EC-1000s are supposed to be pretty nice guitars, though I personally prefer the EC-400s better. ESP guitars can take a pretty good beating no matter which one you get. Both the EC-1000 and the EC-400 (depending on which setup you get) offer the EMG-81 sets, so they'll sound relatively the same, but the EC-400 will run you about 100 to 150 dollars less than the EC-1000. Just wanted to let you know. ;)