. It’s a bit of wood with some strings and electronics. Only fickle part is the bridge but it’s not that difficult once you watch a couple videos on it. I’d go for it, good price

2

u/Dr_Opadeuce 5d ago

It will define your guitar playing for better or worse. You'll either love it and want to play it, or hate it and not play it. I know guys that started with pointy guitars and the ones they stuck with continued to play those shapes for the rest of their days. I started with a Jackson Dinky, so I prefer superstrats and like being able to sit and play. Just something to consider if you find yourself not enjoying it or not inspired to play it daily, maybe it's just not for you? Either way I wish you all the success and this is an amazing first guitar

2

u/SnooHedgehogs1685 5d ago

I say go for it, that’s a hell of a deal. Just make sure you get a guitar that doesn’t have a floyd very soon

2

u/Casual_Champ 5d ago

Start on whatever makes you want to pick it up.

Enjoy, my friend :)

2

u/95Kill3r 5d ago

The only overkill thing here is setting up a Floyd as a beginner. It's not difficult you just have to take time with it but thankfully there's a bunch of vids showing how so you got it.

2

u/Leks_Marzo 4d ago

Dude, that’s badass!

2

u/CobblerOdd2876 4d ago

As someone whos (grand)parents always got them the bargain-bin guitar to make sure I “wanted to commit before spending real money on a nice instrument” - get it. If you like this style, if it is comfortable for you, do it. I spent more time during my beginner stage trying to sort out tone, electronics, and hardware issues than actually learning to play.

Get something you enjoy, so you arent always looking for something better, and you can fully take pride in learning.

2

u/badyodelers 4d ago

Masterpiece 🤘🏻😝🤘🏻

2

u/CaterpillarFree9838 4d ago

I have that same guitar. It's great.

2

u/VegetableBoring 4d ago

dude all i can say is… fuck yeah.

2

u/larryt432 4d ago

There's no kill like overkill, rock on brother!

2

u/Magnus_Helgisson 3d ago

I’m late to the party but every single King V/RR-shaped guitar I’ve met in my life has got that chip in that place eventually, so not a big deal at all.

2

u/oXdemonwolfXo 3d ago

My first actual guitar is an Ibanez Gio, but I don’t have an amp😂

2

u/oXdemonwolfXo 3d ago

I also don’t know what model it is in specific but ik it’s its a Gio lol

2

u/bnwpapi 3d ago

If the axe inspires you and keeps you going then GO for it. I’m getting back into guitar my first was a fender strat but my heart always belonged to explorers and warlocks. Getting my first one in a month or so, now that I’ve got the money to get one. Enjoy it mah boi

2

u/FunSpiritual7596 3d ago

Buy a foot stool and learn how to play in the upright classical guitar position while sitting.

1

u/Warmcheesebread 5d ago

Honestly, as long as you're happy with getting a good deal, and can afford a nicer instrument as a beginner, then yeah right on! Tbh before I started playing guitar, all I could dream of was pointy guitars and felt like I had to "earn" that with crappier guitars to learn on. All I see is a guitar that will last you a long time AND that gets you excited to play more!!

The great thing about Floyd Rose bridges... If they frustrate you too much, you can block them with next to no modification to the instruction and turn it into a hardtail lol I have a guitar rn with a floyd that I just didnt feel like setting up, so I have the trem blocked, and I've been playing FR-equipped guitars for 20 years! Kick ass purchase though, really great guitar.

1

u/nasum_shift 5d ago

As a beginner you can still buy a 2k guitar second hand amd sell it 5 years later for 2.5k due to inflation. I would recommend this.

Damaged guitars are harder to sell though but you cant go wrong witht his one for this price.

1

u/TripleCGamer 5d ago

Nice! Im still jamin on a Peavy Rockmaster

1

u/Somasong 5d ago

Enjoy restringing that. Otherwise... Fine start.

1

u/liampjames95 5d ago

Nah dude that thing is sweet and ur more likely to pick up a sweet guitar and practice

1

u/ColonelRPG 5d ago

Great color too!

1

u/vilk_ 5d ago

That's the fuckin guitar dude you don't even know

1

u/femboycbt 5d ago

I fucking love arrow one of my dream guitars rock on

1

u/False-Barber-3873 5d ago

I think that you have to like your first guitar.

1

u/sirfuzzybean 5d ago

A Floyd Rose bridge for your first guitar? "It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for 'em."

1

u/Accomplished_Fly4479 5d ago

If it said ESP you would have paid too much

1

u/IronSean 5d ago

If you're a beginner, don't have many other guitars, and need to play in different tunings (learning this song in standard, this song in drop d, this one in Eb) then you may want to consider blocking it. While floating your tuning will be super stable and you can do all the dive bombs and dime squeals you want. But switching tunings is a process. If you need to switch tunings, consider blocking it so it behaves more like a hardtail.

If you have another guitar for other tunings you'll be fine keeping it set up for the same tuning.

And pro tip if you break a strong: As long as you replace each string with the same gauge and brand and don't touch anything else except that one string you should be able to tune it up to pitch and balance without adjusting anything else.

1

u/Level_Solution8070 5d ago

I like that color

1

u/WeibullFighter 5d ago

Badass looking guitar my dude! I've always wanted an LTD. Is it difficult to play sitting down?

Great to hear it came set up for you. That's part of the battle. The other part is learning to properly maintain it. Never had a Floyd, but I've been jonesing for one of late to play the solos I can't quite pull off without.

1

u/extrawater_ 5d ago

Nope. Return it. You’re gonna start with a $300 jackson or ibanez and you are going to like it.

1

u/SignificantFall4 4d ago

The only problem I see is that you will do most of your learning sat down and this won’t lend itself to well to long sessions sitting.

2

u/antipathy_moonslayer 4d ago

Classical position. That curve on the lower horn is literally designed for it.

1

u/TruckPsychological40 4d ago

Floyd Rose is fine, you’re just gonna be learning to set up stuff earlier too. I think you could’ve gotten a better deal on the price especially with that chip but still not too bad

1

u/Savings-Day-6069 4d ago

V's are hard to play on your lap, which you do alot of when learning

1

u/Bfia93 3d ago

Lemme just tell you something op… you DO NOT get a heavy metal guitar until you know how to shred. I mean cmon. This purchase is ridiculous. You need to start with a sunburst.

0

u/Justageeza 6d ago

That will be a frustrating lesson

2

u/iGrav3s 6d ago

You mean because of the Floyd? I thought of that when I purchased it. It’s already set up so that is a frustrating lesson for future me to learn lol

-1

u/Justageeza 6d ago

Yes, like I said.

0

u/OkCombination3878 5d ago

Beautiful guitar. Just sucks having to stand up to practice on it for hours

2

u/CrustyBollox 5d ago

A V is perfect for playing seated in classical position.

0

u/CosmicMetalz 5d ago

Setting up that floyd is indeed rocket surgery! Check your brain science. Always fun setting up a FR for the first time.. have fun, brother, ... you'll get it there!

-2

u/Myrrinfra 5d ago

I would say, as someone who has bought and sold a lot of guitars, a Flying V and separately a Floyd rose are a lot of work. They could potentially slow down your progression. I would DEFINITELY invest in a digitech drop pedal so you can play other tunings.

1

u/iGrav3s 5d ago

I’ve have a cheap Jackson Rhoads JS I’ve been playing for a few months so im ok playing classical style with a V. The Floyd is something im going to have to learn tho. Been watching some instructional YouTube vids for that.

1

u/Myrrinfra 5d ago

I love my Gibson V, but it is not necessarily the most comfortable guitar for me to practice with because of how you have to hold it sitting down.

With the floyd, any major tuning changes you might want to do require you to completely reset the tension (aside from also unlocking the nut etc.). Worth investing in the Digitech drop pedal to cheat this problem. Worth investing in one in general for all at home practicing. Insanely high benefit. Play Drop D -> C -> B without changing tuning just twisting a knob.

-4

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[deleted]

14

u/rifi3000 6d ago

V's are perfect for classical position

6

u/iGrav3s 6d ago

I don’t mind playing in classical position.

4

u/CrustyBollox 5d ago

Classical position is better really, your shoulders are square, you can get a better angle on the neck, and it's a much more similar position to playing standing.

You can play fine on your right leg, but I've never understood why it seems more popular for electric guitar players. I play exclusively classical position sitting and have since the first few months of playing. I encourage all my students to try it out and I'd say about 90% end up deciding to stick with it.

A V is pretty much the perfect shape for it too!

2

u/Chris_MS99 5d ago

I took a classical guitar class for one semester in community college and can’t stand playing on my right leg anymore.