ESP Maverick is back

[stratjacket]

Very cool they brought the Maverick back. But weird they made the E-II version at 25.5” scale and the LTD version at 24.75” scale. The E-II is also list at $3200.
I own 6 Caparison Horus guitars at 24.75” scale. As I’ve gotten older, I love and play that scale length 95% of the time, but it’s hard to find in a super strat. So I was really excited at first until I saw the EII at 25.5”.

With 27 frets it places the neck Pickup about where the middle pickup would be. Caparison designed the SH-27F pickup to be in that position but still sound like a hot neck pickup placement. I’ve tried multiple other neck pickups in that position on my Horus guitars and they don’t sound good to me, only the SH-27F sounds natural. So using standard pickups on the ESP Maverick with that placement, I just wonder why they’d do that.

They look badass though.

E-II VERSION

LTD VERSION

 

[ChurchHill]

Good question... I've always preferred 24.75" scale lengths and you're right, almost impossible to find in a superstrat.

I've got an old Charvel Fusion, which is short scale with the neck pickup in about the same position as the LTD above. I put an EMG SA in it and am happy with it. Doesn't sound like a Strat, doesn't exactly sound like anything else, but it sounds good.

 

[cardinal]

The LTD is the proper 24.75" scale. I might get one of those since I've been impressed with the Korean LTDs.

I've been seriously impressed by all the E-IIs I've played, but I'm not sure about these. The scale is wrong (hopefully it doesn't neck dive as a result) and I'm not sure I like the finishes.

 

[Code001]

Love Mavericks. Hate that they made it 25.5'' for the ESP E-II model. Should have just stayed committed to the original design, IMO. It's not that much of a difference, and it helped make it a bit more unique.

 

[Iron Dog]

I'm happy the E-II Mavericks are 25.5", which is my preference. I also dig that it looks like the E-II has scalloped frets (20-27). I dig the E-II finishes.

 

[ChurchHill]

I've got a Standard Series Horizon FR-27 that isn't much different outside the carved top. It's scalloped above the 12th fret. Think it was based on the Kiko Loureiro signature, but it's not that. If it was 24.75" scale, it'd be about perfect. If the E-II Maverick was short scale, I'd go for that.

 

[jchrisf]

I'd love to have a 24.75" super strat. I might have to get the LTD. I've also considered the Kramer Night Swan but was always curious about the deal with that humbucker in middle position.. why'd they do that? I don't like it but maybe there is a good reason for it?

 

[cardinal]

I'd love to have a 24.75" super strat. I might have to get the LTD. I've also considered the Kramer Night Swan but was always curious about the deal with that humbucker in middle position.. why'd they do that? I don't like it but maybe there is a good reason for it?

I can't think of a reason for it. I have NightSwan and just removed the middle pickup because it's just in the way.

 

[jchrisf]

I can't think of a reason for it. I have NightSwan and just removed the middle pickup because it's just in the way.

How is it otherwise?

 

[Mad Axe]

I agree with everyone else about wishing the E-II was 24.75” scale. Still cool too see it come back though, I love my original Maverick and at least there are some more options out there if I ever want another.

 

[stratjacket]

I agree with everyone else about wishing the E-II was 24.75” scale. Still cool too see it come back though, I love my original Maverick and at least there are some more options out there if I ever want another.

Let me know first if you ever sell it

 

[Mad Axe]

Let me know first if you ever sell it

That one is on the “never sell” list. I already sold it once, which I regretted greatly, and was lucky enough to get it back. I never used it much when I first owned it because it had problems with the wiring and tremolo. When I got it back I basically restored it and now that it’s fully functional it’s one of my favorite guitars.

 

[WizardAmpIphoneClip]

That E-II logo is so gay

 

[cardinal]

How is it otherwise?

The OG NightSwan has a very narrow nut and tiny frets. I've had mine refretted with jumbos and don't mind the nut width, but I could see how some people would find it uncomfortable.

I think the new ones have jumbo frets already and a normal nut width.

Also, mine at least has some neck dive. But thankfully it's very light, so I added some fishing weights on the control cavity and use a cotton strap and it's fine and still a comfortable weight. Not sure if the new ones neck dive.

But this is why I'd worry about a 25.5" scale Maverick neck diving it they just make the neck longer without thinking about it otherwise.

 

[jchrisf]

Is the one he pulls off the wall at 10:17 (should queue up) an old one?

 

[cardinal]

Is the one he pulls off the wall at 10:17 (should queue up) an old one?

That's a current production Original Series Maverick, which has specs similar to the LTD we're getting (bolt on, 24.75" scale).

I get the impression that Americans get a lot of input into the E-II line, and I suspect that is why we are getting an E-II Maverick that is not very Maverick like.

 

[jchrisf]

That's a current production Original Series Maverick, which has specs similar to the LTD we're getting (bolt on, 24.75" scale).

I get the impression that Americans get a lot of input into the E-II line, and I suspect that is why we are getting an E-II Maverick that is not very Maverick like.

So the original series is not sold in the states?

 

[glpg80]

I like that the E-II is 25.5” which is better for D standard and downtuned guitars. I also like the cutout on the E-II.

I’m really interested in this one. Always missed my M-II after I sold it

 

[cardinal]

So the original series is not sold in the states?

Well there's what they list on the USA website (not much) and then there's what dealers can order (which seems to be any of it).

Just prepare yourself for a long wait (last year, the lead time was 2 years) and the price (I wouldn't be surprised if that yellow Maverick is close to $5000 from a US dealer).

 

[Kagami]

Well there's what they list on the USA website (not much) and then there's what dealers can order (which seems to be any of it).

Just prepare yourself for a long wait (last year, the lead time was 2 years) and the price (I wouldn't be surprised if that yellow Maverick is close to $5000 from a US dealer).

Other interesting thing is the E-II doesn't have the radiused body cut on the back like the regular maverick model does.