Help id. old Strat-"NY 120" neck
Help id. old Strat-"NY 120" neck
Hi, I've attached some photos. I was only able to upload two at this time. I will add the neck pocket shot next. Here's a copy of what I emailed to ESP tech info...
Hi,
Atached are 3 photos of an old ESP strat-type guitar. I would like to idetify the model, year, etc.
Is it an early parts guitar?
What can you tell me about the grey neck decal? It says "ESP SERIES", is over the finish, and appears to be crudly cut out. Was there once something above "SERIES"?
Do the markings on the neck help? It says "NY-120" in pencil. What does this mean?
I can't find a serial number on the guitar.
Do you know what kind of body wood?
Is it a nitro finish?
The guitar is very light and plays great!
I bought it on ebay about 10 years ago.
What did/does ESP call this color?
The guitar, I'd say, is basically a '57 reissue type. Single-ply pickguard, etc.
It has a V-neck that is very narrow.
Thanks 1point8t, you confirmed all my suspicians.
cklingo
Whoa, holy post revival!
That's definitely an odd one... I've seen a couple with 'ESP Series' on the headstock, but I don't know if they're an actual model that was released, or just a decal that was added at some point. I'm gonna say more than likely that's a 48th St. guitar... don't know about a '57 model since it has 22 frets, but who knows. Definitely diggin' the looks of that one, I think it's Lake Placid Blue in color... very nice. Probably alder body, not sure if it's nitro or poly finished, but nitro would probably have cracks in it by now so that would be a dead giveaway.
I have one of these. I bought it new in late 1983 or early 1984. Not sure if it is 83 or 84 because I think I saw it at the store in 83 while taking lessons and possibly put it on layaway and bought in 84. Mine is red with a maple neck. Headstock is black letters "ESP Series", no logo on the the neckplate just a 5 digit serial number starting with 0. Neck heel is penciled with "NY-23" I think but haven't had it apart in 20 years. Actually haven't adjusted the truss rod in that long and the neck is still perfectly straight an has the best action I've ever had on a Strat type guitar. It has original vintage size frets. Not sure if it is Japan or possibly USA made. I've seen a few of the 400 Series but I've never seen another one that just had "Series" on the headstock.
Hi Matt. Thanks for the info. Apparently our guitars are siblings. Does your headstock decal look like mine? As you can see, mine is above the finish and looks like a model name could have been cut off above SERIES. I'm wondering if back in the day the shop offered a service to piece together instruments from parts, including logos. Mine plays like a dream also. Pretty narrow neck with vintage frets. Thanks again for the info.
Sounds like a 48th Street guitar. I'm pretty sure that they had a large stock of different necks and bodies, and customers could pick which neck, body, hardware, etc they wanted and have it built. I have an old 48th St. body that has 'NY 12-8-88' written in pencil in the neck pocket. ESP housed their main US operation out of that location from '88-91 before moving back out to Cali. Pretty cool time era for the company, but hard to track down exact build dates and whatnot. Please post some pics!