ESP Custom Strat

Made in Japan custom shop probably mid or late 90's. Typical strat looks with 1 Seymour Duncan bridge pickup and 2 single sized ESP stamped blade humbuckers, 5 way selector switch, 3 control knobs, 3-ply scratch plate. Bolt on neck construction. Headstock is also typical Fender, not the usual ESP headstock. It looks like ESP Custom Vintage Plus models (like 400) but apart from the ESP logo, guitar is completely identical to vintage Fender strats. I thought there should be differences between this and a Fender because of the copyright issues but I really cannot find any difference between my Fender USA strats and this one.. Even tremolo units look identical. But on the other hand this is a custom shop guitar so probably who ordered this sticked to the Fender vision on his head..

Maple neck looks unfinished with lots of grain, actually finished with a very tiny amount of lacquer, it doesn't look shiny, this really gives a perfect vintage look to the neck. Maple body is glossy in candy red and looks gorgeous, only small scrathes, they don't interfere with the playability or with the overall looks. 22 frets with dot inlays and there is no standard ESP inlay at 12th fret which really I like. Truss-rod socket is at the headstock.

Bought it used in Japan and the shop did not have the original case or the paperwork because they said there was none. There is no serial number but again this is normal because it is custom shop. But I am pretty sure that guitar is not a market guitar, it is a real custom shop instrument, you feel this first minute when you start to play. I am glad that I bought because it is one of the best guitars that I ever owned.

Seymour Duncan SHR-1 in the bridge is very powerful with hum cancelling and the output is about a good 17k. Other single sized ESP blade humbuckers are very good too. They are not noisy. Guitar is very silent without any unwanted background garbage and all pickups sound really good and clean. Sound is powerful.

Neck pickup is at 12k, a little high for the neck position but I have lowered it a little so it is fine now.

Although I bought this used, it is still in good condition and there is still plenty of life on it. It is an expensive instrument so previous owner took good care of the guitar. There are some tiny scratches on the body but they are OK. Overall cosmetic condition is very good.

Red body is finished beautifully and everything's very well fitted.Pickguard, pickups, knobs, bridge, jack socket they all look fine and properly done.

Action is actually much lower than my Fender's which I found quite amazing. Frets are very good quality and fitted beautifully to the neck. Smooth action and very comfortable neck as all custom shop guitars should have. Excellent playability.

I play this guitar in my studio, there is no way I take this to a gig because I usually play in clubs and bars and there is always a good possibility that someone may spill something on it (I lost two very good guitars before because of fucking boozers). I am using this guitar for recording purposes only. I already finished 2 songs with this one and it sounds brilliant either for direct or mic. recording.

Body looks very solid and the finish looks like it will last at least for another 20 years. Hardware quality is top notch.

Never dealt with them before and I am not sure if I will need any customer support for any of my guitars. I usually do everything myself.

I play everything I like. World music, jazz, rock, blues and even metal sometimes, like Dream Theater or Queensrhyce. But I am mainly into rock or similar music. Apart from this ESP, I have one 1972 original USA Fender telecaster Deluxe which costed me a little fortune, a 1981 USA Fender Bullet Deluxe which a mix of tele/strat, 1999 USA Fender Deluxe Strotocaster and a 2003 USA Fender Dick Dale strat with reverse headstock. My main amp is a Fender Cyber Twin (2X65W) and for practice I use an Ampeg Diamond Blue (15W). I also use Behringer V-AMP Pro rack as my main effects unit.

This is probably a one off guitar and it is a very special instrument for me. There is no way in this world I sell this. This is a keeper and the most valuable piece of my collection; maybe not expensive as my Fender 72 vintage tele but the playability and the overall feel is priceless. If anyone has one of these excellent guitars I would really want to see some pictures and get more information. You can email me.

Guitar has a very vintage feel and it is very comfortable. Once I played an all original 1962 Fender strat and this ESP has the similar feel and warmness.

I bought this guitar for about 140000 Yens (around 1250-1300$) in 2005. I was planning to buy a modern style static bridge Horizon, I went to the shop and I saw this. After I tried several ESP's I fell in love with this one. I am really glad that I did not buy a standard Horizon.

This looks like a standard Fender but there is no way you can compare this with a Fender, especially Fender's built after 2002. It is quite strange that whatever music I play, I always end up playing this ESP.

You may say 1300$ is too much for an old ESP like this but I can assure you this is a very special guitar. After nearly 2 years, I still think this purchase is one of my best deals and it is a fantastic value for a guitar like this.

I bought this from an auction in London (not online, real auction).
My father is also a guitarist and he recommended me to buy this and I bought it. It was one of the best decisions that I've ever made.

My ESP custom strat is made in 70's. It is completely hand made in Japan. Body color is some kind of grayish reddish color which changes to some kind of purple in dark. Absolutely stunning satin finish. Body is mohagany.

There are 3 single pickups. It came with the usual stratocaster setup like 1 volume, 2 tune buttons, 5 switch, scratchplate and backplate (all white).

I can easily say neck is the best part of the guitar. 22 jumbo frets clear maple neck 2 pieces both maple. I like the neck as it is not rosewood, I hate them. This has a maple-maple 2 piece neck. Perfect.

I like all kinds of heavy metal where you can find strong guitar tones. I like to play hard and direct music and my favourite bands are Metallica, Megadeth, Carcass and Down. Although it looks like an old stratocaster, this guitar sounds amazingly strong. I am recording with a 60W standart Watson Amp using Zoom 1010. Sound is fucking amazing and heavy as a rock. I have a Kelly KE3 and an Epiphone Flying V, but this is much better than both of them.. together. There is no brand on pickups but whatever they are, they rule. Very rich sound. Before this one I wasn't able to use feedback tricks properly. The sustain goes forever.

This one is not a factory guitar, everything is done by hand. Action is one of the best I have ever seen. It didn't come with a proper action but after 2 hours of adjustment it was perfect for me.

It is from the end of 1970s, still looks good. There are some fret wears on the maple neck but it is OK. Red colored body looks like a Fender strat. Actually the whole guitar is just like a Fender strat. But I tried some American strats and none of them sounds like this. Quality of the wood especially neck is outstanding.

I am using this ESP constantly since I purchased it in 2004. It doesn't have locking nuts on the neck but you really don't need them with this one. It is stable and never out of tune. I bought my Jackson KE3 4 years ago, that shit never stays in tune for 1 hour! Shame!

Headstock logo was a little bit different from the usual ESP logo, it was bigger and bolder and there were no other markings on the guitar, no serial numbers, nothing (except the neckplate which says ESP). So I have emailed ESP before I bought this with the pictures and they told me it is a very rare custom model from the end of 70s or beginning of 80's. They replied in 2 days. Nice work. Also the guy told me I was so lucky to find one of these and I should keep it. Friendly people.

I have been playing since 1996. I've tried maybe 100 guitars including American, Japanese, Korean, some really shit Chinese ones as well as some excellent Russian, Turkish and Italian ones. I generally like USA guitars. But this ESP is something very special which I found by pure chance. It is different from any guitar I have ever played. If it was stolen I don't think I would find the same one anywhere, because it is very rare. But I would definitely buy it again.

- 1992 or 1993 made in Japan
- Satin bluish shiny finish (Solid top)
- Standart stratocaster body with 3 very good single pickups
- 3ply scratchplate with 11 old-style roundhead screws
- Standart straocaster style bridge with 6 saddles
- 5-way selector switch with 3 buttons (volume, tone, tone)
- 22 fret black dotted maple neck with a very good natural smooth finish (Fat scale with Jumbo frets)

Guitar definitely looks and feels like 70s USA stratocasters but it is not.

I mostly play hard rock, rock or progressive rock. I have a standart USA Fender and an Ibanez Jem 7DBK custom; unfortunately none of them is close to this custom ESP in sound. Three single coils as in a usual stratocaster setup and they sound fantastic, I usually go up to 9-10 on volume with a standart Boss D-10 on my Marshall V100 (very basic setup but it works!), there is absolutely no humming/background garbage at all (everybody knows that even in a brilliant amp with a good solid USA Fender strat on it, you can hear a background noise when you go up to 10). Although there is no name written on the pickups, I am pretty sure that they are Seymour Duncans (there are little dotted S logos on the cover plastics of pickups, that's it). Neck pickup gives a great smooth and deep tone, as if it is a Fender telecaster. Bridge pick up has a great bright tone, particularly good for Marty Friedman type solos. I can easily say that there is nothing that I don't like about the sound of this guitar! If you like Friedman, John Petrucci or even Joe Satriani that is a perfect pickup combination!

First of all, I am not sure if this is a factory guitar. It looks like a hand made to me (probably it is, because it says "Custom Guitar - Made in Japan" on the back of the headstock - inside a circle ESP logo) or maybe not. All I know is it is very properly fitted and finished in a different blue color (like turquaz) and it is outstanding! It looks like a standart Fender, but I think it looks much much better than the most famous 3-colors sunburst strat color. It simply shines under the stage lights. Before I buy a guitar, I always check the pickup adjustments and the bridge route, my ESP custom was really properly fitted and still it is after nearly 2 years.

I should also mention the action here because that is one of the main reasons I bought this beauty; the action is very low like only 1-1.5 mm and although it is more than 10 years old the fit between neck, frets and strings is simply perfect. I would definitely recommend this one for a smooth easy soloing. Maple fretboard simply plays for itself :)

There may be exceptions on other models but my custom ESP strat is totally flawless.. I would really like to see some pearl inlays on the neck instead of standart black dots but I really don't care anymore as it is my favourite guitar of all times right now..

Totally rock solid guitar. I gigged at least 14-15 times during the past 2 years with this one and it was always durable/stable. This is one of the 2 most stable stratocaster type guitars that I've ever used at stage (other one is my standart Fender). (One of the strap buttons were loose after one 2-hours show 'though, if you call this a big problem). I was usually using guitars with locking nuts until I bought this one and my Fender.

Never talked to them. I bought this used and it is probably from 92-93 so I am not sure if they can help me if something comes up. But I don't think I will need any help for this one; it is just like a beautiful stone, in the shape of a guitar. I believe it will go without problems for at least another 3-5 years (maybe?). Also I can take care of the little problems..

I started to play in 1989 and I believe I am a good player (at least that's what they say!). In the past 13,5 years, I have used and purchased more than 10 Ibanez models (including a PGM30WHM and a JS1000), 2 Fenders (A standart strat and a reissue tele) and countless Washburns and Dean guitars.. They came and went and only 3 guitars left : an Ibanez Jem 7DBK, a 2002 USA Fender 3-colors sunburst and this ESP custom stratocaster. I really don't want to loose this guitar in any case, as I am planning to keep it 'till the end of my life :-)

The main reason that I love guitar is the perfect combination of playability, material quality and the sound. I am not sure what would a guitarist want more. I am a big fan of American guitars (especially Fenders and Washburns) and I like Japanese Ibanez RGs and JEM series. I have never cared about other guitars in my life until I saw this one. That is simply one of the best guitars that I've ever played. That is simply it.

Made in 86 or 87 for Michael Wilton of Queensryche, I was fortunate enough to pick it up from www.dannysguitars.com
it's a typical stratocaster body, made of american ashwood, with the "custom" graffiti paintjob. The guitar came with a seymour duncan 59 in the bridge position, an evans single coil in the middle, and a dimarzio rails single sized humbucker in the neck. Since been customised to a full size 59 trembucker in the neck.
22 jumbo frets, original floyd rose trem, maple fretboard with ivory binding on the fretboard.
5 way switch, volume and two tone controls.....

I play dark progressive metal, and it's got a perfect sound for it.
Nice heavy rythm sound, very responsive, very crystal clean sounds with the single coil combined with either humbucker, and a very Dave Murray type tone on the neck pickup.
I use a marshall 8008 valvestate power amp into a trace elliot 4x12 quaddie, running a POD for effects. The sound is pretty full, not too bright, and very warm.....

got the guitar in great condition. Was set up nice and low, though one strange thing was that the neck was set at an angle to the strings, not canted away from the body, but angled to allow more fretboard room for the higher strings past the 12th fret, and less rooms for the low e string. The bridge was a little corroded, but as the guitar was 9 years old when I got it and had seen a lot of use, this was acceptable.

This guitar plays beautifully live, but it is a very physically heavy guitar, so I prefer using a lighter guitar for live, but as far as recording goes, this is the one.
I have used it without a backup several times, but now I tend not to go without a backup, ever....

been playing for around 13 years now, and this is the nicest guitar I've ever played.... lucky for me. If this guitar were stolen or lost, I would do my best to retreive it.... as it is a one of a kind. Don't think it could ever be replaced though, being a "celebrity" guitar. I just love the feel of it.... to me it came with a certain karma, from having been used by one of my favorite guitarists for nearly 10 years, it is just easy to play.