ESP JH-3

1999, #063. Mahogany Body, 24 3/4" scale Maple Neck with Rosewood fretboard. Shaped like a Les Paul Custom, based off of the ESP Eclipse. Neck Volume, Bridge Volume, and master tone. 3 way switch and dummy switch at upper horn. Two EMG humbuckers 60(Neck) and 81(bridge). Gold hardware, Sperzel Locking tuners, Pearl flag inlays. 1 1/16" nut, thin neck, jumbo frets. Hardshell Les Paul style case with "JAYMZ" on outside of case. ESP says there was a COA, but none was provided when purchased.

I was initially looking for a Les Paul Custom and was prepared to spend the $2800.00 for the guitar. Once I started trying out the guitars I noticed the JH-3 hanging on the wall and started A/Bing the Gibsons with the JH-3. The JH-3 was much more resonant and playability was phenominal. Maybe it was the EMG's, but I was able to coax more usable tones from the JH-3 than the Gibsons.

The action was great right from the wall. I put a set of Ernie Ball Slinky .010's on after purchasing the guitar. The overall set-up was very good. I did have trouble with the 3 way selector. The selector was hit and miss when changing from the bridge to neck. I removed the switch, cleaned, resolderd the leads and still could not get it to function correctly. I adjusted the wipers still to no avail. I finally removed the dummy switch and swapped the switches. Dummy switch lasted for approx 2 days and started to demonstrate the same problems. Finally I installed a new Switch craft 3 way toggle and have had no problems.

This guitar is one of my primary guitars. Although it's a collector type guitar, I can't pass up the playability or sound of this guitar. It's very dependable, tuning is extremely stable. Other than the toggle switch issue, I've had no trouble with it. The gold hardware will eventually tarnish, but that's expected. I removed the original hardware to preserve the finish.

ESP has always been very supportive in regards to manufacturing questions etc. I've never had issues with their customer service

I've been playing 26 years. I've got Music Man EVH's, Axis', Wolfgang's ESP KH's, Fenders, Gibsons, a B.C. Rich and Taylor acoustics. As stated above, the JH-3 is one of my primary guitars. I'm extremely impressed with the guitar. I wasn't actually looking for a Metallica Signature guitar, but I'm very glad I chose to play the guitar.

My ESP JH-3 number 17 was made in 1999 in japan has 22 jumbo frets, withracing flag inlays. This is the James Hetfield signiture Eclipse. It has 3 way selector switch 2 volume 1 tone. It has 2 selector switches 1 at the normal LP position and 1 where the 2 tone would be on a LP. The switch in the top position has no function. It has the Hetfield emg 60/81 active setup. The LP style mahogany body is finsihed in bl;ack with Hetfield custom artwork in off white. It has nashville bridge and sperzel tuners (satin gold), it came with a LP hard case with esp logo and Jaymz signiture. It also came with signed certificate.

This is a great guitar it is very felxible, great for heavy rock which I generally play, but is also a good blues guitar. I use Mesa boogie amps/pre amps. It is a very loud guitar probably down to the active emg's.
It has a very rich tone much like LP.
There nothing I don't like about this guitar.

This guitar was made by ESP and they make quality guitars. The action was perfect for heay rhythm style. I have never had to adjust the pickups. The guitar was perfect in everyway, flawless.

This guitar will last forever it is real workhorse. James Hetfield plays one live and I am sur ehe wouldn't put his name to any rubbish.
I would not carry a backup live. The finish is excellent.

Never had to use the lifelong warranty

I have been playing for 18 years, I also own a ltd grynch, lp custom, esp flying V, 2 esp explorers........
If this guitar was stollen I would search the earth for a replacement.
This guitar is as good if not better than my Les Paul Custom Black Beauty.

This is an amazing guitar, with endless features it seems. All the hardware is gold plated, even the strap buttons. THe bridge is a tune-o-matic, and is very easy to use. It has 2 Volume knobs, 1 volume switch, and 1 tone knob. IT has 22 jumbo frets, with racing flag inlays. It has the white pinstripe design, designed by James hetfield. THe finish is excellent also. A very nice guitar all around!

This is a metal guitar obviously. IT has the EMG pickups that just crunch with no remorse just like metallica. However, i also dont have any problem getting any other sounds out of it. It reminds me a lot of a Les Paul guitar in its similar variety and versatility in sound.

Esp did a wonderous job on this guitar. There is absolutley nothing wrong with it. All the hardware was put in perfectly, and there are no flaws whatsoever. The action is fairly high, which i like, and the pickups are secure, there not going anywhere. The finish is excellent, no flaws, shiny and a great show piece.

This is a guitar made for playing live, which metallica is known for. This guitar will withstand the test of time. Its a light guiar, but feels really solid and durable. This guitar will take a beating! The finish is thick,so I cant see any future problems with the finish. The strap buttons are rather small, but they seem secure and im confident with them. I never use one guitar on a gig, so i cant say i wont bring a back-up, but i can defintitely say that I wouldnt need a backup guitar.

I havent actually dealt with the company myself yet, i got this guitar through a private seller. However, i hear they are very nice, and hard working, and i havent heard of too many people having problems with them.

This is the best guitar i have owned. Its a les paul, but so much more! James Hetfield is my idol, and i dont think he would endorse a piece of garbage. I couldnt be anymore happy with this guitar, its really an exquisite piece, and great for playing live, in private or even just as a show piece!

This review is of the ESP JH-3 serial number 035. This guitar was made in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan, in the last couple of months, we'll say July 1999. It has most of the appointments of a black Gibson Les Paul Custom, with gold hardware. There improvements are as follows: Made by ESP in Japan, Sperzel Tuners, EMG Pick-ups (81 and 60), pin striping, Nashville bridge, and custom Les Paul case with JAYMZ silk screened on it. Its light as a feather. I also have a JH-1 and the JH-2, and these have to be the coolest Limited Editions going. Each guitar is meticulously crafted. I only wish the 1 & 2 had the set necks as well (my only complaint).

These guitars work with any sound that I am trying to get. Although I generally prefer a METALLICA tone.

This is my only area of concern. From the factory, the action and neck need adjusted. Also, the bridge pick-up was damaged. The threaded bushing was yanked through the plastic pickup tab, so within 6 hours of purchase, I was already tearing the guitar a part to fix the problem. Overall, the finish is fantastic, like a mirror. the bindings are 5 ply, and are perfect all over, amazing. The pin stripes are very well done as well. I am giving an 8 since I had to work on it out of the box.

This guitar is built for playing live, however, it needs better strap buttons, it comes with gold plated ones, that are very small. It needs Dunlops or something fatter. The hardware is gold plated, so I am afraid it will not stand the test of time, so I am not going to use it much. It's more of a show piece. I would never play without a backup.

I've dealt with the VP Jose' and Matt in the custom shop and these guys are very accessible. They'll talk directly to you over the phone if you want.

I've been playing for about 20 years (wish I sounded like it), and collecting guitars for about 16 years. I own a 1994 Gibson Les Paul Classic, a pre-95 Paul Reed Smith Custom, a JH-1 and JH-2, and a 10 year old MII custom, and I can unconditionally say that this guitar is one of the best that I own. In my opinion, when ESP wants to, they can knock your socks off. I have always thought that they were underrated, and now I know it. In fact, I was pondering this morning of how amazingly ESP is at making so many different types of guitars, typically better than the original manufacturers. I am thrilled that I bought it, and would recommend that you get one ASAP, before they are all gone, there are only 100 in the USA, so good luck. Considering a run of the mill Les Paul custom is over $1,000 more, you would be an idiot not to buy one of these if you are looking for something like a Les Paul only better.