ESP Eclipse - Fabulous or Fake?
ESP Eclipse - Fabulous or Fake?
Hi guys,
I've recently had my attention drawn to a 2007 Eclipse that someone is trying to shift. I've managed to get some photos from the vendor and have compared them to my own 2007 model. Lots of things look spot-on about the guitar, but others are a bit... Off, at least when compared to my own and others that I have seen.
First thing to say is that the serial number looks perfectly legitimate and the finish, headstock and binding seem right on. Four things though raise concerns:
1. No ESP 'circle' on the back of the headstock (though I seem to recall that that is not a universal ESP feature).
2. Grover machine heads, rather than the locking ones that I have on my 2006 (why would anyone make that swap?).
3. Rosewood board, rather than ebony. I can't recall ever having seen a 00s-era Eclipse that wasn't packing ebony.
4. The back electical cavity and plate are a different shape. Mine is a kind of squared, almost coffin-shaped configuration, whereas the offered one is very rounded, like a traditional Gibson.
Obviously I could tell a lot more by going and having a look, but there's some considerable journey time and a bit of expense involved, plus I am hardly an ESP expert, so I'd like to get a second (or more!) opinion before heading up there. So, from the images that I've attached, what do you guys think?
Thanks for any input.
D.
Thanks for the quick reply, Pushead.
That's pretty much what I was expecting. Just too many things weren't adding up about it (I forgot to mention the inlays, which look seriously crap, in my post). Happily though, I have my genuine one, so I can hardly mark myself down as really disappointed. I was just getting ESP-greedy!
Thanks again.
Thanks for the input guys. I reckon I'll be making an offer. If it's a fake, it appears to be one of the finest ever made and, as BDB says, it's probably the angle of the photographs warping the appearance a little.
Pushead, it's in the UK. However, I believe that the UK gets the same models as the USA, given that I have a 2006 already and that is definitely three pot.
Thanks again.
I knew she was not legit in the moment I bought, just for the price I paid (U$ 274,00) But I don't want to return... To be honest, I'm very happy with her, she is very beautiful, most than original...and I'm very glad with the sound that she makes.... Maybe someday I get money enough to buy the Eclipse E2 VBDB. I think I will get it in the year 3000
It's been posted here before. It's a fake.