ESP Eclipse Semi-Acoustic

This guitar features a bolt-on neck with sculpted heel, semi-hollow Les Paul-style body with a tummy cut and one curving triangular sound hole on the left side of the top, flame maple veneer top, mahogany back, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, pearl dot inlays w/"ESP" block pearl inlay at 12th fret, chrome Gotoh tuners (3 to a side), black plastic knobs (1 volume, 1 tone with a detent), acoustic style bridge, white binding on headstock and body, 22 extra jumbo frets, piezo-electric pickup (underneath acoustic-style bridge) with active EQ (9-volt battery). Strings (this model is steel, but a nylon model was also made) mount through the bottom of the bridge but do not pass through the body. An ESP endorser, Kirk Hammett used/uses one of these on stage with Metallica.

Like all thinline acoustic-electric hybrids, unplugged, this sounds fairly bright, somewhat soft, and downright thin--but not as thin as, say, a Stratacoustic. The resonance is enough to get a good campfire thing goin', or to work out ideas on the couch without lugging around a full-sized acoustic. However, it's clearly built as a stage/studio amplified acoustic with the style and convenience/size/playability of an electric. It holds its own in that regard and the on-board EQ is nice for sculpting the sound.

The flame maple top (and matching headstock) is gorgeous--well patterned and a rich, even dye job that brings out the figure in the wood. The tummy cut eases the "rib jab" that usually accompanies a Paul shape, and the guitar is extremely light (roughly five pounds). The tuners are flawless and the C-shape neck is smooth/fast. Strung with acoustic 010s (extra light gauge), it needs no additional setup and feels pleasantly like an electric--which is, of course, the point with this design. My only disappointments were the cheesy black plastic knobs (instantly and easily replaced with aftermarket chrome knobs, to match the tuners) and the one-piece saddle seperates from the bridge during string changes. At least one of mine does. Also, the 9-volt compartment is extraordinarily hard to access; I inevitably have to use a screwdriver or letter opener to pop the thing open, and I risk putting a (second!) gouge in the body every time I do that. But visually, the guitar is a stunner, thanks to the classic shape and flamed maple top--all the more striking since there are no visible pickups, so you see even more of the grain than you would on a traditional electric.

The lightness makes it this guitar feel like it's not substantial, but it's well-made and surprisingly balanced. The strap buttons are nothing special and I've outfitted mine with Schaller straplocks, to match the rest of my gear. I wouldn't mind using it on a gig without a backup but I'd want to make sure I had a fresh 9-volt in there before every gig, because there's no way I could open that darned battery compartment to change it between songs.

Have not had the need yet. The guitar was discontinued from ESP's line when I bought it so I doubt I would get far; I haven't even found out when the Semi-Acoustic was manufactured let alone how to acquire replacement parts.

I own two of these--one in blue and one in green (red also exists, as does at least one other color). I liked the first one so much (which I got on impulse about 18 months ago, partly because of its pretty color and partly because of its convenience/ease of play--and yes, I even liked the tinny tone) and have become so attached to its comfort and ease of use in recording that I wanted a backup in case anything bad happened. I still have nine of other guitars, including three different flavors of traditional acoustic (6, 12, and nylon), but this has quickly become by "main" acoustic guitar. It's great for home recording (go Pod go!) but it's also an excellent small-bodied acoustic to carry around the house and just strum while watching TV. I'd certainly use it on stage if I had the opportunity, for both sound and looks. ESP no longer makes the Semi-Acoustic; I believe that this guitar originally listed for $1400 and retailed for $800, so if you can get one for a decent price (I was fortunate not once but twice), do so! I am happy to answer questions about this guitar in e-mail.