ESP Vintage
ESP Vintage
Hey, just scored this ESP Traditional and was wondering if this is a late 70s early 80's ESP made in japan....anybody know?
Well, it's a little out of my knowledge range. Haven't studied their strats too much. If I had to take a stab at it though, based on the neck plate shape and taper, and the cavity cover shapes I would say more like early 90's??? But like I said, that's a pretty rough guess. I'm sure Pushead will stumble in here at some point and we'll see what he thinks.
I did a little more research as well. From what I read the 400 series was first for their traditional style strats and teles, which ran until about the end of the 80's. Then for a short period of time, the 400 series became the traditional series, which sounds like was about early 90's. Then, the tradional series became the vintage plus series from there out. So, as I initially thought, I believe your guitar is early 90's.
Nice guitar - I almost bought that exact one. But restrained myself out of fear of my wife. Its early 90's I think. The 400 series had a standard heel the Traditional got the the ESP cut heel, The vintage plus got the ESP cut heel and the Jumbo Frets. From your pictures I think the color is called Honey sunburst as it looks similar to my ESP Tele. I can't remeber exactly when they went from the tradtionals to the vintage plus. I take a look at my catalogs and see if I can narrow down a date for you. Looks like ash. That and the Transparent finish would have been an upgrades.
The traditional series ran from 1990- 1994
Although I am thinking something is not right. no pickguard and wrong pickups.
The traditional series had pickguards and only standard single coils.
To me this looks like a mid/late 90's The Mirage with a traditional series neck.
The sh100 pickups (neck and mid) and what is probably a Lh200 pickup (bridge )
aslo supports my suspicion. Still a very nice guitar.
I think the guitar you are thinking about is George's S custom . It has a floyd rose. and it is solid quilted maple.
this is mine which is similar- mine is only maple on the top, the main body is mahogany it has a rosewood board.
this is my - the mirage - its an ltd but the ESP's where available in the same configuration.
Notice the difference in the cutaways, I can't tell from your pictures wich way your cutaways look.
Detailed pics may help you in your quest for knowledge.