Hands-On Review - E-II Eclipse vs ESP Standard Eclipse

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Hands-On Review - E-II Eclipse vs ESP Standard Eclipse

The introduction of the E-II brand to the ESP family was met with quite a bit of, well let's call it hesitation.  The reason for the change doesn't matter at this point.  ESP Standard is gone and there is E-II to replace it.


I was one of many, who said that I'd probably not get an E-II guitar when used ESP Standards were plentiful in the used market.  But I found a fairly good deal on a used E-II Eclipse (in a color and price that I don't often find used ESPs) so I thought I'd give it a try.  I've had it few weeks, and thought I'd give my impressions.



The Good:

My immediate reaction was good.  There was an immediate familiar feeling.  If someone had put the guitar in my hands and had never shown me the headstock, I would have said "yep, another ESP Eclipse."  The neck size, shape, controls, even the weight are what I'm used to.  (Though I've played a few really light Eclipses, mostly those are LTDs.)

The sound is also what I'm used to.  Granted, it's another guitar with EMGs, and while guitars will sound different, you pretty much know what to expect.

The Gotoh locking tuners are very nice feeling.  I've only done one string change with them (previous owner used very light strings, and I like heavy gauges) so I won't say they're hands-down better than Sperzels or the old Gotoh locking types, but I like them very much.  I also like the Schaller strap lock buttons as stock (I don't know if they come with the locking mechanism for the strap, if they do, the previous owner held-out on me.)  The Tone-Pros locking bridge and stop bar are great.

The Less Good:

The fretboard.  Ignore, for a second, that in this color I'd prefer an ebony fretboard from an aesthetic point-of-view.  The rosewood is very light.  This could just be the piece on my sepeific guitar, but looking at the photos on the ESP product page, and the videos linked from there, they all look very light.  It just seems off to me.  Especially when compared to the rosewood boards two of my other Eclipses.

(I wasn't able to get a good picture of fretboard vs fretboard in the same shot.  I'll put one in when I get a chance to shoot in better light tomorrow.)

While we're dealing with the neck, the inlay material has also changed.  This E-II is a 2014 model, and my most modern ESP Standard Eclipse is from 2009.  At some point (perhaps even when they were branded as ESP) they changed the material from something that looks like shell (I doubt it's actually mother of pearl) to a perloid.  Again, it's a personal perspective thing, but to me it just seems like something that belongs on a lower-quality guitar.


 


Added 11/30/15

Trying to keep as fair as possible, I wanted to share this:

Above I noted that one of the "less good" items I pointed out was the perloid inlay on the E-II, which was different than the inlay material on my ESP Standard Eclipses.  My most modern ESP is a 2009, but after searching a few auctions, I noticed that there was perloid inlays on ESP Standard Eclipses as old as 2009.  The change in inlay material was not something done during the switch to the E-II brand, but at least several years before the end of the ESP Standard brand.

Not sure when or why the change was made, or why my 2009 is different from the auction guitar, but I figured I should share what I've found.

Still on the inlays, there's a chip on the corner of the first-fret inlay.  I bought the guitar used, so I'm willing to believe that this wasn't something from the factory, but the filling material is level with the fretboard and inlay.  There isn't a divot where the missing part of the inlay should be.  The photo below looks like there would be a recess, but my finger nail scrapes right over it.  It's level.


Added 12/2/15

A few more days with the guitar, and I realized that there's another thing to add to the "Less Good" list.  The string spacing on the nut is fine, but the slots are all shifted toward the high E string.  This causes the high E to sit very close to the edge of the fretboard in the lower frets.

I noticed this after doing the setup on the guitar, but I thought that I might have put the bridge on the opposite way.  Perhaps it was because of that, that the string was at a weird angle, but no such luck.

I took the guitar in to have a new nut installed.  Annoying, but such is life.

In fairness, over the years on the ESP forum, I've read of enough people having to replace nuts on fairly new LTDs and ESP Standards as well.


My Conclusion:

I played the E-II and a few of the ESP Standards back-to-back and they feel very similar.  As I said above, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between any of them if I was blindfolded and someone put them into my hands (except for the knobs).  It's just the aesthetic that gets me.  I know the things I find less good about the guitar are mostly personal preference, but to me it makes the guitar look like something lower-quality.  I expect light fretboards and perloid inlays on my LTD EC-401b, I expect them on my friends EC-1000, but I don't expect them on a guitar at this price point.

It's a very nice guitar.  I'll keep it around.  But as I mentioned in another thread in the E-II forum, I'm attached to the brand.  I'll still take a used ESP Standard over a similar E-II.  Not because the E-II isn't a quality guitar, but because the ESP brand holds more value to me.

As always, your mileage may vary.  It's a review worth nearly what you've paid for it.  Please consult a physician before beginning any guitar related activity.  Thank you, drive through.

My Qualifications:



Not that everything written on the internet isn't already 100% fact, or written by someone with experience in the subject matter, but sometimes people are leary of reviews.  I've played guitar for nearly 30 years; written, recorded, gigged, YouTubed, Djented, repaired, built, the whole nine-yards.  I've owned ESP guitars since the late 90s and everything from 200 level LTD guitars to Custom Shop ESPs.  ESP made guitars make up nearly half of my collection.


Pushead

And since no-one asked, I thought I'd leave this here.

Things I'd change:

1) I prefer the back and neck color match the top color instead of being black.

2) Ebony fretboard.  In this color, it just works better, to me.  The same goes for the See-Through black model.  The Vintage Black already has ebony.  The rest can stay rosewood.

3) I know many people prefer it stock, but I played 3 knob M-II guitars long before I ever played a 3 knob Eclipse.  The bridge volume should be in the middle, not closest to the bridge.  I changed it already on mine, but pick one layout and stick with it!

4) Find some way to make a script style E-II logo.  The block logo on this guitar feels wrong.

Jeremy D.

Great review!  You are one of the ppl on this forum I can trust with advice.  I'm totally with you about the EII logo it needs to change and script would be a good way to go.  Same with get rid of those weird diagonal block lines on the headstock.  Something about them just looks cheap to me.  I also agree with the fretboard.  I like rosewood but no doubt ebony would just look much better or a real dark rosewood.  On another note your guitar collection is awesome!  I'm so jelous!  That JH-V is one of my most favorite guitars of all time!  Too bad ESP cant make gibson style Vs (and Exp for that matter) without pickguards anymore.  The V, the EXP, and the Oujia guitars are all on my dream guitar list!  You have great taste in instruments thats forsure!

Rikki Tikki Tavi

Good post, and I read it with interest as I have an E-II Eclipse also. The strap locks come as standard, mine did anyhow so maybe the previous owner you speak of hung on to them, or something. Surely you can buy them separately? It's my first ESP of any kind and I can't speak highly enough of it but you clearly have more ESP's to make comparisons. I've had mine three months now and I've played it everyday. Will certainly buy another ESP at some point. Great guitars!!

Pushead

Yeah, I already bought a set of the strap ends on the strap I use with the guitar.  It's not that big of a deal.  I love that they come as standard equipment on the guitar.  All of the hardware on the guitar is great.

Just on a lark, I did a bit of photoshoppery to one of the ESP script logos to see what E-II might look like in script.  Not sure how I feel about it. 



For me, I don't mind the styled diamond on the headstock. I also like the color matching headstock.

Rikki Tikki Tavi

Not sure at all about script lettering, excellent photoshop job though. I like the diamond shape on the headstock. Given all the headstock opinions going around at the moment it's good to see them next to each other. Dumb question maybe but, how do you fit the strap locks?

Rikki Tikki Tavi

What's the blue E-II headstock look like with script lettering? You know, if you fancy something to do....

Pushead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUvlOu5o_QY

You can start around 2:40.  It's not a great video, but it'll give you an idea of what to do.  It's pretty straight-forward when you see how to do it.

Rikki Tikki Tavi

OK, thanks! Will take a look. Cheers.

Henty H.

I have a couple of ESP'S, but all of them standards and horizons.  Had my eye on a EII Eclipse but just could not bring myself to pull the trigger on the deal.  So I have ever since been wondering if I made a mistake... Somehow this review makes me feel a hell of a lot better.  I will rather keep an eye out for a good second hand standard. Sorry but for that money I want the logo.

Pushead

Trying to keep as fair as possible, I wanted to share this:

Above I noted that one of the "less good" items I pointed out was the perloid inlay on the E-II, which was different than the inlay material on my ESP Standard Eclipses.  My most modern ESP is a 2009, but after searching a few auctions, I noticed that there was perloid inlays on ESP Standard Eclipses as old as 2009.  The change in inlay material was not something done during the switch to the E-II brand, but at least several years before the end of the ESP Standard brand.

Not sure when or why the change was made, or why my 2009 is different from the auction guitar, but I figured I should share what I've found.

Patrick C.

Thanks for the posts. They have been informative.

I've been looking for a new guitar and I seen the E-II Eclipse is a step up the from the EC-1000.

From the specs on esp's website, the figures dont add up. Realistically, what makes this guitar cost double of my from my EC-1000?  And from what I read it doesnt add up to many people as well.

I agree with you Pushead, I would of expected a neck thru and a ebony fretboard atleast and or better inlays.

So my take is why move a little for a big cost.

Pushead

A few more days with the guitar, and I realized that there's another thing to add to the "Less Good" list.  The string spacing on the nut is fine, but the slots are all shifted toward the high E string.  This causes the high E to sit very close to the edge of the fretboard in the lower frets.

I noticed this after doing the setup on the guitar, but I thought that I might have put the bridge on the opposite way.  Perhaps it was because of that, that the string was at a weird angle, but no such luck.

I took the guitar in to have a new nut installed.  Annoying, but such is life.

In fairness, over the years on the ESP forum, I've read of enough people having to replace nuts on fairly new LTDs and ESP Standards as well.

I've added this note and the previous ones to the original post and noted the dates.

Pushead

Re: Patrick C. "So my take is why move a little for a big cost."

That's always an interesting consideration to me; when is it worth moving "up" to a higher price/level guitar?  (Maybe it's interesting to me because I'm a guitar nerd.)

I think it's a fairly personal decision as to when you stop really hearing/feeling a difference with the guitar, and when you're just paying more money for looks or name.  As I said in the OP, I've played a long time, and have had many, many guitars in my life.  For me, I think I could really be plenty satisfied playing 400 level LTD guitars.  They feel good, they sound good, and they've delivered every time I've played one.  But when I play a 1000 level LTD, I notice that it plays better and feels better (to me).  It happens again as I move to my ESP Standards and then to the Custom Shop guitars.  I feel the difference, and when considering if/when I want something new and how much I'd like to spend, I can justify it to myself.

And, for good or ill, looks and brand name factor into what makes a guitar cool to me.  It's an interesting question, though, if I'd pick the E-II over the LTD.  I suspect I probably would spend a bit more for the E-II than the EC-1000.  I'd have to think if that would be the same if they had stuck with LTD Elite instead of renaming it E-II.

Nathan S.

Stumbled into the Eii forum on a whim. Good review Pus, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that thinks the volume knobs on the eclipses should be in the order of the pickups, I switch all of mine around as well.

Ammar

Excellent review pushead.....

 

thanks for sharing and I agree with the sentiment of the ESP brand value.....simply iconic.

Steve g.

i was just watching live at namm and how esp listens to its customers. ok .. first I've always looked at ESP as THE best guitar maker in the world i have meny.... just hot a eclipse 2011 yesterday. i still just can not get why the E2 logo i have usa gibsons and thay say gibson on it. again the standard line was the best guitar line in the world by far.... if i get a chevy it better say chevy.... same here!!!!!!!!!  just saying it was not broke why change. every one i know now looks for the old standards on line. ive seen some of the e2s thay just seem like old ltds. i love you ESP.    just listen .... i think you would sell more with an esp logo!!!!!!!!!!

Pushead

What about the Chevys that say Cadillac on them?

Trust me, I get it.  But ESP has decided that only their top quality (Custom Shop made) guitars will be called ESP.  Their Japanese made production line guitars are now E-II, which is the rebranded ESP Standard line.  You don't have to like it, but that's how it is.

Sammael757

I swear I'm not trolling (I guess I am necroing though :-P ), but In the best interests of accuracy, a Chevy that says Cadillac isn't a great example; both companies are owned by GM and Cadillac is actually at the top of GMs hierarchy :-P That's like saying "an ESP that says Schecter." In both cases, a parent company owns the subsidiaries, but both subsidiaries in each example have their own separate operation, QC, chain of command, manufacturing plants, etc.

In the spirit of what you meant, a better example would be: Chevy decided they were going to re-brand and only keep their top tier sports cars branded with the Chevy name and everything else would be re-labled C-IIs ("the all new C-II Camaro starting at $35k...wtf?!" :-P). In this example though, there would probably be an even larger an outcry from brand-loyal consumers (if only because a majority of the population drives in the US, but I'd say less than 25% play guitar beyond experimentation). Seriously, someone driving a supercharged Camaro with a body customization kit and their "Calvin taking a leak on a Ford emblem" sticker-level enthusiast would come unglued :-P

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