Roope

Roope has been playing his two custom shop signature models since the same time Alexi switched over to ESP.

Body: Alder, Random Star shape, Pearloid Binding
Pickup: Seymour Duncan Invader (now swapped for an EMG)
Controls: Single volume
Hardware: Gold or Chrome Floyd Rose Original
Neck: Neck-Thru Maple, 25.5" Scale
Fingerboard: Ebony, 24 Jumbo frets, 20-24 scalloped
Strings: DR Hi Beam, 11-50 gauge

More pics and specs from ESP Japan here.

The signature custom shop model can only be bought by custom order, and requres a minimum 4-month build time. As each one is made to order, certain specifications are open to further customization. It can be purchased here.

A less expensive (non-custom) Roope Latvala model can be bought through ESP's Standard line, found here.

Note that this model is not available in the US, and must be purchased through a foreign, willing dealer.

Roope has two black ESP Random Star guitars. They have the same specifications except for hardware color - one is fitted with gold and the other with silver. Presumably, one is kept in standard tuning down a whole step and the second in drop C tuning.

Recently, Roope acquired a third ESP instrument. Although it is also a Random Star shape, it has a few distinct differences from the black ESPs:

White finish; no binding on neck or body; non-recessed tremolo; bridge and single pickup moved closer to neck.

Here are a few shots of the new shred machine, captured from the new COB DVD:


Roope showing off his new axe.


Close-up. Notice the more forward position of bridge and pickup.


Signature headstock detail.


Blueprint for black ESP model.

Roope played Jackson guitars for his whole career before switching over to ESP. However, he still plays his old Jacksons frequently.

Body: Alder, Randy Rhoads offset V-shape
Pickup: Jackson J-50-BC, bridge position
Controls: Single Volume
Hardware: Chrome Original Floyd Rose
Neck: Neck-Thru Maple, 25.5" Scale
Binding: White Plastic on Neck and Headstock
Inlay: Jackson Reverse Sharktooth
Fingerboard: Ebony, 24 Jumbo frets

Another custom RR model that Roope designed and had built by the Jackson Custom Shop.

Body: Alder, RR Shape
Custom Paint: Black with Yellow Pinstripe
Pickup: Jackson J-50-BC humbucker in bridge position, Jackson J-50-BC single coil in neck position.
Controls: Single Volume
Hardware: Gold Original Floyd Rose
Neck: Neck-Thru Oiled Maple
Binding: White Plastic on Neck and Headstock
Inlay: Jackson Sharktooth
Fingerboard: Ebony, 24 Jumbo Frets






"This is probably my most legendary axe. I played this for about 15 years, mainly all the time. It's got a lot of feeling. As you see, it's pretty worn out."

Roope had his black RR built by the Jackson Custom Shop in 1990.

Body: Alder, RR Shape
Pickups: Jackson J-50-BC humbucker in bridge position, Jackson J-50-BC single coil in neck position.
Controls: Single volume, Jackson Je-1000 Gainboost
Hardware: Chrome Original Floyd Rose
Neck: Neck-Thru Maple, 25.5" Scale
Binding: White Plastic, Neck and Headstock
Inlay: Crosses
Fingerboard: Ebony, 24 Jumbo Frets, 20-24 Scalloped





"Same, Jackson Custom Shop, late 80s. Truly a heavy metal guitar...as you see, nice tiger thing [pointing to back of flamed maple neck]. 24 number of frets and tilt neck."

"It says over here [on back of headstock] 'ESP'. It's ESP wood. It's my only guitar that is able to create some clean sound [laughs]."

"This is my 'black metal' guitar. It has nothing extra on it. See, no tremolo, nothing, just maple neck."

"B.C. Rich...I respect the body, it's really nice. It's the only guitar that the pawn shops have taken from me! This is also a neck-thru, everything made in US. It's got a Les Paul scale so that's why I haven't been using it too much, it's got kind of a girly touch."

This unusual replica has a built-in speaker in the neck pickup slot.

"It's a miniature Akira Takasaki [of the Loudness] model. Listen to the sustain [plays a high bend]! You can go out, grab a coffee and come back, still plays. I like the shape...as you might know."

"Classical...the only one. I got this when I was 13 years old. Still plays good. Don't have the nails, I haven't been practicing much classical lately, but I do have one."

Lee Jackson GP 1000 pre-amp. Roope says that the "GP 1000 is also an 80s product and it's one sound, angry sounding little tube pre-amp. It's horrible as that, but if you add active electrics and gainboost from your guitar, the result is just great! Needs a little EQ though!" Original Lee Jackson amps can often be found on eBay for reasonable prices.

The Alesis QuadraVerb GT is a stereo effects unit that is ideal for guitar. It combines analog and digital electronics to provide the best of both worlds. Analog effects include: •Compression •Distortion •Flat/Presence/Brightness Control •Bass Boost • Speaker Cabinet Simulator (ideal for use with headphones or recording direct; can be bypassed when feeding a guitar amp) •Noise Gate • Programmable Effects Loop for inserting other effects (can also provide a signal send from the analog outputs, and receive a return signal into the digital processor) The digital effects are the same ones that have made the QuadraVerb Plus a favorite in studios and live equipment racks world-wide: •Reverb •Delay (stereo or mono) •Pitch Change (chorus, flange, detune, phaser, etc.) •Equalization (graphic or parametric) •Panning and Tremolo •Ring Modulation •Tunable Resonators (a very resonant filtering effect) •Sampling (up to 1.5 seconds of sound can be captured and replayed) The order of the analog effects are preset in their optimum positions; the routing of the digital effects is flexible and programmable. All effects parameters are editable. 100 edited programs can be saved in memory, and called up by front panel switches or MIDI program change commands. The QuadraVerb GT is also MIDI controllable. Settings need not bestatic—you can control them in real time with Continuous Controller foot pedals, or with sequencers or keyboards.

Roope says that the VHT "is just a BIG and deep-sounding tube power-amp." For more information, go to: www.vhtamp.com

"If I can pick a cabinet, I'd take 4 vintage Marshalls. Usually I have JCM 900, the very basic cabs. I have 2 Metaltronix cabinets at rehearsing site."

Brass picks: “I file them to make them even sharper. Sharp edges minimize the hand movement and help you play cleaner and faster. But watch out—this pick will damage the finish on your guitar.”

Sansamp PSA 1: "It's programmable and the distortion is pretty good."

Boss GS-10: "Lots of sounds and goes with computer, so it's very handy at home."