TEST: LTD MK-600 BLKS

 Where it says Kreator, there's metal inside. Hardly any German band, which was founded under the name "Tyrant" in 1982, can be credited with such a constant rise in popularity throughout its career as the Essen institution in the field of thrash metal. Singer, guitarist, songwriter and boss of the "democratic dictatorship", according to his own statement, is Miland "Mille" Petrozza, whose popularity in terms of metal and vegan lifestyle has long since left the domestic realms and taken on a worldwide notoriety. To adequately put his riff attacks into action, Mille collaborated with LTD, which belongs to the Japanese manufacturer ESP, and developed his signature model LTD MK 600 BLKS. As then, the chromatic saddled, the preamp to 10 and off for it.

The construction of the LTD MK 600 BLKS

Rarely is a body shape so closely associated with a musical style as the Flying V is with metal. Although the shape has also been used in rock styles and with Albert King even an icon of blues had declared the shape his favorite, the general tonal orientation of this type is still called high gain. However, the LTD MK 600 BLKS, which is to be considered a variation of the in-house Arrow series, is not a copy of the model introduced by Gibson in 1958, but a variation modified in several points. To what extent the spicing up of the original version or the avoidance of lawyer's letters from the lawsuit-happy Americans is responsible for this can only be guessed.

Fact is, however, that the general styling comes along clearly more aggressively than the original, which quite accommodates the sonic orientation. In general, you should show a proper attitude, because the instrument is not a cute cuddly cat in terms of haptics and weight. The included case already goes more in the direction of a doubleneck due to the protruding tips of the instrument and the weight of the instrument of about 3.7 kilograms also contributes its part.

Nevertheless, despite some parallels, the body shape bears independent traits and can by no means be called a copy, even though every musician will probably forever refer to the shape as the Flying V. Besides the semicircular cutout behind the vibrato system and the shaping at the edges of the body, it is especially the asymmetrical embouchure, where the body wings were glued to the continuous neck. To ensure better playability in the uppermost positions, the lower half of the body grips much higher up, actually allowing for easy handling up to the 24th fret. A bit confusing is the finish transition from the black satin finish body to the natural finish neck, where a visually obtuse angle on the back of the neck represents different finish transitions.

The neck

As mentioned earlier, the construction of the LTD MK 600 BLKS is based on a continuous neck, a fact that is still comparatively rarely encountered. Nobody wants to deny that a broken neck is much easier to replace in bolted form and that this was quite a veritable argument in Leo Fender's heyday, but compared to the vibration technical data of a continuous neck, the vast majority of bolted or even glued necks can hardly keep up.

For the fingerboard, we used what is often referred to as "Bolivian rosewood", Pau Ferro, which has similar vibration characteristics to regular rosewood, which is heavily regulated by CITES regulations, only the color is slightly lighter. The fingerboard features 24 jumbo frets and small dot inlays at the relevant frets.

The headstock of the Korean-made instrument was also milled from the 3-piece neck and has the famous "knob" below the nut to stabilize the transition point weakened by the trussrod milling. The tuners are from Grover and are mounted on a reversed headstock.

The LTD MK 600 BLKS also has a Floyd Rose 1000 vibrato system, which is set free floating. Very nice also the back of the vibrato system, where you can readjust the screws of the sheet metal bracket to which the springs of the vibrato system are attached, without removing the cover plate. Of course, the system also has a corresponding clamp saddle and a string hold-down.

Since the LTD MK 600 BLKS does not have any cutaways, the front strap holder was mounted in the upper quarter of the body above the 21st fret. The rear strap holder was placed comparatively low in the upper "horn" so that the strap is relatively close to the body. LTD also shines with the detailed solution of placing the output jack on the upper horn right next to the strap pin. Anyone who has ever seen how horrible the cable routing looks with an output jack on the lower horn with a strap pin on the upper horn, knows what I'm talking about.

The pickups of the LTD MK 600 BLKS

Once again, the Fishman Fluence pickups have made it onto an instrument that was designed without exception for the high gain range. The principle of 2 different, for personal taste adjustable sounds in a pickup meets with great popularity among musicians and has grown in the field of active pickups next to top dog EMG to a fixed size.

Here, the Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Alnico is used as the neck pickup and the Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Ceramic as the bridge pickup. Both can be selected by a mini switch in their characteristics between "Modern Active" and "Modern Passive Attack". Since Mille never makes use of a tone control anyway, it was consequently omitted. As a further switching option, only a 3-way switch was installed.


The LTD MK 600 BLKS in practice

OK, let's start with the seating position. Huh? Playing a V-shaped guitar while sitting down? Yes, it's possible, as long as you're not too shy to put the guitar between your legs in the best beginner style. Once again, the cable routing of the output jack stands out. Of course, this instrument is primarily designed for "standing operation", which can be implemented without any problems, although a slight top-heaviness cannot be avoided due to the construction.

Still without a connected amplifier, you can already hear the sound culture of the continuous neck in dry operation. It is always amazing how unbelievably balanced a through neck sounds and how immensely the sustain behavior gains with this construction. Even the Floyd Rose vibrato system, which is often called a sustain killer, does not change the excellent vibration behavior of the instrument. I could not find a single dead spot on the entire fingerboard. Every note resonates cleanly in and out, no self-resonance causes the tone to die off prematurely.

Otherwise, "You Get What You See" applies to the LTD MK 600 BLKS. Probably no one will get the idea to use the instrument in a dance musician's paradise or at Grandpa Willies old men's blues shed, although this use would probably bring a lot of momentum. The different varieties of rock can undoubtedly be celebrated with the LTD MK 600 BLKS, but the focus is clearly on metal.

As is known, 2 sonic aspects are very important in metal. On the one hand, the instrument must generate a transparent sound image even at maximum gain and must not get bogged down in a flabby sound mush and it must succeed, a clean playing style and excellent palm muting presupposed, to achieve a clean string separation. Remember, the higher the degree of distortion, the more energy you spend on which strings should NOT vibrate.

Again, the instrument delivers quite excellently. The sound remains transparent even at maximum gain and provides a good carpet for sophisticated riffing. That a free floating vibrato system in the soloist area brings some limitations of intonation in the area of double bends with it, is well known and must be incorporated into the personal playing style and is not to be chalked up to the instrument. In return, however, there is then also a Dive Bomb without tuning problems when needed.

Conclusion

With the LTD MK 600 BLKS, the ESP subsidiary shines with a very ambitious instrument in all areas of the Hard'N'Heavy sound spectrum. The instrument, designed for Kreator guitarist Mille Petrozza, convinces with a transparent sound, very good workmanship and outstanding sustain.

If you don't mind a discreet top-heaviness and want to plow through the hardest styles of metal on a high level, you should definitely give the instrument a try. The look and sound of the instrument can only be described as very authentic and deserve appropriate attention.

Additional informations:

Kreator is a German thrash metal band that has solidified its status as one of the most influential and enduring acts in the genre. Formed in 1982 in Essen, Germany, by guitarist and vocalist Miland "Mille" Petrozza, Kreator has consistently pushed the boundaries of thrash metal with their aggressive sound, politically charged lyrics, and dynamic live performances. This comprehensive report delves into the band's history, musical style, discography, impact on the metal scene, and their enduring legacy.

Early Years and Formation: Kreator emerged during the flourishing thrash metal movement of the 1980s. Inspired by bands like Venom and Slayer, Mille Petrozza and his school friend Rob Fioretti (also known as Rob "Ventor") started jamming together, eventually recruiting bassist Rob Fioretti and guitarist Jürgen Reil. They initially went by the name Tormentor, but soon changed it to Kreator, reflecting their desire to create a more aggressive and forceful sound.

Rise to Prominence: In 1985, Kreator released their debut album, "Endless Pain," which showcased their raw and frenetic style, combining breakneck speed, intense guitar riffs, and venomous vocals. The album received critical acclaim and established Kreator as a force to be reckoned with in the thrash metal scene. They followed up with "Pleasure to Kill" in 1986, an album that further cemented their reputation and is often regarded as a landmark thrash metal release.

Musical Style and Evolution: Kreator's music is characterized by its high-speed aggression, intricate guitar work, and socially conscious lyrics. They embraced a more melodic approach on albums like "Terrible Certainty" (1987) and "Extreme Aggression" (1989), which showcased their ability to craft memorable hooks while still maintaining a relentless intensity. In the early '90s, Kreator incorporated industrial and experimental elements into their sound, as seen on albums such as "Renewal" (1992) and "Cause for Conflict" (1995).

Conceptual and Political Themes: One of the hallmarks of Kreator's songwriting is their focus on political and social issues. Their lyrics often tackle topics such as war, corruption, religious fanaticism, and personal freedom. Songs like "Betrayer," "Flag of Hate," and "People of the Lie" demonstrate their ability to merge aggressive music with thought-provoking and incisive lyrics, making a powerful statement that resonates with their audience.

Discography and Key Albums: Kreator's discography is extensive and showcases their evolution over the years. Some key albums include "Coma of Souls" (1990), which featured a more progressive and complex sound; "Violent Revolution" (2001), marking a return to their thrash metal roots; and "Enemy of God" (2005), hailed as a modern thrash metal masterpiece. Their latest release, "Gods of Violence" (2017), further solidified their reputation as masters of the genre.
Live Performances and Impact: Kreator's live performances are known for their raw energy and unrelenting power. The band has toured extensively, headlining major festivals and sharing the stage with icons like Metallica, Slayer, and Iron Maiden. Their influence can be seen in the work of countless bands, as they helped define the thrash metal sound and inspired generations of musicians.

Legacy and Recognition: Kreator's contributions to the metal genre have not gone unnoticed. They have received numerous awards and accolades, including multiple wins at the Metal Hammer Awards and being inducted into the German Rock and Pop Hall of Fame. Their influence extends beyond their native Germany, with fans worldwide recognizing their impact on the thrash metal scene.

Conclusion: Kreator's unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of thrash metal, combined with their lyrical depth and powerful live performances, have solidified their place in metal history. With a career spanning over four decades, they have consistently delivered albums that showcase their evolution and maintain their relevance. Kreator's enduring legacy as one of the pioneers of thrash metal continues to inspire and influence the metal community, making them a band that will be remembered for generations to come.