ESP Horizon Custom Shop

Not too many people out there know the difference between a real ESP custom shop and "standard" ESP custom guitars. My Horizon is a real custom shop instrument.

Mine is a different Horizon custom, made in 1995. It came with the original hardcase and related paperwork which says it is made in NY, USA; only 3 of them ever made! (mine is 2/3) Seller told me that these are custom made for Helmet guitarist Page Hamilton and he personally witnessed the production in ESP's custom shop. I believe it is true, because I have investigated the guitar for about 3 weeks, I wasn't able to find a similar looking model, except an old picture (unfortunately, not a clear one!), showing Mr. Hamilton live on stage and his ESP looks identical to mine and maybe it is this one (I really can't tell since the picture doesn't clearly show the bridge section of the guitar). Seller also told me that one of these guitars have a Floyd tremolo and mine is the one of the other two with tune-o-matic bridge.

Guitar has a very smooth and fast maple neck which has beautifully crafted 22 frets (not 24 as most of other Horizons), white binding along edges (+ headstock) and a dark gray graphite nut which perfectly matches the body finish. I must state that this neck is faster than any other Horizon necks that I've played over the years and believe me, I have tried a lot of them. Jumbo frets, they are very high quality and the fretwear is minimal although I am pretty sure they are originals, couldn't find any evidence for any possible re-fretting. Absolutely no rattles or any unwanted noises, it plays amazingly silent and fast with low action. Tuners are black and ESP stamped (3 X 3) and they work great, guitar stays in tune for days. Logo is typical 90's white logo with golden shadows. It says "Custom" by the logo.

Body is alder, it is not a heavy guitar. But don't let this fool you, guitar has outstanding sustain. The whole body is finished with a custom metal flaked paint in dark gray, there are thousands of micro scale metal pieces inside the finish. This is probably the main reason why overall sustain is incredible. One of my friends told me that it's probably original Chevy paint which they used for 50's-60's Chevrolet cars. In my studio where I keep this hanging on the wall, guitar looks black from a distance. But it shines on stage, it looks very impressive under stage lights. I am a guitar player for about 14 years and this is THE best finish I've seen on an electric guitar. Period. To be honest, I wasn't aware of this finish when I decided to buy the guitar from Ebay, listing pics were a little dark. When it arrived I was really impressed by the looks.

Guitar has one Seymour Duncan Distortion in the bridge position (original DiMarzio was replaced by the previous owner) and an ESP Power Rail (http://www.espguitars.co.jp/parts/pickups.html) single sized hot blade pickup in the neck. Both pickups sound amazing. Original bridge bucker was a DiMarzio and it was also included in the package. There is only one volume knob and a 3-way selector switch on the body, this is one of the reasons why I bought this guitar, to rock without hassles. Not too many knobs, buttons and other stuff, only a volume knob and a selector. Perfect for me.

The bridge is a very high quality Gotoh tune-o-matic bridge in black. Strings go thru body.

I wish there was no ESP inlay at 12th fret and I think this could be easily done in the custom shop, but I assume since this guitar is a serious attempt for a signature series for Hamilton I think they felt like they had to put an ESP inlay on it. But anyways, it doesn't bother me too much.

Here are some pics for you to investigate this monster:
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x241/ozzy_79/ESP-6.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x241/ozzy_79/ESP-9b.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x241/ozzy_79/ESP-2.jpg

Seymour Duncan in the bridge sounds absolutely stunning. Guitar is alive and kicking with very strong sound and most importantly without any background garbage. Sustain is far better than any other set neck guitars that I owned or played. I think whatever pickup you put on this guitar, it would sound amazing, because it has a very special treatment for the body which amazingly increases the sustain. Even with my simple setup (a Boss HM-2 and Fender 60W amp, with some reverb), it sounds full heavy metal, sustain goes like forever. Pickups are both excellent and silent, they never get muddy. Crystal clear. So far I've had nothing but a rich, full sound and I doubt it will ever change.

Everything is cut, placed and finished perfectly, there is not even one flaw that I can see on it. When it first arrived, I had no trouble hooking it up to the amp and getting the feel of it. The pickups didn't need any adjusting at all. Totally flawless guitar, although it is nearly 12 years old.

Previous owner really took good care of it, plus, I don't think I will ever have a problem with this finish, it looks like it will last for lifetime. Every component looks quite solid.

Never dealt with them

I play rock and heavy metal. Right now I have 2 other ESP guitars (a standard maple top red Viper and a KH-2, both Japanese), one Ibanez RGR470 (reverse headstock, Japanese), one USA Dean Razorback (2006, signed by Dean Zelinsky) and one USA Gibson Standard (1999). My main amp is Marshall JCM800 (100W, all tube) and my main effects unit is Zoom G9.2tt (tube) and I also have some Boss effect pedals. I use a 60W Fender amp for practice.

I am a player for about 14 years and I owned a lot of guitars until now (my little list says 46, but I am pretty sure it is more than that!). I buy and sell guitars all the time. It is sickness. But I just love them.

This is one of the best guitars that I've ever owned or played. That is simply it. I am glad that I found this beauty. I paid about 3100$ inc. shipping but it is definitely worth it. Actually one of my best deals ever. I usually play tremolo guitars and I bought my Gibson only a few weeks ago, I had some extra money and I wanted to give tune-o-matic bridge a shot after all these tremolo years :) But I am definitely selling Gibson and keeping this as my only non-tremolo guitar.

I compared this to all the guitars that I owned for the past 14 years. This includes very high quality and very expensive custom made static bridge guitars like Gibson Joe Perry, Slash models or other ESP custom order guitars with similar specifications. This one has the nicest feeling and the nicest neck. Plus, this ESP is not as heavy as them but it is much more louder than all of them combined! It is silent, highly responsive and a real joy to play.

If it was stolen? I really don't think so :) You wouldn't get very far with it because there are only 3 of them on the face of this earth.

Maple and ebony, 24 fret Neck Thru Body with alder wings. Typical soloist style, non-carved top. Black finish, matching to the headstock. Headstock is reverse "vintage ESP" straty style, not pointed. Solid block hardtail brass bridge (non trem) strung thru the body.

This is a touch of a mystery as to specifically which model it is. Closest I can equate to would be a N-T-B Horizon or a KH model, originally ordered from 48th Street Custom Guitars in NYC (sticker on the inside of cavity confirms that it's a 48th St). Srial numbers imprinted into the fretboard below the 24th fret.

I'm probably the third owner if not the 4th. Aftermarket upgrade to a Telecaster sized single-coil in the neck with a humbucker in the bridge. One volume only and a 4 way switch for a H-S/H in series-S-S/H in parallel. Very usefull tones. I've upgraded the PUs that it came with (Fender Vintage type tele neck and a Gibson 490T) with a Bill Lawrence L-510R (in the bridge) and a same era Bill Lawrence tele neck PU. VERY HOT RIG.

Like any good ESP, it's got a ridiculously slinky neck, faster than the Gibbos or Fenders that I have usually played. Flat radius, 25.5"/ 24 fret with JUMBO frets. Very easy access to the 24th fret. Deep belly carve. No inlays or nothin' on the fretboard. Fret markers are on the side only. Makes you really think while playing.

Body is very light, I'd say MAYBE 6lbs total, but sustains like nobodys business. Unplugged, plucked the open low E and it decays out at about 30s, give or take. No BS.

For a guitar that is easily 20yrs old, she is put together well and plays great. Previous owners took very good care of her and I'm quite lucky to have gotten such a nice guitar for less than $500.00, including shipping.

I'm giving this axe an 8 because... it's a fantastic insturment and I'm entirely pleased with it. 9 and 10s are handed out like candy on Halloween on this board. A 9 is something like my buddy's PRS McCarthy SC. A 10 is a guitar that makes my cry when I play it.

I'm a bit more of a "pushed" blues and some jazz player. Also love to bash out on metal and good rock. With the PUs I've put in it, it covers ALOT of ground.

The cavity was already shielded, with the Bill Lawrence PUs, they are already quite silent as it is, so this guitar doesn't hum out at all.

I play through a rebuilt 1950's Magnatone Varsity 8w tube amp. An AMAZING amp, sounding about as ideal as a vintage champ. I've sold off much of my rig these days. Only pedal I have is a Route 66 Compression/ Overdrive, which certainly satisfies most of my needs.

The Bill Lawrence L-510R is from '79 and has the chrome surround with the blades. Very similar to an L-500R today (from www.billlawrence.com). Fits just FINE into the bridge because... Bill's PU are made to do that. It's a rich and full HB that offers plenty of bite when you want it to.

The BL Tele is also from that era as well, probably similar to his Keystone L-200s. Alnico II magnet slugs and very vintage sounding, but no hum. A touch richer than a standard tele neck. Certainly LOUDER. Balances well to the bridge when they are both on and get some serious "quack" in the parallel setting. On it's own, the Neck PU is just really nice.

Also, replaced the plastic nut with a TUSQ (graphtech) nut, helping out with tuning stability as well as better dynamic in the tone. Besides, the old nut was also pulling away from it's original mounting/ seat.

Here, I'm giving it a 9 because: all of this is my customization request or work. Nut and fretwork was done from a local luthier, pickups are stuff I've had around for a long time and I'd better be happy with it. I really am though.

PUs have always been directly mounted into the body and I kept it that way. Not sure why this isn't done more often on guitars, it does make a diffrence and I think for the better.

One has to remember that I got this used, but not abused. Did need a fret leveling/ crown. Even then though, she still played very nicely. The setup originally was solid, properly intonated and the truss rod was in a very good place. Very low action, some buzz on the open to the 3rd fret, so that was more of a nut problem.

For 20+yrs old, solid finish, certainly speaking to the quality of work that ESP does deliver on. I'm sure that this was a silky badass when she was a new and about $1800.00 when custom ordered.

She still is a silky badass.

The bridge is great. Simple Star-type solid brass with a big old sustain block where the bridge pieces (ESP stamped) screw in. Very LOW profile. Some of the adonized black is fading a bit, but I've seen FAR worse.

Tuners are ESP branded, probably Gotoh, but sealed 12 or 14:1 gears and not slipping. I'd imagine the bridge is a Gotoh as well. Stays in tune VERY well.

So... why the 7? She did need some work done. For a 20yr old guitar, it was expected that work would have to be done. This guitar certainly has been played and the frets did need work as well as the nut. I'm judging it for how I got it. It's now pretty much a 9.5, but that's after $150.00 of fret and nut work.

Solid all around.

Yep, I think it will last through a gig. In the end, this is well put together and certainly durable.

Ummm, 20 yrs later and around the 4th care giver of this axe, I don't think I can follow up on any waranty claims.

Hey, this guitar has been around for a while and I think it will last for quite a while longer.

This was built during the more "early days" of ESP and some may say in it's Golden Era, when it's US Headquarters were at 48th Street in NYC, taking custom orders or selling very high quality parts and kits. It really is a beautifully built guitar with solid joins between the body part of the neck and the wings.

I'm more of a "at home player" who ocassionally gets together with friends and play out over a few beers. I don't play nearly as much as I used to.

If, by some bizzare turn of events, I were to become famous as a guitar player (yeah, right) and offered an endorsement deal with my own signature guitar... I'd have this entirely replicated and only have Bill Lawrence (www.billlawrence.com) make the pickups for it.

I customized it with what I had, previously used before on other guitars, and honestly cannot be happier with the result.

I've owned, customized and sold off: Heritage H-150 (consider one of these before a Les Paul), Carvin SH-225 (miss THAT ONE terribly), G&L S-500 (very nice guitar), Washburn CTS (another really good, underrated guitar) and a few Ibanez guitars.

Still currently own a MIJ Squire Strat, very underrated as well, considering they are also over 20+yrs old. Again, customized the hell out of it.

After getting this guitar, I've made more time to playing than I previously have and also use it for my photography. It's a hot looking guitar and models look hot with it; getting in touch with their inner vixen.

So, this get's a 9. Why? Because I said so. I'm entirely satisfied with the end result of this guitar and I do love it. Again, the opinion polls on this board hand out too many 10's. Unless a guitar is a real hunk of crap.

u.s.a built handmade custom horizon
24 fret
solid maple w/neck thru design,5 star quilted top
(1) volume --push pull
seymour duncan JB and cool rails in the neck
locking gotoh tuners
floyd rose

the sound of this guitar is nothing short of astounding!!
the guitar is very resonant ,great tone ,-very tight low end ,screaming harmonics yet when backed off of cleans up to sound like a single coil w/ no noise it really drives my boogies insane

this is my 2nd ESP custom and to be honest the best
the action isn't as low as my first but still very low --didn't care much for the 009 gauge strings so put 010's on it
i have never seen a guitar more balanced and equally as beautiful
my hats off to john G. at ESP for building my dream gtr!!!!!!!

i have toured quite a bit and when i do a show i only take one guitar
that's all that is needed, ESP's have fueled my sound for more than a decade, i can't find fault w/ them!

i've never had a single problem out of my babies for 12 yrs , so i've got no need for any repair task---as far as customer service -- what can i say , i m in constant relations w/ the ESP GUITAR CO. and they are always very attentive to my needs

overall i must say the world should be jealous , because i own the greatest guitar ever built !!!!!
if it were stolen i would order another for sure!!!
the only problem i have with this guitar is that not everyone can experience this guitar ,(oh did i say that aloud?)

p.s. if you need your dream built talk to esp and get it started !!!!
p.s.s. thank you John for the job well done !!!!

It has 24 frets, one-tone, one-volume, 3-way selector, and one coil-tap switch. Pickup configutation is H-H. Duncan TB-4 at the bridge position and Dimarzio Megadrive at the neck position. One-piece Alder body, and one-piece hard maple neck. Original Floyd Rose Bridge is included.

I use it with JMP-1 Preamp and Marshall Valvestate 8100. It has rich and full sound. Very soft and straight.
But it has no concern with Fender style sounds. It sounds similar to PRS guitars, but sounds a little bit heavier that PRS guits. It doesn't have any noise or something like that. I usually play Dream Theater with it. It suits just John's style. Does it sound weird?

Everything was good except for the circuit.
I changed the circuit.
Feel far better now.

It seems it will last.
No problem..

I don't have any trouble with it, so I have no need to contact them.

Good guitar I think. Better than JPM(it's discontinued). I haven't
used much guitars. Hard to compare. Good guitar in my opinion.
But a little bit different from my musical styles. I would buy it
again if I were a totally Dream Theater mania.