The ESP Guitar Company

Mii

Yeah, where did you buy it from now?

I get the idea that he's in the UK, definitely send it back to the shop if it's not up to standard.

Nope thats about right. I'd put the MII UC on par with the soloists and custom series and a DK2M on par with the best LTD's.
A DK1 would be on par with the MII and a KV2 or WR1 on par with the custom series.

The guitar is being replaced, new one should be with me next week...will let you know how this one fares!

Apparently this is the last one in ESP UK have in stock.

A question for you - are the guitars of this quality usually setup OK at the factory or is shops setup necessary?

Wow, you had really bad luck there. This one had never had any problems like that with ESP, or even higher end LTD guitars. Setup should be good on those guitars, but when they're sent from Japan etc, they go through different climate changes and stuff, so the store should do a setup when it arrives aswell.

The replacement is apparently the last one ESP UK have in stock.... it had better be perfect...or sh1t will fly!

Can someone post a close up of how lockin nuts should look please. Cheers guys....help ease my pain LOL.

Quick fix maybe...

But, the ESP M-II is by no means a budget guitar and as you mentioned in your post Iwould not expect this low level of quality control. One thing I have noted... there was no quality checked/controlled sticker on the reverse of the guitar body...should there be one? Remember, I am based in the UK so am not 100% sure if it makes a difference.

Here's an update for you peeps.

My replacement has arrived - the locking nuts are OK...but there are other woes:

1. The volume knob refused to turn initially, I undid the locking screw on the knob and remounted it and all is now good.

2. Paint job - again!! Bridge mounting screws - where one enters into the thread on the guitar body paint has flaked off and I can see bare wood!

3. Around the tremolo arm amount (in the OFR bridge) the black nickel plating has bubbles where the threaded mount has been inserted into the body of the bridge.

As you guys know, this guitar aint cheap and I am expecting it to be at least free of minor issues - after all, if I was selling this on in it's current state I would have to mention points 2 and 3 to any prospective buyer and that just aint right!

It should be without any quality floors whatsoever...

Am I being picky here?

Am I being picky here?
No. At the price you payed for a new product it should be to your expectations.

Well...the original one I had (with the ropey locking nut) has now been returned to the UK distributer....to see if they can sort it out. To be honest, this is a last ditch effort on the part of both the shop and the supplier - *restock not scheduled to September!!

Just out of curiosity Piney - how would they be able to reposition the locking nuts? I thought that there's no room for adjustment on them...

ARGHHHHHhhhh

The replacement doesn't actually sound THAT bad, maybe someone kicked the case around during delivery.
I bought a Jackson SL2H recently, and the first one I got was poorly made, bridge route being way too big for the OFR and the pickup routes completely misaligned. Sent it back and got a brand new and well cut piece this time. Although the volume knob was jumped off the potentiometer at some point and scratched the body surface a bit. I don't mind - it may as well look a little worn and "experienced", doesn't effect the playability. And to consider, here in Europe the SL2H costs over a 1000 euros more than the M-II, I'd expect perfect craftsmanship from the start. Now it's all good, and I guess I'll have to buy an M-II to accompany the Soloist - I'm not so afraid of little glitches in the setup :)

I suppose it is all relative...for me spending £1k on a guitar is a significant step up from my sh1tty Aria Pro II which is probably now classified as an antique. Well, there's an update on this too....ESP have shipped 2 new spangly M-IIs from Japan especially to meet the need for a replacement. I believe the bulk shipments aren't due in the UK for some months. I had toyed with the idea of a refund but am holding out for a decent one...

Recently plated a used Caparison TAT II and all....that would have been the alternative if this replacement had fallen through.

Another opinion.

I prefer Jacksons over Esp's only because I haven't found the exact one I'm looking for. But after playing many many Jackson's and Esp's I say if you're getting a double cut guitar with a Floyd rose and a bolt on neck Jackson's are alot better of a choice because the Duncan designed pickups are alot better than the Esp, and the woods of Jackson's are IMO alot better than Esp.

ROFL

Low end jacksons fail on so many levels....