I bought the last guitar you tested, the E-ii Horizon, in Dec. 2019 and absolutely fell in love with it. Like you, I too love the headstock. It looks very elegant. Fast neck and awesome sound. I'm aware of ESP being built in the USA - Why? I have no idea other than a novelty or prestige thing and costing waaay too much. For me, if I want an authentic ESP - I want one built in Japan not the USA. Simply because that's where it's originated. It's like a Gibson or Fender - originated in the USA. ESP and Ibanez are Japanese guitars and their workmanship is unbelievable.
Ended up getting lucky last year with a mint 2019 ESP E-II Eclipse in blue natural fade for $1200! I wanna preface with the fact that I was terribly prejudicial towards EMG pickups, but picked up that guitar regardless simply because of its looks and the killer deal. Let me tell you first off, E-II quality is second to none. I don’t usually prefer single cut guitars, and I DEFINITELY don’t prefer glossy necks, but that guitar still manages to be my favorite and most played by a fair margin. ESP and E-II branding aside, if you’ve wanted to try EMGs but are also put off because of the “shredders only” stigma they seem to have generated over the years, find a guitar with the “splittable” 57TW/66TW set and just give them a try. They are genuinely very dynamic and beautiful sounding pickups and offer great tones that are usable for just about any music you may play. I don’t usually go this far just for a TH-cam comment, but if it can encourage even just one person to go out of their comfort zone and experience the same surprise and satisfaction that I did, then it’s worth it.
Just picked up a Horizon FR like on this video for $1299 mint at GC, was for sure for sure nicer than the PRS S2s and the Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro I originally came for.
I do not own an E-II guitar but I did have my personal guitar fitted with the 57/66TW. All it takes for them to achieve nice clean tones to crunch tones is by rolling back the tone and volume pots to 60 - 75%(this percentage is subjective though). One could also adjust his playing style to compensate. I don't really get why other people hate actives esp. if they had not tried some adjustments 🤣😁
I own one and its simply the best guitar for me and metal. Also I get alot of compliments because of the beautiful finish and the brand is unknown to most which is crazy to me
The ESP Horizon II FR with the passive S.Duncans is propably one of the greatest, modern Superstrat models out there. The playabillty is superb, with the neck-through construction & the coil-split makes it super versatile. You have 6 tone options (3 in full humbucker mode plus another 3 in split mode), plus the Pegasus/Sentient set is designed for maximum versatillity. Btw. the Pegasus has much less output then the oldschool JB and can get you everything from great cleans to classic rock to full-on metal tones. It´s a shame they only offer it with the Duncans & ORF in this finish here and that blue-purple burst. In Japan, they also offer a version with a plain maple top in gloss black. (Andy Laroque from King Diamond´s band has one of these) and they also offer the Tiger´s Eye & Black Cherry burst only with active EMG´s. Back in the day, when they had the old "Standard" Series, the Horizon II models came with both passive Duncans/active EMG´s and OFR/fixed bridge on all models, plus they had 4-5 different finish options to choose from. Oh and there´s also the Horizon-I and Horizon-III models, the I is similar to the II but with a rails mini-humbucker in the neck and the III model has a bodyshape which is more offset and an elongated upper horn.
Hey SRH, thanks for watching, I think they wanted some distinction between the Japanese (E-II) models and the USA line, essentially raising the profile of the American built guitars. The E-II's though are every bit as good and as you can hear in the video, they sound mega!
@@PeachGuitars The E-II line is made in the same factory with the same employees as the ESP line, they actually used to be labeled ESP Standard series but ESP felt like that by labeling them with the ESP branding it took away from the actual ESP line cause they like to think of actual ESP being a custom shop and ESP standard took away from that. Kinda like why Gibson does Epiphone. They still make them to a high level, E-II, but it's more of a production line series. Now the USA custom shop is on another level so much so it's mind boggling. Back in 2012 I was saving up for an ESP standard and decided on another guitar altogether and now I wish I hadn't. Anyway great video and I'd love to see more high performance guitars on Peach guitars cause while I love my Gibson and Fender guitars I also love super strats!
Changing the name on the standard series was bad move. I have two eclipses From 2005 and 2009. The quality was better back then the current e-2 series.
ESP´s marketing policy is, excuse my greek, absolutely ret*rded. Why change the name of the ESP Standard Series into "E-II"?! The Standard Series had a great reputation of beeing reasonable priced, high-performance guitars. I´m paying ESP money, I want the ESP logo on the headstock, which ironically in on the fretboard inlay! Also, why starting an american ESP "pseudo"-custom shop, where you have to pay over 5 grand for a guitar that you can´t even spec out the way you want? I´ll rather spend that money on a proper, Made in Japan ESP custom shop, where they build you whatever you want and the guitar puts most Made in USA instruments to shame.
With LTD's going over 1K now these EII are the best bet from the ESP line, so it wont be long before thy arent really affordable any longer knowing ESP
Have you noticed, among the Eclipse FT range (full thickness) a difference in neck profile thickness? Black natural feels thicker than thin U shape but nowhere near chunky, yet the tobacco sunburst seems to be actually 50s-style chunky, despite the same "thin U" profile. Thanks!
I personally love the single cut with the silver burst considering the Gibson silver bursts are just getting stupid now!! EDIT : Its not silver burst, natural black burst i guess!!
Am I the only one that doesn’t give two s**ts about the EII branding? I think it looks dope I always knew these guitars were ESPs and that branding does not bother me at alllll. All I care about is how it plays!
Thank you for showing how much more versatile and pleasurable tones from the 7 string can be !!! So So tired of hearing "chugging " and that terrible sound it makes the low "B" sound like.... The chords you used with it sounded wonderful to hear, Thank again...
“E-II” on the headstock? Terrible marketing decision. I mean, it makes sense to differentiate the custom models from the production models but replacing the ESP logo with a daft name like E-II is not the way to do it. For a company that makes incredibly high quality instruments across the board, ESP has always been terrible at marketing and distribution.
@AKAJACE1337 Unfortunately no, it is something curious because all the new LTD models for this 2021 do have stainless steel frets and several evertune bridge. ESP makes strange decisions, first it changed its standard line to E-ll, removing ESP from the headstock, now it leaves its most economical line, the LTD with stainless steel frets. While they makes absolutely no effort to make his E-ll line the most interesting, with improvements in combination of woods, or some upgrades, On the contrary they opts to leave the same product but more expensive at 2,000 USD. With that it seems that they are not interested in customers buying that Japanese line of guitars, But all the customers buy better LTD.
It's a shame because the the reason I would have spent the extra is to have ESP written on the head for a flex . Now it just us e 2 I might aswell just save the money and get an ltd. Theyre still fantastic guitars
Nope, the proper ESP Custom Shop models ( ESP Originals) are still made in Japan. E-II is the rebranded old ESP "Standard" Series, which are made in Japan production models. There´s also Edwards, which is a made in Japan production line, that is a little cheaper than the E-II Series. And then of course, we have ESP/LTD which is the import line, ranging from entry-level ( 200 Series) to pro-level models ( 1000 Deluxe Series ). The ESP USA pseudo "custom shop" models are made by the USA Schecter custom shop, but they offer very limited customisation options, while being expensive af. For example: the Horizon II USA model comes only as a hardtail, while the proper Japan custom shop can build you one with whatever type of bridge you like. I have no idea, why they opened it up in the first place, when their Japanese custom shop is world renowned. And don´t get me started on rebranding the ESP "Standard" Series to E-II, that is absolutely idiotic. ESP & Schecter are owned by the same guy, Hisatake Shibuya who founded ESP in the 70´s. He also owns his own luthier academy in Japan and the Musician´s Institute, music colleges in LA and Tokyo. ( that´s where Paul Gilbert used to teach.)
Jack/ peach guitars, please me out! This or ibanez prestige models? I don't have any neck preference as such. Which one is the better guitar feel wise?
If i buy a Gibson, i don´t want "T7" on the headstock, if i buy a Fender, i don´t want "P3" on the headstock and if i buy a ESP, i dont want "EII" on the headstock!!! wtf worst marketing decision ever.
I always get a bit disappointed by the sound of this 2200$ ESP guitars. As a 1300$ LTD KH-602 owner (with stock 81-85 EMG's) i can't really feel the difference between the Horizon and the model i own. Already tested it, ofc. I don't really feel the 1400-2200€ difference when the setup is pretty similar to Korean LTD's (at least, some of these models) in many cases the woods on ST guitars are literally the same in Korean LTD's and the ESP in the video. Exactly the same electronics (active EMG's come stock in LTD too). You can see an E-II with exactly the same equipped hardware (Active EMG's and Floyd Rose Original). I'm sure the craftmanship is way better. But it is worth more than 1000€? Looking foward to get another ESP, but i'm never sure at 100%.
I’m an esp dealer in the US and they’re making amazing product. Wonderful job guys.
I bought the last guitar you tested, the E-ii Horizon, in Dec. 2019 and absolutely fell in love with it. Like you, I too love the headstock. It looks very elegant. Fast neck and awesome sound.
I'm aware of ESP being built in the USA - Why? I have no idea other than a novelty or prestige thing and costing waaay too much. For me, if I want an authentic ESP - I want one built in Japan not the USA. Simply because that's where it's originated. It's like a Gibson or Fender - originated in the USA. ESP and Ibanez are Japanese guitars and their workmanship is unbelievable.
Ended up getting lucky last year with a mint 2019 ESP E-II Eclipse in blue natural fade for $1200! I wanna preface with the fact that I was terribly prejudicial towards EMG pickups, but picked up that guitar regardless simply because of its looks and the killer deal. Let me tell you first off, E-II quality is second to none. I don’t usually prefer single cut guitars, and I DEFINITELY don’t prefer glossy necks, but that guitar still manages to be my favorite and most played by a fair margin. ESP and E-II branding aside, if you’ve wanted to try EMGs but are also put off because of the “shredders only” stigma they seem to have generated over the years, find a guitar with the “splittable” 57TW/66TW set and just give them a try. They are genuinely very dynamic and beautiful sounding pickups and offer great tones that are usable for just about any music you may play. I don’t usually go this far just for a TH-cam comment, but if it can encourage even just one person to go out of their comfort zone and experience the same surprise and satisfaction that I did, then it’s worth it.
Just picked up a Horizon FR like on this video for $1299 mint at GC, was for sure for sure nicer than the PRS S2s and the Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro I originally came for.
How did u get it so cheap? I am looking at an eclipse as well.
I do not own an E-II guitar but I did have my personal guitar fitted with the 57/66TW. All it takes for them to achieve nice clean tones to crunch tones is by rolling back the tone and volume pots to 60 - 75%(this percentage is subjective though). One could also adjust his playing style to compensate. I don't really get why other people hate actives esp. if they had not tried some adjustments 🤣😁
That last guitar you played is the one I like , screams 80’s metal .
They all sound incredible!! Amazing playing and tone as always Jack
I bought the purple into blue horizon and it's now one of my favorite hard tails in my collection. And those EMG 66 57 combo are so good ...
Great video!☺ ESP take care and detail over there guitars always good quality!
I own one and its simply the best guitar for me and metal. Also I get alot of compliments because of the beautiful finish and the brand is unknown to most which is crazy to me
I bought the las guitar you showed. The best guitar I've ever owned.
Great playing! great demo! I had to watch twice. Thanks!
I was impressed with the clean tones of the Eclipse FT.
Wow. That 7-String tune you played is fantastic!
As an owner of a 2006 ESP Horizon - these instruments are a blast.
The ESP Horizon II FR with the passive S.Duncans is propably one of the greatest, modern Superstrat models out there. The playabillty is superb, with the neck-through construction & the coil-split makes it super versatile. You have 6 tone options (3 in full humbucker mode plus another 3 in split mode), plus the Pegasus/Sentient set is designed for maximum versatillity. Btw. the Pegasus has much less output then the oldschool JB and can get you everything from great cleans to classic rock to full-on metal tones.
It´s a shame they only offer it with the Duncans & ORF in this finish here and that blue-purple burst. In Japan, they also offer a version with a plain maple top in gloss black. (Andy Laroque from King Diamond´s band has one of these) and they also offer the Tiger´s Eye & Black Cherry burst only with active EMG´s.
Back in the day, when they had the old "Standard" Series, the Horizon II models came with both passive Duncans/active EMG´s and OFR/fixed bridge on all models, plus they had 4-5 different finish options to choose from.
Oh and there´s also the Horizon-I and Horizon-III models, the I is similar to the II but with a rails mini-humbucker in the neck and the III model has a bodyshape which is more offset and an elongated upper horn.
They're essentially ESP guitars just with E-II branding and I really wish they would just label them as ESP but oh well.
Hey SRH, thanks for watching, I think they wanted some distinction between the Japanese (E-II) models and the USA line, essentially raising the profile of the American built guitars. The E-II's though are every bit as good and as you can hear in the video, they sound mega!
@@PeachGuitars The E-II line is made in the same factory with the same employees as the ESP line, they actually used to be labeled ESP Standard series but ESP felt like that by labeling them with the ESP branding it took away from the actual ESP line cause they like to think of actual ESP being a custom shop and ESP standard took away from that. Kinda like why Gibson does Epiphone. They still make them to a high level, E-II, but it's more of a production line series. Now the USA custom shop is on another level so much so it's mind boggling. Back in 2012 I was saving up for an ESP standard and decided on another guitar altogether and now I wish I hadn't. Anyway great video and I'd love to see more high performance guitars on Peach guitars cause while I love my Gibson and Fender guitars I also love super strats!
Changing the name on the standard series was bad move. I have two eclipses From 2005 and 2009. The quality was better back then the current e-2 series.
@@jrtme How was it better? I´ve tried a bunch of E-IIs and spects are high quality the building flawless. I cant find anything wrong with them.
ESP´s marketing policy is, excuse my greek, absolutely ret*rded.
Why change the name of the ESP Standard Series into "E-II"?!
The Standard Series had a great reputation of beeing reasonable priced, high-performance guitars.
I´m paying ESP money, I want the ESP logo on the headstock, which ironically in on the fretboard inlay!
Also, why starting an american ESP "pseudo"-custom shop, where you have to pay over 5 grand for a guitar that you can´t even spec out the way you want?
I´ll rather spend that money on a proper, Made in Japan ESP custom shop, where they build you whatever you want and the guitar puts most Made in USA instruments to shame.
I picked up the ECII BB. It’s amazing. Perfect. Beautiful. The fret work is better than my Suhr.
The black and grey eclipse looks incredible
Well done, great playing as well.
I'm shopping for my first E-II and just salivating over my options.
Just got put a Granite Sparkle Eclipse on back order and I can’t wait
2042: E-II headstocks are worth a fortune due to their rarity, because the branding change was unpopular with players and was soon phased out.
With LTD's going over 1K now these EII are the best bet from the ESP line, so it wont be long before thy arent really affordable any longer knowing ESP
Beautiful guitars. I had to sell my E-II Mystique the other year. Definitely miss it. Hopefully in the future i'll be able to grab another E-II.
Stunning guitars
Does this guitar leave black dye on your hands. I have read mixed reviews across the web
There eclipse models play better than any Gibson lespaul I’ve ever played.
Dude I own both let’s not talk stupid. Les Pauls play incredible!
Have you noticed, among the Eclipse FT range (full thickness) a difference in neck profile thickness? Black natural feels thicker than thin U shape but nowhere near chunky, yet the tobacco sunburst seems to be actually 50s-style chunky, despite the same "thin U" profile. Thanks!
Really amazing guitars.
Jack Hetfield!
I have two ESP E-II Eclipse...1 with 81/60, the other 57/66. Both just awesome.... Stand up to my PRS Core Custom 22
Spoiled much? Lol!
Go feed a starving Ethiopian village !!
(Just Joking ! I'm a selfish Western Pig too !)
Thanks
I personally love the single cut with the silver burst considering the Gibson silver bursts are just getting stupid now!!
EDIT : Its not silver burst, natural black burst i guess!!
Yeah the full thickness. Only thing for me is I wish they would have left the headstock all black.
5:34 12:02 18:20
Is that Two Rock cab always mic'd without even being used.!!! John's VIP gravitas LOL!!
Love the sound of that Floyd equipped Horizon, but the headstock spoils it IMO.
Am I the only one that doesn’t give two s**ts about the EII branding? I think it looks dope I always knew these guitars were ESPs and that branding does not bother me at alllll. All I care about is how it plays!
Thank you for showing how much more versatile and pleasurable tones from the 7 string can be !!! So So tired of hearing "chugging " and that terrible sound it makes the low "B" sound like.... The chords you used with it sounded wonderful to hear, Thank again...
“E-II” on the headstock? Terrible marketing decision. I mean, it makes sense to differentiate the custom models from the production models but replacing the ESP logo with a daft name like E-II is not the way to do it. For a company that makes incredibly high quality instruments across the board, ESP has always been terrible at marketing and distribution.
These look awesome! First! 👍🏻
Please tell me those are stainless steel frets ?
No. Not on th eii line yet. If thats important to you, Music Man is the place
@AKAJACE1337
Unfortunately no, it is something curious because all the new LTD models for this 2021 do have stainless steel frets and several evertune bridge.
ESP makes strange decisions, first it changed its standard line to E-ll, removing ESP from the headstock, now it leaves its most economical line, the LTD with stainless steel frets.
While they makes absolutely no effort to make his E-ll line the most interesting, with improvements in combination of woods, or some upgrades, On the contrary they opts to leave the same product but more expensive at 2,000 USD.
With that it seems that they are not interested in customers buying that Japanese line of guitars, But all the customers buy better LTD.
It's a shame because the the reason I would have spent the extra is to have ESP written on the head for a flex . Now it just us e 2 I might aswell just save the money and get an ltd. Theyre still fantastic guitars
isn't the E-ii model the Japan one..and the ESP now are made in USA?
That's correct Vlad.
Nope, the proper ESP Custom Shop models ( ESP Originals) are still made in Japan.
E-II is the rebranded old ESP "Standard" Series, which are made in Japan production models.
There´s also Edwards, which is a made in Japan production line, that is a little cheaper than the E-II Series.
And then of course, we have ESP/LTD which is the import line, ranging from entry-level ( 200 Series) to pro-level models ( 1000 Deluxe Series ).
The ESP USA pseudo "custom shop" models are made by the USA Schecter custom shop, but they offer very limited customisation options, while being expensive af. For example: the Horizon II USA model comes only as a hardtail, while the proper Japan custom shop can build you one with whatever type of bridge you like. I have no idea, why they opened it up in the first place, when their Japanese custom shop is world renowned. And don´t get me started on rebranding the ESP "Standard" Series to E-II, that is absolutely idiotic.
ESP & Schecter are owned by the same guy, Hisatake Shibuya who founded ESP in the 70´s.
He also owns his own luthier academy in Japan and the Musician´s Institute, music colleges in LA and Tokyo. ( that´s where Paul Gilbert used to teach.)
Jack/ peach guitars, please me out! This or ibanez prestige models? I don't have any neck preference as such. Which one is the better guitar feel wise?
Esp original is like ibanez j custom
Esp - e2 is like ibanez prestige...
Cmiiw...
If i buy a Gibson, i don´t want "T7" on the headstock, if i buy a Fender, i don´t want "P3" on the headstock and if i buy a ESP, i dont want "EII" on the headstock!!! wtf worst marketing decision ever.
You forgot to mention they all have now stainless steel frets
Stainless frets are only in a few models not in all the E-II line.
Silverburst... must be a coincidence Xd
These one's didn't get lifted from the back of a Gibson lorry headed for Sweetwater........promise.
@@PeachGuitars Lol Hahaha
Another Ibanez company
The
I always get a bit disappointed by the sound of this 2200$ ESP guitars. As a 1300$ LTD KH-602 owner (with stock 81-85 EMG's) i can't really feel the difference between the Horizon and the model i own. Already tested it, ofc. I don't really feel the 1400-2200€ difference when the setup is pretty similar to Korean LTD's (at least, some of these models) in many cases the woods on ST guitars are literally the same in Korean LTD's and the ESP in the video. Exactly the same electronics (active EMG's come stock in LTD too). You can see an E-II with exactly the same equipped hardware (Active EMG's and Floyd Rose Original). I'm sure the craftmanship is way better. But it is worth more than 1000€? Looking foward to get another ESP, but i'm never sure at 100%.
My Everplay guitar is better :]