Swap
Swap
ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale
Ibanez RGA42HPQM
VS
Playability
82
Sound
80
Build
77
Value
80
Score
80
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logo
Playability
75
Sound
75
Build
58
Value
74
Score
69
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Add more to comparison

LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale vs Ibanez RGA42HPQM

Reasons to Get
LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale over Ibanez RGA42HPQM

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Scale Length
26.5" to 25.5" vs 25.5"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Neck Profile
Thin U vs Wizard III
Comfortable neck with more grip
Nut Material
Bone vs Plastic
Good quality nut with rich tone
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.75'' (19.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.83'' (21.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 16'' (406.4mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
80 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Ibanez RGA42HPQM over ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale

Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Scale Length
25.5" vs 26.5" to 25.5"
Easier to adapt to
Neck Profile
Wizard III vs Thin U
Thin neck for playing fast
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.75'' (19.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Fretboard Radius
16'' (406.4mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Other Key Differences
LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale vs Ibanez RGA42HPQM

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Nazgul vs DiMarzio Fusion Edge
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Sentient vs DiMarzio Fusion Edge
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Nyatoh
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Jatoba
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Bone vs Plastic
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale vs Ibanez RGA42HPQM

Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Flamed Maple vs Quilted Maple
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale is probably the better product overall with its final score of 80 compared to the Ibanez RGA42HPQM's 69 score, which is a significant difference.

The ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Ibanez RGA42HPQM in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale is the better choice.

The ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez RGA42HPQM meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez RGA42HPQM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale Overview

  • From ESP LTD's 2020 M series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 26.5" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Flamed Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 5pc Maple/Purple Heart neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Hipshot w/ String Thru bridge
  • Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Weight between 6.25lbs (2.8kgs) and 6.55lbs (3kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Ibanez RGA42HPQM Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2021 RGA series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Nyatoh body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • F106 bridge
  • Wizard III Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Ibanez RGA42HPQM

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Jatoba wood pattern used for guitar building
Jatoba
Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
Nyatoh

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Jatoba is a hard and dense wood that emphasizes the mid-lows, giving a fuller, more round sound than, for example, Mahogany. However, it also has a lot of clarity in the top end. Find out more about Jatoba.

Nyatoh has been replacing Mahogany for guitar building. It's fairly hard, durable, more sustentable and common than Mahogany. Find out more about Nyatoh.

Winner: ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

You can purchase similar pickups to the ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale's and use them on any guitar:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Both offer you the same type of pickup mod: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale pickups switch and push knobs diagram
ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale's switch options
Ibanez RGA42HPQM pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez RGA42HPQM's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 80
Ibanez RGA42HPQM
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 75

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale compares to the Ibanez RGA42HPQM.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

On the other hand, the Ibanez RGA42HPQM comes with a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

Winner: ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez RGA42HPQM
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale
Quality of materials 85
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 77
Ibanez RGA42HPQM
Quality of materials 45
Features 60
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 58

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale Nut Width
ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale Nut Width
Ibanez RGA42HPQM Nut Width
Ibanez RGA42HPQM Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez RGA42HPQM has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez RGA42HPQM, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale's Scale Length
ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale's Scale Length
Ibanez RGA42HPQM's Scale Length
Ibanez RGA42HPQM's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, the ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale features a multi-scale of 26.5" to 25.5" while the Ibanez RGA42HPQM has a regular scale of 25.5".

A multi-scale fingerboard incorporates two scale lengths at the same time. This is present in some instruments with long scale to give a different tension to the lower strings than the higher strings. The thickest strings need more tension to avoid fret buzz (especially when tuned low), so the scale is longer for these strings, while the thinnest strings will need less tension (because they have a lower gauge), so they have a shorter scale to reduce stiffness for bends.

It can feel awkward if you've never played a multi-scale because the frets will have more separation for the higher strings, but a lot of people love their versatility.

On the other hand, the Ibanez RGA42HPQM's 25.5" regular scale means it has a fixed scale for all the strings.This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale Neck Profile
ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale's neck profile
Ibanez RGA42HPQM Neck Profile
Ibanez RGA42HPQM's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale has a U type of neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

The Ibanez RGA42HPQM, on the other hand, has a Wizard neck. This is thinner than most C-type necks. It won't get in your way if you want to play fast solos. It's not as slim as 'Super Wizard' necks, so it might fit you better if you don't like ultra-thin necks.

Fretboard Radius

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale Fingerboard Radius
ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale's Fingerboard radius
Ibanez RGA42HPQM Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez RGA42HPQM's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez RGA42HPQM's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Ibanez RGA42HPQM.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez RGA42HPQM:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale Frets Size
ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale's Frets Size
Ibanez RGA42HPQM Frets Size
Ibanez RGA42HPQM's Frets Size

The ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Ibanez RGA42HPQM's Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

ESP LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 80
Playability 82
Ibanez RGA42HPQM
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 75

Specs Side-by-Side

LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale vs Ibanez RGA42HPQM
General LTD M-1000 Multi-Scale Ibanez RGA42HPQM
Brand: ESP LTD Ibanez
Year: 2020 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: M RGA
Colors: Black Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Nyatoh
Bridge: Hipshot w/ String Thru F106
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: LTD Locking Ibanez
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony Jatoba
Neck Material: 5pc Maple/Purple Heart Roasted Maple
Decoration: Offset Dots Off-set white dot
Scale Size: 26.5" to 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Thin U Wizard III
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.75'' (19.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 16"
Nut: Bone Plastic
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1