ESP Eclipse II

THIS IS A REVIEW FOR THE EUROPEAN MODEL (4 knobs)

COLOR : Dark Brown Sunburst
BODY : Mahogany with White Binding / Quilted Maple Top
NECK : Mahogany with White Binding
FINGER BOARD : Rosewood
CONSTRUCTION : Set-neck
SCALE : 24.75"
TUNERS : Sperzel Locking Tuner
BRIDGE : Tune-matic
HARDWARE COLOR : Chrome
FRET : 22 / XJ
NECK PICKUP : EMG81
FRONT PICKUP : EMG81
CONTOROL : 2 Volume , 2 Tone, 3way toggle switch

As you can see, theres a lot of good hardware used in this guitar. It's not the top end, but it's fair for this price.

First of all, I'm playing a lot off styles, except pop, country, trash/death and sorts of that.
At the moment, I'm improving my blues skills. I've searched a guitar that delivers a good rock tone; more the rougher, warmer tone which can be overdrived easily from my H&K tube amp. So to the guitar: Starting with the best one, the neck humbucker is useable for the discribed tone. It's not perfect for it, because it isn't very balanced, I've missed some mids. I've expected this tone more from the bridge pickup. In the middle position, the sound goes more into the treble area. Now it's more balanced, but it doesn't represent the character of the wood the guitar's made off. Considering this, the pickups don't bring out the warmth and the balanced tone of mahagony. Ending with the worst, the bridge pickup is horrible. If you use it with high gain, you get a screaming, trebly tone, if you use it clean, there is some feeling of an "old radio" sound, missing all bass frequences. As I mentioned it, the choice of the pickups was made really bad, because they don't fit to this guitar. Perhaps an 85 in the bridge and an 60A in the neck would do this guitar justice.

The set-up wasn't bad, but the low E and A strings were humming a bit. Nothing that couldn't be fixed with a screwdriver.
Now to the finish: My first impression os this guitar was astonishing. The look is really beautiful and elegant. Because of the 24,75" length, it can be handled very easy, but it narrows a bit the playability in the high frets (there going to be very small!). I've normal to small hands, the neck feels good and "full" (you know what you got).
The bad news: After playing and inspecting the quality, I've discovered that the neck is made poorly. The ESP sign in the 12th fret is already falling out the neck, so you can see the wood behind it! The flags are cut off bad, so there is some space between the flag inlay and the wood, which is filled with glue. Frets are all oxidated (I've purchased it new!). Around the frets, you can see that they used too much glue, because the wood is shine and dark in this areas. All 4 knobs are really poor; they toddle when you turn them and they are made very unsymmetric.
All in all, it's a joke for this money.

Can't judge, because I've used it only 1 hour.

After being shocked about the guitar, I've mailed ESP. They answered 1 day later and said, that I should send the guitar to them (Japan) via UPS, though they know that I'm from Germany!

Worse quality than my 300 Euro, four year old Yamaha Pacifica 312II. Unuseful soundspectrum. I'm playing guitar for 14 years now, and I'm really disappointed from ESP and this guitar. I sent it the shop (Thomann). What a hunk of Junk (sorry for this hard words, but you get what you give).

Made in Japan, 2005/6.
Has 22 frets.. excelent access and finish.
A BEUTIFUL quilted maple top
Has 2 EMG's 81 (active) HH, seperate volume/tone for both.
Mahogany Neck and body.
Has the see-thru black cherry finish
It's a Les Paul shape (other than the shape I think it's more like an SG, thinner body etc.)
Has a Stop tailpiece
Sperzel USA tuners
A thin neck (not ibanez thin though) with extra jumbo frets.
Came with a case

It fitsh almost all styles of course specially metal
I'm running it through a mesa/boogie triple rectifier
not noisy at all

the action was quite low and buzzed alot but that wasn't hard to fix
the pickups were adjusted fine
now flaws at all every little detail was perfect

i think it will hold up well playing live
the hardware looks very promising
the finish i PERFECT
strap buttons were fine but i switched them out for strap locks
i would never gig without a backup

never dealt with them

I have been playing about 20 years
If it were stolen i would defenetly cry, but still try something new
I love everything

This is a 2005 ESP Eclipse in Vintage Black (with aged binding) matte black finish (looks great) made in Japan. Solid Mahogany / Ebony Fretboard (highly polished ebony)Locking Sperzels, very vintage looking. EMG 81/60 active combo-- Gotoh bridge....very fine hardware! all the best! Standard Les Paul shape with a very nice curved back(like it was made to fit me) I had to puchase a hardshell at the time of ordering so they could ship it to me in one. Came with the warranty card and truss rod tool.

I play a hard-rock/metal style (raunchy,30 sec. to mars ..etc...)I play the ESP with a Mesa 3ch Triple Recto. and 4x12 Recto Cab. -->BBE sonic max. -->ISP rackmount decimator-->various floor effects. This is a well made guitar for the price.....the sound coming from this thing is top notch -- up to speed with my 04'Les Paul Custom/custom shop(emg's also) This guitar can growl! very nice clean sounds on the EMG 60 neck p/u very good variety. I have really no dislikes with this guitar, all around a very quality buy

This is where ESP shines, 100% on the fit and finish...right on track with Gibson Custom and PRS---really I own/have owned both brands high end models and ESP is right on thier heels. No flaws from the factory...I am very very concerned with quality ...ESP meets my person high demands. Set-up once again was top notch.

This may sound strange but after playing my Les Paul Custom this ESP feels like a plastic guitar! I will throw some strap locks on and it should be a real player. Very dependable so far.

I ordered this piece in Jan. 05 and recieved it in Nov.05 I lowered the rating because it takes 11 months to get one!

THis is a bang for the buck all the way...try out ESP ...they are top notch.

Made in Japan 2004.
Mahogany body beautiful maple quilt.
Mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets.
Set-thru construction
EMG 81's (Active) toggle switch w/3 positions.
2 volume 2 tone controls.
Sperzel locking tuners, Gotoh tune-o-matic bridge w/stop tailpiece.
All chrome hardware.
White bindings.
Amber cherry sunburst.

The guitar came with a case, but I managed to wheel and deal my way up to a nice flight case. I like everything on the guitar, it suits my needs and approach to playing perfectly.

This is my second ESP product, My first was a ESP Maverick. Ive also owned a fender telecaster, and a Fender 70's reissue (fat-strat), Ibanez RG440, Washburn. I have also played a plethora of different guitars over my 21 years of playing.

This is the first guitar ive ever owned, that has complied with every tone attempt ive tried. Even some of the vintage tones I hate, I now enjoy using due to the Eclipse making everything sing. I play heavier music normaly and this is where the guitar shines. Lows, mids Highs, this guitar wont argue, it will deliver.

I have played the guitar through several amps. I have used the Line 6 Vetta (upgraded), Line 6 HD 147, JCM2000 TSL100 w/1960Cab, and 3 different Mesa rectifiers. I have chosen the Mesa Triple Rec as the platform for this guitar, Tone perfection. (Just educate yourself on the Mesa specs, its not as easy as turning on the power)

The guitar was near perfect when I bought it, the only blemish was 1 of the volume controls was set slightly higher than the other 3 dails, It was very minor, but it was raised, other than that, this is one of those guitars you can open the case of, and just watch for a while before playing.

Action is flawless (for my style) smooth and low, just avoiding any unwanted buzzing.

This guitar is begging to be played live, I havnt used it live yet, but I have no reservations. My friend owns the same guitar in cherry-black and plays in 2 bands, and live weekly, he tells me it is a work horse. The craftmanship is excellent, everything appears solid and tight. ESP quality!!

I have never delt with ESP, however the dealer I bought it from does most basic repairs from their store here in my city. I have a limited lifetime warranty from ESP, and a full 1 year warranty from the dealer where I purchased it. I feel secure enough that both the dealer and ESP have stood behind this guitar.

Once im clear of amp payments and I have all my gear up to speed, I will be shopping for another ESP, no questions. I am already looking at the vintage honeyburst with seymours. I would buy it again if it where stolen, after I mourned.

2005, Japan
22
Solid-Top
2 volume, 2 tones
60 emg & 81 emg
Active
Mahogany neck w/ ebony fret board
vintage black
Tune-O-Matic
Sperzel, & custom hipshot
Jumbo Frets
Case
Kick A** Guitars

R-Tillery, Bent

Heavy rock and guitar cuts through like a razor.
Pre amp langer, power amp mesaboogie, kick f*** a** Basson Cabs
Not noisy very clean. All settings
Rich/Full sound
It can make all the sounds due to the emg pickups
No such thing only luv luv baby

Perfect
Perfect
Perfect, no routed bridge
no flaws

Every night
Longer than me
It seems like it will last
yes
yes
I never go anywhere without a backup, but if I had to yes.

They are cool
no problems
1 year warranty?

A long time. I have 14 ESP's, Basson cabs, all guitars have Emg pickups and Dean Markley stings, Peterson Strobe Tuners, and Hipshots.
No
I would buy it again too replace it.
I luv everything about it and hate nothing about it. I luv the way ESP's sound.
No guitars come close to ESP!
Yea, a built in bar.
And a margarita mixer.

Its a 2005 Black Cherry ESP Eclipse II dual EMG 81s ,mahoghany neck , sprezel tuners , black hardware , 22 frets
see the ESP website for all the specs
Absolutely a stunning guitar , and as good as it looks its sounds great

ESP delivers the goods the 81s crank , I was thinking about putting a 85 in the neck , I may , but then again I may not ,
The guitar sounds great as it is . I play a hard edged blues rock style, everything from cream era Clapton to Schenker. This guitar handles it all quite nicely .
Most of my other guitars are Gibsons , ( see my other reviews) . Les Paul Custom , classic , standard , Slash , and a Zakk custom. Now Im not going to tell you this guitar is better than a 3k Zakk Wylde , but it is a great sounding axe for alot less and you can gig this , you are not gigging a 3k Les Paul unless you are Zakk Wylde or plain crazy lol . Seriously this axe is awsum , its great in clean mode as well , I like EMGs so these are great for me .

excellent set up , finish is great , real small neck for fast rifferage. ESP was right on with this guitar .Im happy

Its a ESP , good enuff for Metallica and alot of other pros certaintly good enuff for me . Yeah you can gig this , Its made to play and play live. As I stated before I have alot of 2k Les pauls , that unless I was playing a huge Venue and I had my own security watching my shit like a hawk , Im not bringing alot of them out. but I would gig with my my LTD DV8r ,which is a sick as in awsum guitar (see review )or this one , They play great they sound great , while not cheap they if heaven forbid something happened to them ,damaged or stolen Id be upset but wouldn't slit my wrists ,Whereas if my Slash Les Paul custom shop guitar was destroyed or stolen ,Id be freaking.
So yes in short this is a gigging guitar.
back Up always.

Never dealt with them , I use my local dealer Angelo Gallo as my main tech , So im hooked up on that end

Ive been playing since I was 14 , Im 46 now .I have besides this guitar ,
Les Paul classic , custom , standard ,zakk wylde and slash custom shop les pauls , ESP KH2 JH3, LTD DV8r . Koch Powertone II
Actually I was looking at the LTD EC1000 deluxe which BTW is a excellent guitar , Angelo Gallo offered me the Eclipse for just a tad over the LTD. I said ESP , LTD , ESP , LTD , after demoing them both , as much as I like the LTD, the ESP is just a better guitar , So home came the Eclipse, Im happy

Made In 2004, Beautiful Laminated Maple Quilt Top Highly Figured,
two master volume and tone knobs plus a 3 way selector switch, dual EMG active humbuckers 81/81 config., Mahogany body back and neck, rosewood fretboard, quilted maple top, beautiful high gloss like glass finish, Les Paul Style guitar, tune o matic bridge, Sperzel locking tuners wide, medium depth neck scale.

A ton of great materials and features for what you pay and the highest quality to boot!

I play in two rock cover bands, one that does the current stuff you hear today and the other that does a combination of this style and the 80's and 90's. This guitar is my main workhorse because it does everything as well as anything I have ever tried. Th pickups produce no hum or noise when not playing at all and are quiet as a churchmouse. The other plus with the EMG's is that they react to your picking in a variety of ways. If you hit the stings hard you get all the chunk and grind but you pick easy and you hear great dynamics with regards to your picking. Very articulate pickups with alot of dynamics. Once I got this axe with EMG's I never looked back at passives again. It sounds just like the Gibson Zakk Wylde Les Paul without the pricetag and that says alot!
My amp rig I run it through is a rack system with a Line 6 POD XT PRO with model pack upgrades, Sennheiser G2 Evolution Wireless, Furman Series II Power Conditioner, BBE 862i Sonic Maximizer, VHT Valvulator I, to a Mesa Boogie Stereo Rectifier Two One Hundred Power Amp and out to four Genz Benz G Flex 2/12 Cabinets run by the Line 6 FBV Shortboard (in other words it's a high end quality pro rig suited to my needs)

IMPORTANT; The 81 in the bridge is a great high gain pickup, however I needed to clean up the neck pickup and therefore switched it for the EMG 85. Much better for me tonally!

The axe came setup with 10-46 strings and that's what I use. This baby had low action to die for and needed no adjustments whatsoever. Everything looked and felt superb.

Built like a tank! I can depend on it. In fact, I ordered a backup right away which tells you something! I had to put Dunlop Strap Locks on it. I have several backup axes.

Never dealt with them!

I am 35 years old and have been playing since I was 6 years old (29 years for all you mathemeticians out there). In addition to this guitar and its twin backup I ordered, I own a brand new 2004 Ernie Ball Music Man Axis Custom Made With Premium Quilt Top that I waited almost 9 months for and paid almost $3,000.00 for, an Ibanez SZ 520 with PRS Mark Tremonti pickups and PRS Locking Tuners, an old Ibanez Pro Line with EMG's that I refurbed myself, and a 1987 Kramer Baretta that I painted to look like Eddie Van Halen's old 5150 striped axe.

The Eclipse II Standars have become my main guitars. This is the first time I am an ESP owner and i have nec=ver looked back since because these guitars really do deliver the goods in spades!

That expensive Axis Custom Made has sat in its case since day two that I owned it. I forgot what it even looks like and I am not kidding! I sometimes toy with the Ibanez guitars I have but that is rare in itself and the Kramer is sort of a museum conversation piece of sorts!

If it were lost or stolen I would buy another one tomorrow without question. Not the LTD models but these genuine ESP Standard models (there is a BIG difference)! I love everything about it. The neck is to die for and it looks and feels fantastic! The folks at ESP really put their heads together with this one. The attention to the smallest detail has not been overlooked. I mean they even put genuine Sperzels on there.

In all honesty I was ready to lay it all down on a Les Paul. The thing is, I needed a WORKING MAN'S GUITAR NOT A MUSEUM PIECE I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT. If you want something you have to retune constantly, change components on to make it your own and or worry about every little nick or scratch cause it might lose its value then go buy a Les Paul.

BUT, if you want something that feels great, looks great, plays and sounds fantasic and sounds just like the Zakk Wylde Les Paul you really owe it to yourself to hunt down an ESP Eclipse II Standard like I have done. I tried the higher end Custom but it couldn't hold a candle to the Standard.

2004 Eclipse II - Parts From Japan Assembled In USA
22 Jumbo Frets
Awesome Birdseye Maple Quilted Top with Creme Binding
2 Volume 2 Tone Like Les Paul
H/H Middle Position Is Like 2 Single Coil Pickups
EMG 81 Active Neck & Bridge
Mahogany Body & Mahogany Set Neck
Transparent Black Cherry Finish Quilted Top
Single Cut Les Paul Style
Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Sperzel Locking Tuners All Black Hardware
Slim Taper Set Neck
For $1330 A Case Should Be Included

I Love Metal and Hard and Heavy Rock and the EMG 81 Active pickups do not disapoint. I use a Marshall Dsl 401 which works awesome with the Active EMG 81's. Even Cranked the guitar is vey quiet. The sound Is super heavy and the Mahogany body delivers tons of sustain. In fact I'm sure my neighbors know what my musical preference is. No one has had the nuts to complain yet, Hell maybee they like it! This Guitar blew me away the momment I picked it up. It has no flays as far as I'm concerened.

The action came set up low with no buz at all and in perfect tune. I usally like to play a few guitars before I buy, and was a little worried about a sight un-seen mail order purchase. It came packed in three boxes super securely. When I peeled back the protective wrap I fell in love with its stunning beauty and it felt perfect right out of the box. Craftsmanship compares with a PRS and is better than the Gibson Les Paul Classic and Standard models I have owened. A Gibson or PRS with a top like this would be well over $2000

It feels very Solid yet lighter than a Les Paul. I think the body is about 1/8th of an inch thinner than an Les Paul but gives up no sustain. The Hardware is Top Quality. I have not had it that long but it feels like it will stand up to some live abuse and stays in tune really well. I added schaller locking strap buttons. It feels very dependable although I would keep a backup for any guitar.

Limited lifetime warranty to the original owner only. No need to use any support yet. I hear ESP Is pretty good to deal with.

Jamming with friends for about 2 years
Absolutely would buy again
I love The sound, playability, feel, and it looks so sweet
I hate nothing about this guitar
I love the low action and the solid feel
I checked out the EC 1000 bit bthis is much better in my opinion
I would like to check one out with a Floyd Rose Trem and Seymour Duncan JB's

ESP Standard Series Eclipse II

Made in Japan, finished at the USA Custom shop i believe. Les paul shape.
22XJ Frets.
Premium Quilted Maple top
Les paul control setup (2volumes, 2tones, 3-way toggle)
EMG 81 Active Set
MAhogany body and Mahogany Set neck
See Through Black Cherry finish on Quilted maple top is absolutely stunning.
Tuno-o-matic bridge by Tonepros
Locking Sperzel Tuners
Thin U neck 24.74 inch scale
Hard Case included

This guitar has some of the best features ive ever seen on a guitar in this price range. Tonepros bridge and Sperzel Locking tuners are a real bonus for this guitar. I play mostly thrash/heavy metal like Metallica, so the guitar fits me perfectly, especially with the Active EMG's. I wanna give the guitar a 10, but i cant get the tension high enough, even in standard tuning with 10's fitted, i cant whip out riffs like battery without my pick getting caught, unlike on my JEM7DBK.

My playing style is thrash/heavy metal from the 70's to the 90's (not nu metal.). This guitar suits the style absolutely perfectly. If you have ever heard Kirk HAmmett from metallica, this guitar sounds like his, but warmer, and more defined, due to the all-Mahogany construction. Although Mahogany is a very deep and warm wood, the Quilted Maple top brings out a really nice crispness and brightness in the guitar. Im running this through a Triaxis preamp to a marshall EL34 50/50 Poweramp, and also through a pod to a Valvestate combo sometimes. The tone pots on this guitar, along with the pickups, make a huge difference in your sounds, the bridge pickup crunches like no other, and pinch harmonics are a breeze. With the neck pickup on, and the tone down low, you can get the perfect Gary Moore tone, yet still defined and crisp, not muddy. The guitar isnt meant for clean work, but you can get some nice tones with the neck pickup. I really recommend using the pickup selector in the middle, and the neck tone set a little lower than usual, and the bridge on full for some demonic sounds ala Enter Sandman. Absolutely perfect tone, not too muddy not too bright, but can go both ways using the controls.

The action was set up impeccably, the American custom shop finishes setting up the guitar once its shipped from japan, and it was stunning, although i used to like my action a tad lower, when i played this guitar, i fell in love with the feel of it. The guitar arrived with a slightly underpowered battery, and when i replaced it, the guitar immediately sprang to life, but other than that, everything was perfect. I cant believe how many times ive said perfect already, but it is. One other thing, was that the nut didn't like my would G string and it popped out a few times, but i filed it a tiny bit, and everything was fine. Still a 10 though.

I have no doubt that this guitar will withstand live playing, even on its own. No matter how hard i tried, i could break a single string! I cant sy anything about the finish because its only 5 months old. I changed the strap buttons to locking units from Dunlop, because these are simply cone-shaped, and if your strap is well worn, you might wasnt to invest in some strap-loks aswell.

I hear the ESP people in Japan are awesome, but ive never dealt with them. if you have any queries about your ESP, your first stop should defientely be http://pub2.ezboard.com/bespguitarsmessageboard this is the ESP Message board, its very active, and has a bunch of extremely knowledgable people on there that wil be glad to help you out. My username on there is LooP68.

This guitar would be absolutely perfect if it had been a through neck, because access to the upper frets is somewhat limited, but i can cope. If it were stolen or lost, id save up enough to get an Eclipse Custom, made entirely in the USA Custom Shop, and its a neck-thru, but a little pricey ($4000 or so). But no, id definetely get this guitar again. Maybe if it had a 25.5 inch scale, that would be cooler.