Modern Norlin Les Paul equivalent... ESP Eclipse II BB Three piece Maple neck

[harddriver]

This is spec'd out similar to the 3 piece Maple neck construction Norlin era LP's. If you gotta have a Gibson then you gotta pay up but this might be a workable option.

https://www.espguitars.com/products/17182-e-ii-eclipse-bb-blks
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In guitar design, details matter. It can be the small things that helps you and your instrument stand out in a crowded field. The ESP E-II Eclipse BB accomplishes this with great-looking thick silver-painted binding on its Black Satin finish. This guitar is more than good looking, though; it offers a set-thru neck joint for excellent playability, and an EMG 60/81 Brushed Chrome pickup set. High-end components on the E-II Eclipse BB include Dunlop Straploks, Gotoh locking tuners, and a Gotoh TOM bridge and tailpiece. Like all instruments in our E-II Series, the Eclipse BB is made in Japan at ESP’s Tokyo factory. Includes hardshell case.

• Specifications

CONSTRUCTION Set-Thru
SCALE 24.75"
BODY Mahogany
TOP Maple
NECK 3Pc Maple
FINGERBOARD Ebony
FINGERBOARD RADIUS 305mm(12")
FINISH Black Satin
NUT WIDTH 42mm
NUT TYPE Bone
NECK CONTOUR Thin U
FRETS/TYPE 22 XJ
HARDWARE COLOR Chrome
STRAP BUTTON Dunlop Straplok
TUNERS Gotoh Locking
BRIDGE Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece
NECK PU EMG 60
BRIDGE PU EMG 81
ELECTRONICS Active
ELECTRONICS LAYOUT Volume/Volume/Tone/Toggle Switch
STRINGSElixir Nanoweb Light (.010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046)
CASE EC GUITAR FORM FIT CASE
CASE INCLUDED Y

 

[glpg80]

It’s not cheap to own the real deal, most of the players are due for a refret and I’ve had to re-radius the fretboards (they’ve waved over the years or weren’t true from the factory), replace a shit 12th inlay, do paint restoration/waxing, hardware polishing/replacement, stainless refrets, and new bone nuts.

Absolutely worth it as they’re one of a kind and deliver with a blind ear test. I certainly won’t have the financial ability to ever do it again with student loans firing back up.

I like the option above but there’s obvious corners - the body and neck binding is painted and not real. Solid gig worthy guitar and at least it’s the recipe wood combination that works. But you’re right, it certainly won’t retain value compared to the real deal especially after they’ve been properly refretted and restored.

 

[DanTravis62]

It's not the real deal, but I'm glad they make it.

If they had a reindeer blue one, I'd buy it.

 

[harddriver]

It's a pity that they don't offer more color choices in this specific model. I wonder why that is the case? I just like Maple necks structurally is my reasoning... I like the idea of a belly cut on the upper body and a solid mahogany body non chambered with a thick maple cap...someone has pics of the pickups pulled on these ESP and the maple body caps are thick. I think these are around 8 pounds. These also are making full thickness bodies if you are into that traditional body LP thickness. I still need to actually play one as I'm not sure the thinner U shaped neck is my thing but I'd definitely rock one of these if the neck profile is acceptable to me.I paid like $1300 in 2001 for a new EBMM axis so in adjusted for inflation dollars $2K is about the same as what I paid in 2001 which was my last new guitar.

 

[ErikT]

Oh man sweet, I didn't realize these ones had maple necks.

 

[stratjacket]

Excuse my ignorance, what does the “BB” mean on these?

 

[DanTravis62]

It's a pity that they don't offer more color choices in this specific model. I wonder why that is the case?

Yeah it boggles my mind too. I would have bought one long ago if they did any other colors, probably. Especially that cool reindeer blue they do, and the more traditional finish options they sometimes do on E-IIs

 

[harddriver]

Excuse my ignorance, what does the “BB” mean on these?

I think I read it stands for Bold Binding
It could very well stand for this.......

 

[harddriver]

Yeah it boggles my mind too. I would have bought one long ago if they did any other colors, probably. Especially that cool reindeer blue they do, and the more traditional finish options they sometimes do on E-IIs

Yeah that Blue is quite stunning...... I just like solid colors for LP's.

 

[DanTravis62]

Yeah that Blue is quite stunning...... I just like solid colors for LP's.

Either way its hard to justify the expense when it only comes in the one finish

I already have a handful of black singlecuts specifically because companies always do these type of specs in that color.

 

[harddriver]

Either way its hard to justify the expense when it only comes in the one finish

I already have a handful of black singlecuts specifically because companies always do these type of specs in that color.

I fully agree they are really limiting their sales to people who like satin black finishes. I would also prefer a traditional binding as well. I'm not sure if I would purchase one of these new or not, used might be more palatable to the pocketbook. Now a gloss black with traditional binding you might convince me to pony up!

 

[DanTravis62]

I fully agree they are really limiting their sales to people who like satin black finishes. I would also prefer a traditional binding as well. I'm not sure if I would purchase one of these new or not, used might be more palatable to the pocketbook. Now a gloss black with traditional binding you might convince me to pony up!

Same, if a gloss black one was made I might be tempted, but a wine red or white gloss? TAKE MY MONEY

 

[the4thlast1]

So the difference with these from other Eclipse models is only the three piece maple neck ? What is the main benefit , stability ?

 

[bubucci]

BB stand for Bad-looking Binding You have to see it on Your own eyes. A ton of plastic around whole guitar. Cheap looking.
Soundwise any of Eclipses I owned doesn't sound like Les Paul. They have thinner body and they are closer to SG and maple neck add more snap/brightness.

 

[harddriver]

BB stand for Bad-looking Binding You have to see it on Your own eyes. A ton of plastic around whole guitar. Cheap looking. Soundwise any of Eclipses I owned doesn't sound like Les Paul. They have thinner body and they are closer to SG and maple neck add more snap/brightness.

Thanks for the real world comparison of the Eclipses. Were these all made in Japan Eclipses or LTD models?

Are they neck heavy like SG's?

I really don't care for the weight ratio's of SG's nor the tone so that comparison is educational. I was hoping that using quality mahogany and maple they could retain the LP fatness and shave some weight with some reduced thickness of the body especially with a nice heavy maple cap on top. I also still like the idea of the upper body contour on the back.

I'd still like to play a contoured body and the full thickness Eclipse just to satisfy my own curiosity.....

 

[Geo]

Looks like a fun guitar but I would have to change the pickups immediately.

 

[Metalhex]

I'm done with the satin finishes. It's just cheap looking, and cheap cost wise too.

 

[harddriver]

I'm done with the satin finishes. It's just cheap looking, and cheap cost wise too.

Yeah not a big fan of the satin either especially on a quality guitar. If you really like satin more power to ya.

 

[Metalhex]

Yeah not a big fan of the satin either especially on a quality guitar. If you really like satin more power to ya.

I'll take a satin neck though for sure, but not the body.

 

[glpg80]

2 bills and there’s not a single color option, no natural neck option, no flamed/quilted quality top. They’re all likely garbage bodies leftover, alongside ugly maple neck 2nd stock blanks hence no color options but black satin for the whole gamut.

The fake binding is gaudy. I personally don’t like it. Again for 2.5k out the door just save another 1.5k and get the real deal. Save another $500 and you can have one completely refurbished/refretted and ready to go.