ESP LTD Stephen Carpenter SC-608B Baritone Electric Guitar, 8-String (with Case)

Get down and dirty with this Stephen Carpenter signature 8-string baritone guitar. Access a number of tones thanks to the active Fishman Fluence SRC pickups.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
Mahogany body Rich, warm, focused sound; added sustain
27-inch baritone scale Tighter lows; ideal for playing in lower registers
Thin U-shaped neck Slim shape with fast, easy-to-play feel
Fishman Fluence SRC pickups Signature pickups; clean, full range pickups

For over 25 years, Stephen Carpenter of Deftones has been credited for exploring his own textures with the guitar, and, in the process, becoming one of the foundations of the alternative metal musical genre. His LTD Signature Series SC-608B allows musicians of all kinds to take advantage of the extended range of an 8-string guitar while getting the benefits of a solidly-built guitar that's completely ready for studio or stage. It's a neck-thru-body design at 27" baritone scale, with a mahogany body, maple neck, and 24-fret rosewood fingerboard. Perhaps the highlight of this guitar that was updated in 2016 is its Fishman Fluence SRC Signature active pickup set. Each pickup has multiple voicings; use the push-pull control on the volume knob to select the one you want. On the middle alnico pickup, push down for "Modern Active" tone or pull up for "Modern Passive Attack". On the bridge ceramic pickup, push down for "Modern Passive Attack" tone or pull up for "Modern Active" voicing. This model utilizes a standard 9V battery.

Check out our exclusive interview with Stephen Carpenter:
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.

- CONSTRUCTION: Neck-Thru
- SCALE: 27" Baritone
- BODY: Mahogany
- NECK: 3Pc Maple
- FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 350mm
- FINISH: Black
- NUT WIDTH: 54mm
- NUT TYPE: Molded
- NECK CONTOUR: Thin U
- FRETS/TYPE: 24 XJ
- HARDWARE COLOR: Black
- STRAP BUTTON: Standard
- TUNERS: LTD Locking
- BRIDGE: Hipshot w/ String Thru
- MIDDLE PU: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature
- BRIDGE PU: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature
- ELECTRONICS: Active
- ELECTRONICS LAYOUT: Vol(P/P)/Tone/3-Way Switch
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Red Sparkle
Shipping Weight: 29.5 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 54 x 19 x 5 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): LSC608BRSP

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-423-8388

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (3 ratings)
Submitted June 2, 2024 by Mercy Cofield in Anchorage, AK

"LTD SC-608B"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This guitar is worth the money. Plan on getting it setup right when you get it. The nut slots will need filing for sure. The nut intonation was off but after I filed the slots and set up the guitar it is perfect. The stock strings were heavy for me. With the 27” scale tuned a half step down 9s feel great! I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the “neck” pickup in the middle position but it doesn’t affect my playing at all. The SC Fishman Fluence Pickups are very smooth and are also another great this guitar brings to the table. Both modern and passive voices are unique and useful. I really enjoy the passive voicing. The neck pickup clean in passive voicing is smooth. The bridge is super solid and the string through the body make for a resonant yet tight sound. The guitar feels solid and hefty. Neck is perfect! At first I was a bit thrown off having strings closer together than what I am used to, but it’s grown on me a lot. I also went from 6 to 8 strings. Figured getting a 7 didn’t make sense. The neck is thin, but not too thin, and very evenly playable. I did not expect such comfort! My only qualms - and I’m not factoring into my score of the guitar - the low f# tuner doesn’t fit the huge .080 string so I have to take a bit of wrapping off but it doesn’t cause any problems. The tuners and output jack feel cheap and I will be replacing them. The reason I’m not factoring that stuff into my score is this guitar is of surprising quality for being an LTD. I have read more bad bad experiences with 4 LTD guitars that were more or less lemons. I did not get a lemon with this SC608B. It is worth every penny! I may change that pickups to Lundgren M8s but for now the Fluence set is great!Oh yeahhh and it comes with a nice form fit hard case. Can’t beat it.

Sound
This guitar sounds and feels like a $2500 instrument. It is responsive and resonant. The frets are perfect. I was able to set it up and it plays like a tuned up sports car. Smooth and fast. Action is low without buzz.

Features
I was disappointed the fluence pickups were only setup to change voicings and didn’t include the HF Tilt. But not a big deal! The hardware that matters the most is super nice. What is most important is the guitar feels solid and sounds full.

Ease of Use
There was a bit of a learning curve for me, going from only playing six strings for 23 years. But this 8 string guitar feels better than any 7 string I have played. It took me time to get used to the strings being closer together but it doesn’t bug me at all a month into playing it.

Quality
The guitar feels like a well made instrument and I’m sure it will for a long time.

Value
Absolutely worth the money, honestly it would be perfect if the frets were stainless steel and the tuners were hipshot. But that stuff doesn’t matter much.

Manufacturer Support
I have not.

The Wow Factor
The red sparkle with the matching headstock is so beautiful. I really do enjoy just sitting and looking at it.

Musical Background:
Playing actively for 23 years. Pro musician and guitar tech. Fender certified guitar tech.

Musical Style:
Metal, death metal, hardcore. Heavy chuggy music.
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Red Sparkle

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