The ESP EII Horizon III
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- Опубликовано: 16 сен 2020
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I had an EII Horizon... one of the best made guitars I ever had my hands on... wonderful fit and finish. I have nothing but high praise for ESP's EII line.
instablaster.
why did you sell it?
@@Vestu Same reason I've sold 100s of great guitars ' to buy a different one . Has nothing to do with anything . I have 2 E-II horizons and they are both awesome guitar's but I'd sell either of them for the right price 😁
@@stringsattached67 Fair enough. I'm the type of guy to stick with my favorite guitar :P
I ordered a custom shop guitar from them in 2018. The plan was for it to be my "final" guitar - one that had everything I thought I wanted. Two full months' wages. Now, I want another one. It's just soooo good.
Lesson learned though - there is no "one" guitar.
Motorcycles are like that too.
In the mid 90's, I came across a "real deal" ESP George Lynch signature Skulls and Snakes and the store had a $1200 price tag on it (about half what it listed for). I asked the guy at the store why they were selling it so cheap. He said someone had ordered it, then decided they didn't want it when it arrived. The store was able to keep the deposit, so they were just trying to get what they had in it (keep in mind, at that time, you couldn't give "super Strats" away). I played it, and it was one of the best feeling guitars I've played. But alas, I was at that stage in life where I had small children. Just simply couldn't afford it. It was one of those that "got away".
Some of my only regrets in life were guitars and albums that I passed on and were long gone when I came back.
I feel that in my soul. Right fn NOW, Guitar Center in Baton Rouge has a Carvin Fatboy with a light brown flamed top for cheap as hell, but as you said, young kids, Bills, adulting, etc...played it yesterday and fell in love
This is my first expensive guitar. I absolutely love it.
One of my favorite things about your videos is not only watching your collection change and grow but watching your guitar playing constantly grow and progress! It reminds me to always keep practicing and always try to better my own playing!
That E-II Horizon looks fantastic. I love that deep purple-black coloration, and the body shape is a slightly aggressive look to a more traditional body shape. I just love how it looks aggressive without making too outlandish. Its subtle and brilliant.
Man that thing sounds amazing. Awesome video Phillip, thanks for bringing it to us
Played one just like that in a local shop when they first came out, that color is fricking spectacular in person. Amazing guitars. I like the Horizons, but its the Eclipse series for me.
LTD owner here- That thing is GORGEOUS.
My LTD MH-1000FR Deluxe actually came in the exact same case as E-II in this video. I'm not able to spend that much on E-II yet but I love my LTD.
I love my ltd it's a esp ltd-1000 koa top with evertune bridge
@@diobrando5896 lucky bastard.
@@MrEric622 I bought it for myself for my birthday
@@diobrando5896 Happy birthday- keep shredding!
really glad you got to check out an E-II! Good to have someone with a keen eye and knowledge of various levels of gear to give us the skinny on it.
That's a beauty. Love the clean sound on the neck pick-up.
They're amazing guitars. I own the E-II Horizon FR and the E-II Horizon NT-II.
Immediately fell in love with the bridge clean sound!
Completely agree with the branding - hate the "LTD" and the "E-2" designations, just like I hate what PRS does with theirs. At least with Ibanez, it's always an Ibanez. Everyone should understand the difference between Prestige and GIO. To me, it says "We don't think highly enough of this product to put our name on it." Same goes with Epiphone & Gibson.
Nicely said
To my knowledge, the E-II range replaced the former ESP Standard range. It’s nothing more than ESP saying, “If you want “ESP” on your headstock you’re going to pay a premium for it.” They’re certainly not the only company to do this, but it’s pretty disappointing really.
@@bdamotta completely agree.
@@larsheuker lol
Agree with everything except the Epiphone part. I think the company that has been around since 1870's deserves to keep its name. And the fact that they're viewed as "second rate Gibson" is a lot of times unfair.
Phil. This was great. Definitely need more. And AMS I am always happy to do business with. I am happy to see they get you.
I blindly bought an EII horizon NTII after never having touched an ESP before. I had only played a couple of LTD's that were on the lower end that were decent, but nothing spectacular. I've been a Schecter guy for years. After getting my EII, within 3 months, I had bought the LTD NW44 and traded my Schecter Tempest for an EC1000 with no regrets. I have absolutely been converted to an ESP/LTD guy. I love my schecters, but these are just "different".
I have an 80s-era ESP MIJ Horizon that is STILL my main guitar. I recall it cost a pretty penny, but going on 40 years later, it is still awesome and it was worth every cent.
You had me at purple. Awesome looking and sounding guitar!!! Thanks Phil and AMS.
Awesome guitar and video. Thank you for covering this guitar! Man this is now on my wishlist 👍
Got an E-II Eclipse this month. Absolutely amazing instrument. Very possibly the best I’ve ever played.
Great review. Never would have even though of a EII as my next purchase but now you have me thinking. Looks and sounds fantastic. Thanks for all you do for the guitar community!
I have an e-ii eclipse, it's so amazing I'll definitely consider another e-ii in the future, perhaps one of the horizons.
yes, please do more vids like this!! love these product reviews!!
It's veneer top I believe! I've played that same model and I also have a E-II M-II model which I'm pretty sure is a veneer. My logic is that the guitars are SUPER light weight and of course the maple tops add a hefty chunk of weight to the body. A lot of people are critical of ESP for putting veneers on the hand-made models but I honestly think it's the best of both worlds cause you get light weight but it's still pretty to look at.
I would personally prefer some sort of cap vs a veneer, even with a veneer on top of the plain cap for aesthetics; in the EII price range. I have a great LTD M series that I have loved since 2000, but it is a neck thru with a veneer top; Sadly it took a fall off a stage and landed flat on its face a number of years ago. No neck damage, but both body wings partially debonded from the neck and cracked through the veneer. It was repairable and plays fine, but the cracks are visible from the floyd cavity backwards. Since then I have preferred some sort of solid top to help join the wings in a neck through situation; or a solid repairable finish.
"Ranking" when it comes to prestige, build quality and price with ESP:
1. ESP Custom Shop (MIJ)
2. ESP Original Series and Navigator (MIJ)
3. ESP USA (Made in USA)
4. E-II (MIJ)
5. Edwards (Assembled in Japan/MIC)
6. LTD 1000-series and some 600-series (MIK)
7. LTD everything else (Made in Indonesia)
8. Grassroots (MIC)
Thanks man
Holy gain !!-----!!!©
This list is correct, although 2 and 3 quality ‘s are roughly the same. Slide edge to 2 indeed but depends on personal preference
@@nittyguitar
Yes, true that 2 and 3 are almost interchangeable. The USA stuff are typically a bit cheaper (or less expensive!) than the Original Series. On the other hand the USA guitars have SS frets as standard for example. So yeah, tomato, tomahto. It's a fine line
LTD 1000 is made in Indonesia.
I own an E-ii Eclipse and I agree for the money its a beast and easily competes with the more expensive guitars I own. The build quality is excellent. ESP should just put ESP on the headstock and people would be all over them
Yup, I would lol
my favourite guitar. looks, feels and sounds awesome. thanks phil, have a fine weekend.
Sounds fantastic! Thanks AMS!
Finally got my first e-ii eclipse (with Evertune) this past weekend and love it so much I’m debating selling my Gibson’s to get more. It’s THAT good. Just feels like a supercharged modern Les Paul.
I have a trans black E II Horizon. It is LOADED with awesome features. The locking Gotoh tuners are icing on an incredible cake. The ebony fingerboard is so highly polished I can see my reflection in it. It has the best non custom shop fretwork I have ever seen.
Looked at your video several times and then write to ESP inquiring about ESP and E2 series differences and finally ordered one. No stock, have to wait. Thanks Phil.
Loved the review and thanks for the information about American Music Supply. Some of their exclusive run gear, like the SG Modern in Figured Trans Red Fade looks sick! I'd like to see some of these on the channel.
Great looking & sounding machine there !!! Love it !!
Most versatile guitar I've ever owned from Metal to Jazz and for $1700 it was a no brainer.
That Bridge pickup on clean and with dirt is amazing
the E-ll eclipse is probably the guitar of my dreams, excellent video phill
Just got one. Simply amazing.
@@dvdpz89 same here. love it.
Thank you Sir. Been shopping for a new guitar. I Went Strait To American Music Supply Ordered my ESP before I finished your video.
I came back and watched the rest😉
That’s a stunning looking guitar. I have the LTD EC-1000 and it’s also flawless. These guys make some great gear.
NOICE!! Sounds and looks incredible
Would have loved that guitar body 30 years ago, great styling and dig the color. Not my thing now but I would still want to pick up, plug in and play.
I've got the LTD version of this guitar and it's also of incredible quality. ESP has really stepped up their game when it comes to offering quality instruments over a wide range of price points.
Thanks for the video Phil. Killer guitar.
I have an M1 and it plays and feels just like my Hanneman Custom. They are flawless and the feeling is incredible, like they grew it on a tree or something like that.
I just ordered the ESP Eclipse E-II 7 Evertune and I’m so excited for it to arrive.
Beautiful axe and sound. AMS is a great company. I left Sweetwater after 10 years for them. Nice playing Philip.
Got an E-ii ST-I the same month they launched the E-ii series. Agree with RUclips man, frets were flawless and parts are top notch. Solid guitar that feels very expensive 👌🏻
I've always wondered about the E-IIs. Sounds like they are killer instruments. Thanks, Phil!
ESP is my most favorite brand and Solar now is a close second. The E-II line are some of the best guitars made love seeing more and more artist playing E-II's
I have an esp horizon fr-ii an esp kh-2 and an E-II Eclipse. I love them all.
Wow! I like the sound of her. That split bridge has some spank to it. Sweet guitar but outta my comfort zone price wise.
Another excellent video Phil. Thanks!
Have always loved that look with the rectangle inlays at the top. preferably without the one at the 12th
These are absolutely killer guitar - I played one just like this and it was amazing
Love that guitar ! your playing keeps getting better all the time .Will you please review the Wolf guitars from A.I.O. in L.A.
I remember I saw an ESP guitar back around 1990.ome of the nicest guitars I ever picked up. A real george lynch signature model. Unreal! Was something like $1200 used. Probably about $2500-2750, today. I always regretted being poor when I was a teenager 😂
I remember seeing those back in the day as well. Local mom and pop guitar shop had a kamikaze and tiger stripe in stock. Seriously cool guitars.
@@thearabianmage the feel was absolutely perfect. Effortless playability
This is weirdly similar to the comment @Ron Foster made, just above yours
@@johnwest6083 considering I didn't read his...yeah, it's weird, but not as weird as yours
I own an ESP Eclipse and love it. This guitar is achingly beautiful and I want it!
I have a ESP Horizon made in Japan. And i keep telling people to pick these up cause they are incredible instruments!!
Thank you for reviewing some ESP products ..I find them to be the best guitars bar none. I’ve been a guitarist for 53 years and I’ve played all types of music mostly jazz and I find that ESP and the LTD line is of the highest quality In their perspective price point
Phil, Off topic, but I just wanted to say that I really like the Master 8 infinix picks that I heard about on your channel last week. I was sold on the DAVA picks myself because of the rubber grips, but I didn't really like the tip either, so the Master 8 picks are my new favorites. Thank you for bringing them to my attention.
Finally. They're great and fabulous to play. I have ESP M-II (made in Japan, before they changed to E-II) and E-II Horizon II.
Amazing sound
I have had several ESP Standard Series Guitars over the years,i'm on 5 ESPs +9 LTDs+1 E-II ( the Urban Camo is my favourite still) and last month l ordered my very first E-II,An Urban Camo Viper and to be honest l was a bit nervous ( it was $2600) was it going to be as good as my ESP Standards? As an ESP owner since 2007,l know every inch and quality of an ESP Standard series,they are simply unreal. It arrived,it said E-II but My God,what a Guitar! Sure,like Phillip says,there is that very brief momentary "Awww where's the ESP Logo!?" ( it's actually on the back of headstock like they do with LTDs but The Quality is out of this World! A stunning Guitar,incredible build and l grabbed my ESP SS Camo also and used both for hours,comparing them and l can definitively say that the Quality is EXACTLY the same,Professional Guitars of a Standard you will not find in that upper medium price range. That Reindeer Blue Horizon is stunning too! Try an E-II ,You will simply never go back.
Great finish on that one.
Never cared for this guitar until I tried it in a store. It feels really slick and smooth. Looks much better in person. Feels like a much more expensive guitar that it is.
Looking forward to your LTD review, i love mine.
ESP are really nice. I currently have an LTD MH1000FR & all the Deluxe 1000's are really nice for the price point.
That one you have reminds me of the Hamer Phantom Glenn Tipton played in Priest. My first ESP was an Eclipse that pissed Gibson off. It was laid out with a full slab non-weight relief with 2 vol & 2 tone with ebony board & I still kick myself for selling it. It played better than most & this was way back before all the makers split into tier building. Really nice guitars worth a try if you've never played one for sure! Great video Phil!
Hi Phillip, what an amazing guitar and a fantastic review. You really brought it to life with your demo, sounds tremendous. Clear and beautiful with attack and sustain for days. I live in the valley of the sun as well and I've got a signature series LTD WA-600 that you can review if you're interested. It's an EC style, neck through construction, mahogany body maple cap, loaded with Seymour Duncan JB/59. It plays amazingly well.
Hi Phil! I've been heavily considering buying this guitar. I was wondering if you'd recommend any other guitars with this look or feel? Or is this #1?
I had this guitar and I agree with Phill, there wasn’t a single thing wrong that I could find. Fretwork was perfect. Anyone thinking about it should get it. Very underrated brand.
You'll put your eye out with that thing Phil ! 😎🎸🤘
Maybe they’re just a great fit for my hands and style, but E-II and the original ESP Standard series are some of my absolute favorite guitars ever. The one’s I’ve owner are absolutely incredible
Personally I kinda hate the E-II name and kinda wish they stuck with ESP standard but I can’t argue with the actual instruments themselves. Quality is some of the best.
It's because E-ll is not the former ESP Standard. It's Edwards and LTD Elite.
@@haveagoodone5830 LTD Elite was the first failed rebrand of ESP Standard. ESP opted for E-II to avoid confusion with its contract built guitars but reserve the ESP name for custom shop guitars only.
"E-IIs are built at the same ESP factory under the same facilities in the same quality level with previous ESP Standard products," explains Makoto Suzuki from ESP Japan.
Taken from a press releases on MusicRadar
@@ShredBird , it's a mistake to think standard was the only line to be made in that facility
@@ShredBird , you have the right to remain wrong and believe in elves. ESP make good product no arguing that, but have always been flaky about their business.
I can speak, read and write Japanese, have been communicating with Japanese musicians since 2002, and buying JDM guitars from Japan for over 15 years, owned maybe over two dozen JDM and MIJ/CIJ, half of which belong to ESP brands ( no LTD ever, just because I could always get a MIJ instead).
In this country we have lots of JDM guitars that 99% of Americans and most Europeans haven't ever heard of. I currently own
- a MIJ Jackson Grover Jackson Professional which is a totally different line from MIJ Jackson Professional everyone has heard of. This was but a JDM only artist signature series;
- a Jackson Grover Jackson Soloist Custom (which is not a custom-made guitar);
- a lawsuit ESP Standard Eclipse Snow White I;
- an oddball ESP Original M-III with a Cyber Joint and pickups screwed to the neck that ESP themselves replied was legit MIJ but they didn't know anything about;
- a Schecter Japan spot model built at (judging by its proper papers):
171-0033 東京都豊島区高田2-10-11.
Copypaste and google this and see for yourself if this isn't the ESP Takada address. Bet you've read official info that ESP doesn't build them;
The last guitar that I sold a while ago was a MIJ (not CIJ) Edwards.
I do my little research. But you are free to choose your sources.
@@haveagoodone5830 Haha relax, I believe you!
I don't think ESP's messaging has been very good in the phasing out of ESP Standard and LTD Elite, they've just confused everyone more. In some ways, I like that they operate mysteriously, in other ways, I just wanna know what I'm getting.
I hope to travel to Japan one day and bring back an ESP on the way back.
I have an LTD with the same specks other than I have a floyd on mine it is awesome. The fret work was amazing
I had a horizon ii and sold it. The volume knob seems too close to where my hand would hit it in play and adjust the level. I do have the EII ST1 which is like a strat with a Floyd. Love it.
I have several LTD's and one ESP from before they went to the EII I wish they would have kept the ESP but I still love them
ESP E-II Horizon II FR in Reindeer Blue is my current dream guitar.
I own E-II FRX, EMG 89s are so cool pickups. This guitar can do it all. Clean, muddy jazz, bluesy sounds and metal from hell as well. Build quality is top notch.
Sweet shirt, Phillip!
I have a 1992 ESP Mirage Custom, and an ESP KHDC Sig Series. I got the most amazing performance out of a guitar than I could ask for. The only thing is, whether its a good or bad thing, the ESPs are synonym to Metal and I dont play those alot. When I take out my guitar and play some JM, SRV or Gary Moore, people go give me some weird look. If anyone would try the ESPs before making their purchase, play with the volume and tone knobs, with the right amp, the sound and tone you get out of this thing makes you fly... If only more people knew...
They are great guitars. I've had a couple. One had some EMG pickups. Loved it ❤️😎👍👌💯🎸🎸
One of these days I must have a ESP Horizon!
I have used AMS a few times. I got a Fender Precision Bass a PRS 35th anniversary se and PRS Custom 24 floyd. Could never have owned these guitar without the payment plans. Great company! 👍🎸🤘
ESP and Schecter both make some really great guitars at very good prices for the quality. I was slow realizing this really since I usually like lower output, more vintage style pickups but it’s a easy thing to put a set of PAFs in one
Absolutely more videos like this.
Ahh yes the HORIZON III. Love the HORIZON series. Period.
I have their Grassroots Horizon II, with slanted single coil size humbucker on the neck, myself.
Ive tuned that guitar all the way down to drop a it is absolutely amazing i like it best in drop b with xl light baritone strings .
AMS is a great company. I have purchased many items and have, every time, a great experience.
Just bought a Korean LTD.. can’t wait to get it! More reviews of LTD now!!
I wanted 1 of these. This confirms it.🤘
i love this guitar the way it is
I just purchased this exact guitar, I love it. Only thing I may change is the pickups, not because they're not great but because I own a prs ce and that guitar is bright enough to cover all the bases I need it to. This guitar is my down tuned metal option, and I think something a little more warm would be better.
I own 11 guitars from Fender Custom shop , Suhr to Gibson LP and my ESP Eclipse I bought in 2012 is flawless! Its perfect I've never seen craftsmanship so perfect. Japanese just strive for perfection just like my Grand Seiko and the Lexus I just bought.
I agree. totally versatile. my favourite guitar. I like the construction, looks and sound (SD). if you don´t need a fr, and "ESP" on the headstock, it´s nearly perfect. and I am impressed by esp japan factory and their guitarbuilding academy.
I'm a massive ESP fan, and a few years ago I was given the opportunity to work for the Australian distributor.
I get that some people are miffed by the E-II logo, but the logic behind renaming the ESP Standard Series the E-II was to reserve the ESP brand for only the highest-tier guitars produced by the company, which come out of the ESP Custom Shop in Japan (ESP Custom, ESP Original Series), and the ESP USA shop in California (ESP USA - essentially a "semi-custom" operation), which are all on another level to the old ESP Standard Series/current E-II line (which are still amazing guitars in their own right), and offers some simple product differentiation.
Whilst I no longer work for the company, and nor do I stock the brand in the store I've just opened (small town, not the right market), my ESP Custom Shop Stephen Carpenter 6-String will be the guitar I hold on to until my dying breath.
it looks beautiful , sounds great, what more could you ask for, I would love to own one, thanks for the review because I would have probably skipped over it if shopping for something high end but this is truly a high end ESP even if the headstock doesn't suggest so, has all the hardware and pups that I love, gonna have to go looking to see what they have with a trem system now
I would say most horizons come with a Floyd rose.
I've just got into ESP guitars in the last year or so. Started with an LTD MH400B baritone. Good guitar. Then I bought an E-II M-I. That is easily in the top 2 or 3 guitars I own. (2019 Gibson lp studio and a 1987 charvel model 1 are the others). I love it so much, I'm constantly on the hunt for another, gently used gem. I've since also bought the LTD M-HT. The black metal M-I. That thing is a beast as well. Suffice it to say I'm kicking myself for waiting 30+ years of guitar playing before giving ESP a serious look.
Great review Phil. 👏🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🥰
I have an ESP USA and an EII Horizon and love them both! Fabulous guitars!
I've had such good experience with both my 80's 400 series ESP and the various LTD's in the armoury I tend now to look at what they're doing before anyone else... I own other guitars and have owned many more; the fit and form of even the beginner guitars ESP make are just amazing.
That E-II looks lovely; I think the only thing of yours I prefer is the sandstorm PRS. Brand loyalty should never blind a man! (thats for you gibson folks out there.... I know, I know...)
This exact thing was on my must have list for quite some time. Went with a PRS SE custom 24 Floyd. ESP =Super nice instrument
Maple cap with veneer top. I own two E-ii (Horizon, M-ii) and they absolutely rock!!!!
Sounds great.