Gear Review: Wilson guitarist Jason Spencer on his ESP LTD EC-1000 Deluxe guitar

I recently had a chance to speak with Jason Spencer, guitarist of the seriously hard rocking band, Wilson. The group is getting ready to release their newest offering Full Blast Fuckery on July 9th so I thought I would check in with Spencer and see what his favorite piece of gear is. Here is what he had to say about his guitar!

What one piece of gear do you use to obtain your signature sound?
Jason: My ESP LTD EC-1000 Deluxe guitar – her name is Zahara.

What about it makes it so important to you?
Jason: I’ve used this guitar for most of my touring years. It was used on the last Wilson EP and it was also used on the majority of the new full-length. It has been on each tour I’ve done to date. I just enjoy the hell out of this old, nasty gal. It really lets me “dig in” to the guitar. I’m a right handed chops player, so being able to really dig at each note and hear the articulation is rad. I’ve banged it up pretty good (we have a child named Lady Bird – which is my other vintage EC-1000), but it never fails to put out and leave me feeling good on the inside.

What are the major pros and cons?
Jason: Pros. Well I’ll tell you what, I’ve never really changed anything on this guitar other than the grooves in the nut for larger strings and a couple of saddles from wear n’ tear. It’s a simple guitar that allows for some serious ripping, which is why I took interest in it in the first place. The weight is great and the neck feels good for my hand (she’s a fatty!). That being the case, I don’t see any cons in it. However, I can see where some people may find that when they play clean there is not a lot of brightness, but then again this guitar really isn’t (in my opinion) designed for that… unless you change out the pickups. Moral is, if you want to play clean guitar look into a guitar more suitable for that style.

How long have you had it, how do you use it, would you ever change it?
Jason: I’ve had this mofo for five years. It has been my main live guitar, as well a dominant studio guitar. I wouldn’t change it at all. I bought this guitar for a specific sound and that’s exactly what it gave me. To me, that rules. After all, it’s more how you play the damn thing – the old right hand!

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Jason: Buy one! ESP is a great company with some killer guitars and this is just one of them.

Check out the song “Viking Pussies Fuck Off”