ESP Mirage ???
- Thread starter Jonny R
- Start date
7th Hell
New member
Re: ESP Mirage ???
Here's a site: http://www.docsguitars.com/guitars_docs/esp_mirage_red_full.shtml
I believe ESP stopped making the Mirage line in the early 90's. The Mirage featured s/s/h pup combination, as well as a unique body shape. Similar to today's MII design, but with thinner horns. If you have a chance at getting one of these at a good price, I say jump on it! ESP is reknown for building high quality guitars. I'm not a big fan of the pup configuration- my pick seems to always catch the center single coil pup. I tried lowering the height, but that made the gitar sound like crap. Long story short- I sold it.
Here's a site: http://www.docsguitars.com/guitars_docs/esp_mirage_red_full.shtml
I believe ESP stopped making the Mirage line in the early 90's. The Mirage featured s/s/h pup combination, as well as a unique body shape. Similar to today's MII design, but with thinner horns. If you have a chance at getting one of these at a good price, I say jump on it! ESP is reknown for building high quality guitars. I'm not a big fan of the pup configuration- my pick seems to always catch the center single coil pup. I tried lowering the height, but that made the gitar sound like crap. Long story short- I sold it.
orbiter
New member
Re: ESP Mirage ???
which mirage??
the basic metal shape ones are from the 80's are cool whammy axes ... I have a mirage deluxe ... and it's a great shredder guitar. birdseye maple fingerboard on 1/4 sawn maple neck w/ binding .. alder body HSS w/ floyd etc...
they evolved into a smaller body strat w/ a wilkenson non locking trems .. most have ash bodies and trans finsh .. they are solid HSS guitars ... very nice frets w/ a strat style "c" shape neck ... looks like the one in the link above w/o the maple top ... I havent seen too many like that. but most have matching headstock.
I'd say .. if you can scoop it up for under $400 .. buy it .. otherwise hold out and keep looking.
~G
which mirage??
the basic metal shape ones are from the 80's are cool whammy axes ... I have a mirage deluxe ... and it's a great shredder guitar. birdseye maple fingerboard on 1/4 sawn maple neck w/ binding .. alder body HSS w/ floyd etc...
they evolved into a smaller body strat w/ a wilkenson non locking trems .. most have ash bodies and trans finsh .. they are solid HSS guitars ... very nice frets w/ a strat style "c" shape neck ... looks like the one in the link above w/o the maple top ... I havent seen too many like that. but most have matching headstock.
I'd say .. if you can scoop it up for under $400 .. buy it .. otherwise hold out and keep looking.
~G
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: ESP Mirage ???
There are basically 4 Mirage type guitars:
The original Mirage Custom from the 80's
The Mirage I (Deluxe and also called just "Mirage")
The M1 Tiger
and the current M-II
The original Mirage Custom was either set neck or neck thru, the ones I played has painted necks so I couldn't see the neck joint.
Of the current models, the M-II is a great guitar! I posted a thread about the M-II Urban Camo guitar not too long ago ...
At it's price point, it's a Jackson/Ibanez/Fender/Dean/Washburn KILLER!!
I own an actual M1 Tiger and am most familiar with that model, of course.
Highly recommended ... I will try to answer any specific questions you have.
There are basically 4 Mirage type guitars:
The original Mirage Custom from the 80's
The Mirage I (Deluxe and also called just "Mirage")
The M1 Tiger
and the current M-II
The original Mirage Custom was either set neck or neck thru, the ones I played has painted necks so I couldn't see the neck joint.
Of the current models, the M-II is a great guitar! I posted a thread about the M-II Urban Camo guitar not too long ago ...
At it's price point, it's a Jackson/Ibanez/Fender/Dean/Washburn KILLER!!
I own an actual M1 Tiger and am most familiar with that model, of course.
Highly recommended ... I will try to answer any specific questions you have.
orbiter
New member
Re: ESP Mirage ???
I would add 2 to that list
the mirage from the mid 90's that I described above ... and the m-III custom w/ its mahogany body and maple cap w/ pickguard. and non pointy headstock.
the mirage
then customs and deluxes
M-1
M-II and then M-II deluxe
The Mirage (totally revamped non-pointy rev headstock wilk trem and smaller body)
M-II and M-III customs show up in the late 90's
tones from the M-1 tiger tend to differ greatly from the others due to its maple body.
the early mirages and horizons were neck-thru FWIW. ESP didnt offer a set-neck outside the custom shop until recently ... thats why all those early eclipse's and vipers etc... have 251/2 inch strat style bolt on necks.
I would add 2 to that list
the mirage from the mid 90's that I described above ... and the m-III custom w/ its mahogany body and maple cap w/ pickguard. and non pointy headstock.
the mirage
then customs and deluxes
M-1
M-II and then M-II deluxe
The Mirage (totally revamped non-pointy rev headstock wilk trem and smaller body)
M-II and M-III customs show up in the late 90's
tones from the M-1 tiger tend to differ greatly from the others due to its maple body.
the early mirages and horizons were neck-thru FWIW. ESP didnt offer a set-neck outside the custom shop until recently ... thats why all those early eclipse's and vipers etc... have 251/2 inch strat style bolt on necks.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: ESP Mirage ???
Good info, orbiter!
Good info, orbiter!
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: ESP Mirage ???
As far as I know, ESP has never had a model with the name Mirage that was Tele shaped. What most Mirages have in common is a distinctive horn shape, neck plate, and electronics cover plate. Pickup conifigs and other options changed, but they were always solid wood guitars (no pickguard) and NOT Tele shaped ...
As far as I know, ESP has never had a model with the name Mirage that was Tele shaped. What most Mirages have in common is a distinctive horn shape, neck plate, and electronics cover plate. Pickup conifigs and other options changed, but they were always solid wood guitars (no pickguard) and NOT Tele shaped ...
Jonny R
Volcano Fireologist
Re: ESP Mirage ???
Confusing...it seems to have a genuine Floyd Rose on it, and I'm pretty sure I'm remembering correctly that it was a Tele shape.
I only found one reference searching on Google re the Mirage and tele shapes, and it was to one used by GnR, with a Jackson style headstock.
I can't remember what the headstock was like on the one I saw.
Wouldn't wanna buy it if it wasn't genuine, but I think it would a good deal if it is genuine.
Confusing...it seems to have a genuine Floyd Rose on it, and I'm pretty sure I'm remembering correctly that it was a Tele shape.
I only found one reference searching on Google re the Mirage and tele shapes, and it was to one used by GnR, with a Jackson style headstock.
I can't remember what the headstock was like on the one I saw.
Wouldn't wanna buy it if it wasn't genuine, but I think it would a good deal if it is genuine.
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: ESP Mirage ???
The guitar (at the rockshop, right?) you saw was one of two custom ESPs built in the 80s for Former Thompson Twins singer/writer/guitarist Tom Bailey. I seem to remember seeing all kinds of custom ESPs with various names being used by artists in the 80s. Tom currently lives in Auckland with Kiwi partner (and former twin) Allanah Currie.
I have a feeling the guitar may have been used onstage at Live Aid. Other TT Live Aid trivia: Madonna played tambourine during the Twins' set and looked happy just to be onstage, and Steve Stevens joined them for a cover of the Beatles' Revolution, adding killer raygun guitar antics.
BTW, cadenza guitars has a maverick in Vernon Reid-style Kulick paint finish.
Jonny R said:
The guitar (at the rockshop, right?) you saw was one of two custom ESPs built in the 80s for Former Thompson Twins singer/writer/guitarist Tom Bailey. I seem to remember seeing all kinds of custom ESPs with various names being used by artists in the 80s. Tom currently lives in Auckland with Kiwi partner (and former twin) Allanah Currie.
I have a feeling the guitar may have been used onstage at Live Aid. Other TT Live Aid trivia: Madonna played tambourine during the Twins' set and looked happy just to be onstage, and Steve Stevens joined them for a cover of the Beatles' Revolution, adding killer raygun guitar antics.
BTW, cadenza guitars has a maverick in Vernon Reid-style Kulick paint finish.
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TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: ESP Mirage ???
Wow, Hot Grits ... you're a walking encyclopedia!
Wow, Hot Grits ... you're a walking encyclopedia!
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: ESP Mirage ???
haha, nah, just a sad child of the 80s. I know my synth-pop.
Before I discovered Van Halen, about the only wailing guitar I heard as a kid was Steve Stevens and Duran Duran's Andy Taylor. In fact, New Zealand was pretty metal-free until Bon Jovi hit big...
haha, nah, just a sad child of the 80s. I know my synth-pop.
Before I discovered Van Halen, about the only wailing guitar I heard as a kid was Steve Stevens and Duran Duran's Andy Taylor. In fact, New Zealand was pretty metal-free until Bon Jovi hit big...
Jonny R
Volcano Fireologist
Re: ESP Mirage ???
Cool, thanks Hot_Grits. I thought you'd know about it.
Just popped out to have another look at the guitar.
I know it's cheap for an ESP (US$380 or thereabouts) but I realised that it's not really me.
I'd like a Tele-Gib, and would be happy to have an ESP one, but it has that big mirrored reflector (yeah, I could probably get it off the gat) on it, and it has a Floyd Rose. Nothing wrong with having a Floyd but I'd prefer a Tele-Gib to be hard-tail.
Given I don't play much heavy music anymore I also came to the conclusion that I probably wouldn't use it much. I also have a H-S-H mahogany/maple guitar anyways...so in the end decided not to buy it.
How much was the Vernon Maverick guitar going for?
Cool, thanks Hot_Grits. I thought you'd know about it.
Just popped out to have another look at the guitar.
I know it's cheap for an ESP (US$380 or thereabouts) but I realised that it's not really me.
I'd like a Tele-Gib, and would be happy to have an ESP one, but it has that big mirrored reflector (yeah, I could probably get it off the gat) on it, and it has a Floyd Rose. Nothing wrong with having a Floyd but I'd prefer a Tele-Gib to be hard-tail.
Given I don't play much heavy music anymore I also came to the conclusion that I probably wouldn't use it much. I also have a H-S-H mahogany/maple guitar anyways...so in the end decided not to buy it.
How much was the Vernon Maverick guitar going for?
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: ESP Mirage ???
Dunno. Eddie at Cadenza never tell you what his guitars are selling for, He's a bit odd like that.
Dunno. Eddie at Cadenza never tell you what his guitars are selling for, He's a bit odd like that.
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: ESP Mirage ???
It's, ah, complicated.
Here's how it works (or doesn't): spot a guitar you like and ask how much it's going for. Very occasionally, he'll quote a price. MOST of the time, he'll do one of two things:
-Scratch his chin, and say something along the lines of "well, It's not really for sale. Perhaps if I got the right price..."
-ask you "how much do you think it's worth" -this is his cue that he will eventually, after three to five more questions, he will reveal his asking price. From there, it's a fifty percent chance that you'll end up offering a decent price and he'll turn around and decide it definitely isn't for sale.
-I think what he trys to do is gauge interest and capability to buy, and price on the spot accordingly. Frustrating. Nice enough bloke, though.
I wonder how he pays the rent. Maybe his shop is equivalent to the pointless little specialty stores you see around wher I live, that seem to be no use to anyone except as a tax writeoff for Daddy/Hubby...
It's, ah, complicated.
Here's how it works (or doesn't): spot a guitar you like and ask how much it's going for. Very occasionally, he'll quote a price. MOST of the time, he'll do one of two things:
-Scratch his chin, and say something along the lines of "well, It's not really for sale. Perhaps if I got the right price..."
-ask you "how much do you think it's worth" -this is his cue that he will eventually, after three to five more questions, he will reveal his asking price. From there, it's a fifty percent chance that you'll end up offering a decent price and he'll turn around and decide it definitely isn't for sale.
-I think what he trys to do is gauge interest and capability to buy, and price on the spot accordingly. Frustrating. Nice enough bloke, though.
I wonder how he pays the rent. Maybe his shop is equivalent to the pointless little specialty stores you see around wher I live, that seem to be no use to anyone except as a tax writeoff for Daddy/Hubby...
orbiter
New member
Re: ESP Mirage ???
the tele ESP's were called Eclipse's
and in some non USA markets the M series is referred to as the maverick .. though the mavs I remember from way back were a bit different than the M of that period.
There may have been a mirage tele type thang ... but I'm unable to recall seeing one... I do remember these eclipses though.
the tele ESP's were called Eclipse's
and in some non USA markets the M series is referred to as the maverick .. though the mavs I remember from way back were a bit different than the M of that period.
There may have been a mirage tele type thang ... but I'm unable to recall seeing one... I do remember these eclipses though.
