Awesome review George. Watched it completely from the beginning to the end. Thanks for sharing! One small note, regarding the custom shop / standard shop swaps, it was the other way around with the trucksters. I’ve seen 6 or 7 grey kiso trucksters, they were all 2005 so they switched production later on to the standard shop. My black kiso truckster is from 2009, also the first official production year for the black truckster. They switched later to the standard shop, to switch back to the custom shop in 2015 when production all signature series went to the custom shop. The motivation still remains the same mysterie.
I'm really glad you took measurements of the neck! ESP has always been so secretive of the measurements of their neck profiles. I am waiting for my custom shop Eclipse to arrive, and should be here next month. I went with a 43mm nut width and a regular U shaped neck, not a thin U, because I felt the thin U on the LTDs I've tried to be a bit thinner than what I like. When I quizzed ESP long enough, they finally gave me the measurements of a regular U neck. 20.5mm thick at the 1st fret, and 24mm thick at the 12th fret. So thinner at the 1st fret than a thin U, but thicker at the 12th fret. Will be interesting to see how it feels. Thanks again for the very detailed rundown!
@@GeorgeVGuitars Will do. Went with Bare Knuckle Silo pickups because I cannot be bothered with batteries anymore for actives. Finish wise, it's a natural gloss quilted maple. Just like Kirk's natural quilted top KH-2 Ouija. You can say I tried to mix both Kirk and James' signature features into one guitar. 24 fret Eclipse. Cheers
George thank you so much for the vid! Excellent info. I know when I was debating LTD or ESP there were NO videos detailing this. I'm sure you will have great success with these vids. I have the Iron Cross myself and it is phenomenal!!!
@@GeorgeVGuitars Agreed. The LTD is still my go to even though I have the ESP. The Collectible nature of the ESP makes me not want to beat it up too badly. I think I still have the stickers on it haha
Amazing content! I have been guided by your reviews before buying one. I was lucky to find a Korean (LTD) unit remaining in east Europe. You are right all the way. The guitar is stunning. Thank you so much. Greatful subscriber
@@GeorgeVGuitars And still helping...I just figured the year. By the way, the ESP vs LTD Iron Cross video you made is very entertaining and educational. In fact, I decide to buy it while watching that video. So thanks, congratulations and keep on the great work!
Thank you. Playability is similar, they are both Eclipse after all, but the finish and the Ebony fingerboard makes them quite different. The sound differences you can hear in this video, where I compare most of the modern Hetfield ESP guitars: ruclips.net/video/8oHpUolVG0c/видео.html
@@GeorgeVGuitars and now it's officially 7329 EUR in Europe, but still the new ones can be purchased for about 6499 EUR. Even ESP KH-2 Vintage Distressed has a lower price than the ESP Iron Cross.
Awesome review George. Watched it completely from the beginning to the end. Thanks for sharing! One small note, regarding the custom shop / standard shop swaps, it was the other way around with the trucksters. I’ve seen 6 or 7 grey kiso trucksters, they were all 2005 so they switched production later on to the standard shop. My black kiso truckster is from 2009, also the first official production year for the black truckster. They switched later to the standard shop, to switch back to the custom shop in 2015 when production all signature series went to the custom shop. The motivation still remains the same mysterie.
Im gonna get to the bottom of this! 🤣
I'm really glad you took measurements of the neck! ESP has always been so secretive of the measurements of their neck profiles. I am waiting for my custom shop Eclipse to arrive, and should be here next month. I went with a 43mm nut width and a regular U shaped neck, not a thin U, because I felt the thin U on the LTDs I've tried to be a bit thinner than what I like. When I quizzed ESP long enough, they finally gave me the measurements of a regular U neck. 20.5mm thick at the 1st fret, and 24mm thick at the 12th fret. So thinner at the 1st fret than a thin U, but thicker at the 12th fret. Will be interesting to see how it feels. Thanks again for the very detailed rundown!
Those are some interesting measurements. Let me know how it feels when it arrives. Which finish and pickups did you go for?
@@GeorgeVGuitars Will do. Went with Bare Knuckle Silo pickups because I cannot be bothered with batteries anymore for actives. Finish wise, it's a natural gloss quilted maple. Just like Kirk's natural quilted top KH-2 Ouija. You can say I tried to mix both Kirk and James' signature features into one guitar. 24 fret Eclipse. Cheers
Had to watch this twice. ❤ Great detail and a key factor in deciding to purchase the ESP Iron Cross. Can’t wait for it to arrive.
Best modern Het signature 🖤
It's arrived and I have to say. Awesome finish and feel, playability and action is incredible and probably just became my favourite guitar. 🤘
@@darrenmayes9869 Yep, that sounds like the ESP IC. Enjoy it :>
George thank you so much for the vid! Excellent info. I know when I was debating LTD or ESP there were NO videos detailing this. I'm sure you will have great success with these vids. I have the Iron Cross myself and it is phenomenal!!!
Thank you, I am glad you like it. The LTD is great too. I am going to have a hard time in the ESP vs LTD Iron Cross video 🤣
@@GeorgeVGuitars Agreed. The LTD is still my go to even though I have the ESP. The Collectible nature of the ESP makes me not want to beat it up too badly. I think I still have the stickers on it haha
@@ViperSRT1008 Play your guitars ;) Or else someone else will
Another great informative review George. You have a talent for this no question. Thanks again.
Thanks man, it's mostly hard work 🤣 There are people waaay talented than me but they are lazy :>
Amazing content! I have been guided by your reviews before buying one. I was lucky to find a Korean (LTD) unit remaining in east Europe. You are right all the way. The guitar is stunning.
Thank you so much. Greatful subscriber
Nice, which model year is it?
@@GeorgeVGuitars this is the S.N: W22031084
@@heztorm March of this year, nice. I am glad I helped 🖤
@@GeorgeVGuitars And still helping...I just figured the year. By the way, the ESP vs LTD Iron Cross video you made is very entertaining and educational. In fact, I decide to buy it while watching that video. So thanks, congratulations and keep on the great work!
@@heztorm I will do my best, hopefully not stoping anytime soon. 🎥
Great video!
About sound and playability, is it similar to the Truckster?
Thank you. Playability is similar, they are both Eclipse after all, but the finish and the Ebony fingerboard makes them quite different. The sound differences you can hear in this video, where I compare most of the modern Hetfield ESP guitars: ruclips.net/video/8oHpUolVG0c/видео.html
How much you paid for that deal my friend?
5000$ 5 years ago
@@GeorgeVGuitars and now it's officially 7329 EUR in Europe, but still the new ones can be purchased for about 6499 EUR. Even ESP KH-2 Vintage Distressed has a lower price than the ESP Iron Cross.
Ouch, that hurts :/
@@martin_uriel