ESP: M-series former headstock

Following my Samoth-ESP post, there were some queries as to how the former ESP pointy headstock look like since the one in that entry wasn't showing enough clarity. The one above proves useful.

This headstock design lasted till late 1980s before the current cut took over. The reason for it being dumped was simple; it looked too similar to another manufacturer's design so legal complications took place.

The final pic here is off the ESP website, note the slight design variation- the blue version featured a more acute break angle from the bass-side E string to the machine head post as opposed to its black counterpart.

Samoth- full circle

Still pertaining to ESP- I recently searched for old Emperor pictures hoping to see them in their face paints or maybe a glimpse of how Ihsahn looked like with longer hair, he, he... Yes, I found them but I also found out they started with ESP guitars. In the collage above, you'd see Samoth wielding a black M-series type ESP, we know these are the early ESP models because the headstock was the Jackson type design. He then embraced a BC Rich, mostly seen during the IX Equilibrium era, moved on to Jackson & finally back to the ESP.

ESP: Special order - touchdown (4)

I was at Beez's last weekend, had a push-pull coil split switch installed in my ESP Special Order M-II so that the Duncan JB there could be reduced to a single coil for a wider tonal option. I'm currently liking the fact that there's no tone knob in this guitar so it churns out that very protrusive growl.

This is how the control cavity looks like- spacious & absolutely neat all round.
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My other ESPs:

• Eclipse II (satin finish)
• Horizon II
• Horizon III
• Phoenix II

ESP: M-II Deluxe (discont'd)

I don't think the ESP chaps had any major problems in manifesting my Special Order. The model you see here is the discontinued M-II Deluxe which was rested in 1998- note the single coil slot in the neck. They had the template ready for it, that's what I reckoned.

PS: Friends, I accidentally deleted a recent e-mail pertaining to my Kramer V, if you are reading this, please reply- thanks!

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My other ESPs:

• Eclipse II
• Phoenix II
• Horizon II
• Horizon III

ESP: Special order - touchdown (3)

Rushed home today to hear my new darling in action- ESP MII Special Order. I've had enough of black, so it's an all white affair this time.

The only special change for this guitar- otherwise it's an ordinary, off-the-shelf M-Series- is the inclusion of a single coil neck pickup instead of a humbucker. This is my first Special Order guitar, I just want to observe the QC standard which is unquestionably superb!

Body rear view- the heel there had been inclined & bevelled as an upper fret allowance.

A very ordinary, M-Series headstock...

... the rear headstock has the label proof that this is not a custom order model. The Special Order is any Standard Series guitar with specific instructions from the buyer to incorporate a little deviation in specs.

This is another ESP guitar of mine, featuring an Original Floyd Rose bridge, which allows for a very low action. I'm not concluding that a Floyd Rose inclusion is the end-all solution for you if you wish for a low action but it facilitates this set up.

The pickups in this guitar:

• Neck: Seymour Duncan Classic Stack Plus
• Bridge: Seymour Duncan JB

I am currently favouring the single coil pickup in the neck for its more top-end protrusion; I wouldn't like to hear too much bass in this position.

My utmost thanks to Janet @ Davis GMC for making this acquisition possible, Chris for leaving a message to inform me of its arrival & Burn for helping me hook this guitar up with many Fuchs pedals! Thank you, everyone!

ESP: Special order - touchdown (2)

I've brought my Special Order ESP home; revelation tomorrow. Tired... not feeling well.

ESP: Special order - touchdown (1)

I was at Davis GMC earlier today... em... that should be yesterday. Never mind. I was there to settle payment for my ESP Special Order model which finally arrived on16th July 2011. I didn't bring it home because I was on the way to another destination; dinner beckoned.

ESP: New models for spring

The Horizon 27- not really new, you've seen the LTD version, yes? Still thinking if I should special order this in another finish since it's only released in gloss black.

The Eclipse-II is now offered as a 24-fretter. Emm... only available in black.

ESP: V-plus SC

Spring is also the time when ESP releases new models for the Japanese market. The Vintage Plus SC you see here is new, this time round, there are no relic characteristics to it; it's all neat & tidy. The default pickups are a trio of Seymour Duncan Fury single coils & that fretboard there has a scalloped feature (that's what the 'SC' stands for)- screams Malmsteen, this one.

ESP: Eternal Descent

Remember the LTD Eternal Descent models? Here's the ESP version only available in the Japanese market. Note the headstock inscription; it doesn't say 'ESP' but 'ED' instead.

ESP signatures @ Davis GMC

They're here- if you want them, that is. ESP's Kirk Hammett KH-2 in green burst & Hetfield's Snakebyte (white finish available) are available @ Davis GMC. Prices are not out yet at time of posting. Call the store if you can't sleep not knowing how much they are.

Quake @ Japan

With Japan now in the midst of recovering from the earthquake, I can forget about my ESP special order guitar arriving here on time... The nuclear plant explosion is worrying. Many of us could hardly remember the Chernobyl disaster which had the fallout travel to Malaysia- Japan is much nearer to us.

I'm not blaming anyone for this- just a small test in the wait. Godspeed to the recovery in Japan.

Eclipsing the LP

The ESP NT model has been Gus G's preferred guitar. This is what Gus has to say about it:

But I've got so used to playing with the NT shape that if I pick up any other guitar it feels strange now.

Subsequently, the signature EC model was conceived when he became Ozzy's guitarist; why was it necessary? Apparently, Ozzy asked Gus if he plays the Les Paul because there is a track record of his guitarists being Les Paul players. The answer to this query reflected why Gus G sticks to ESP:

..., I hate Les Pauls.

But as a compromise, Gus had ESP make him the EC model we see above. So now we know what went on. In my opinion, if you respect the player, let him use whatever he wants.

Low Horizon

This is a crude measurement of my ESP Horizon FR-II's action; showing only the bass side E-string at the 12th fret. 

As you can see, it's just slightly above 0.1cm there which is a super low action but this guitar has no problems adapting to the situation- no dead notes along the fretboard register. If you play fast (& faster when nobody's looking), this action setting is very rewarding. This is the new low for me, one of my Ibanez guitars sports a 0.15cm action at the same fret but this guitar proves that lower action is possible; it's all about construction & provision.

Phat Horizon

Was at BEEZ's today to have the neck pickup of my new ESP Horizon FR-II installed. This is how things are in the pickups cavities- very neat & tidy, even the shielding paint had been applied evenly.

Ditto the controls cavity; everything prim & proper in there. I'm very happy that ESP made a point to have Orange Drop caps in the Horizons- it's a statement of quality. I don't see the point of naming my guitars after girls, I just have stickers pasted on them, strategically, of course.

The Horizon FR-II features a push-push coil split pickup switch.

The current pickups in there:

• Neck: Duncan Phat Cat
• Bridge: Duncan JB trembucker

 I have the JB-'59 combo in my ESP Phoenix II so the neck '59 here made way for the Phat Cat. It's now a single coil + humbucker pickup guitar, would it be any lesser than it's previous H-H feature? Definitely not, it's what I want to hear from this guitar & I got want I wanted; a brighter, less boomy tone in the neck pickup position.

Thanks BEEZ, for the splendid job, as always.

PS: Vanessa, if you are reading this, nice meeting you today.

ESP: Horizon FR-II

My latest ESP is the Horizon FR-II. Yes, it's another black guitar but I've chose this particular one because it clicks very well with me. The tone & playbility is outstanding. That's an ebony fretboard there.

The brand name & series are clearly stated at the headstock. This is my first ESP sporting this pointy version.

The dual cutaway is well-beveled as clearly seen here. Pickups:

• Neck: Seymour Duncan '59
• Bridge: JB Trembucker

 The top's curve with a levelled centre neck-through piece.

The upper fret access is a breeze with this block-free neck-body joint. Also, the rib-cage chamfer is one of the most generous I've come across; it's almost touching the rear cavity area.

I'm very happy with this guitar, it's worth every cent of the asking price namely because it has all the features I want from an ESP. If you intend to own an ESP this is the time to grab one as there will be a price revision come April, latest.

What the...?

What the...?! My ESP isn't due till May 2011, so what's this all about?

ULTRAs

I've been looking around for an ESP model which is a little different but not a major departure in terms of design, from the mainstream offerings. I remember there was an Ultratone model, which was very Viper-like, Geroge Lynch was seen playing one some time ago. True enough, there was an Ultratone but it was discontinued in 2004 (pictured above).

However, the Ultratone was updated subsequently & it escaped my attention. The revised edition features (it's still available today):

• 2 more frets
• a re-designed pickguard
• re-aligned humbuckers (not to mention the Duncans currently in use)
• knobs re-orientation
• body outline revision
• truss rod access re-location

I might just refer to this blueprint for my subsequent ESP special order. If there are any more, that is. Still waiting for my current one.

No ESP (part II)

Unlike last year, there's no record of Kiko Loureiro in the ESP pages this 2011. Word is, he's not with ESP any more so his signature models were absent in the catalogs.

ESP: Snakebyte

Still on the new ESP range (2011): The Snakebyte model is the new signature offering for Metallica's James Hetfield but there wasn't quite an attempt to make it visually appealing, yes? The headstock design...

...could give the Warwick Buzzard bass some pecking competition.