NGD - ESP EII Eclipse

JimmyO

JimmyO

New member
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Bought my first ESP last weekend. It's a marine blue quilt maple top that transitions from dark navy to brighter blue in the sunlight. Was looking for a contemporary style Les Paul and saw this one in the store, and couldn't stop playing it. I love the sustain and tone of a Les Paul, and love my Gibson, but was looking for something lighter and shreddier. Played it along with several other guitars from Gibson, Fender, Ibanez and Charvel and this one had the best quality and tone in its price range. I also tried some Music Mans that were incredible, but twice the price of the E-II.

I was really surprised that I liked the EMGs. I've always been a traditional Paf or hot-rodded paf kinda a person, but was impressed with the range of tones and styles that these pickups can do. They sounds great for rock and metal, naturally, but also great for jazz, blues and clean tones. The neck pickup especially had so much clarity and no boominess for a LP style guitar, yet still had that rich and juicy tone you expect. On paper I probably wouldn't have gone for this guitar, but I made myself have open mind and pick the guitar that played and sounded the best and called to me in terms of aesthetics and feel. That's why I really like to try out guitars before buying. I've seen where between two identical guitars one will sound more my style than the other.

The quality of the E-ii is impeccable. Everything was setup perfect and the finish and fretwork and inlays are immaculate. It's my first new guitar where I literally had to make no adjustments other than put my favorite brand of strings on. It was even setup for my 10s. I've been impressed with all the Japanese guitars I've owned or played and this one is the best so far. Had the chance to compare directly with a 2018 Les Paul traditional that was on sale as they clear the way for the new 2019s so in the same price range. I love Gibsons, and the Les Paul sounded great, but the ESP was better put together. In Gibsons defense the store may have given me a more beaten up one to try as it was on clearance, and I have a Les Paul from 2013 that is also immaculate and high quality so know they can be great guitars.

All in all very happy. Will have good times playing this one.
 
Re: NGD - ESP EII Eclipse

You went about your purchase the old fashioned way which was trying several instead of going by a spec sheet which worked out great for you.
Imo ESP has some of the nicest quilt and flame tops on the market because they are so deep and detailed compared to others. Congrats and thanks for sharing!

Ps get some strap locks
 
Re: NGD - ESP EII Eclipse

metalchurch79 said:
You went about your purchase the old fashioned way which was trying several instead of going by a spec sheet which worked out great for you.
Imo ESP has some of the nicest quilt and flame tops on the market because they are so deep and detailed compared to others. Congrats and thanks for sharing!

Ps get some strap locks
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Thanks man. It comes with a set of black Schaller strap locks pre installed by ESP. These guys have thought of everything. When they market these guitars as gig ready they are not kidding.
 
Re: NGD - ESP EII Eclipse

JimmyO said:
Thanks man. It comes with a set of black Schaller strap locks pre installed by ESP. These guys have thought of everything. When they market these guitars as gig ready they are not kidding.
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I wish more companies would install them stock. Beautiful guitar- it is an ESP I would actually use.
 
Re: NGD - ESP EII Eclipse

Dave, for such a small price you'd think so... I assumed it didn't have them that's why I suggested it. Its definitely a looker that's for sure!
 
Re: NGD - ESP EII Eclipse

Beautiful. I've seen those on eBay a couple times and always wondered how it'd look with chrome hardware.

Eclipses are always great guitars. You never hear about duds from ESP.

Sent from my BlackBerry using Tapatalk
 
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