New (Old) Guitar Day: ESP M-II Deluxe

[mrp5150]

I owned this guitar about a year ago. Decided I wanted to buy it back so I did. Thanks Inearthed!

But anyways, it's really nice for the price. I might try a Duncan Custom in the bridge but the JB sounds a lot better after I raised it up a bit. Here are some pics...

 

[jkdsteve]

LOL..won't bother calling you out on the 'average' description you gave it then

Did you sell the IM strat again? What didn't you get on with it if so? (For me it was the neck profile)

 

[mrp5150]

LOL..won't bother calling you out on the 'average' description you gave it then

Did you sell the IM strat again? What didn't you get on with it if so? (For me it was the neck profile)

Well I'm sure a lot of people have played an M-II. It's your typical bolt on alder super strat with a maple neck and board. Plays better than any other ESP I've had and doesn't feel like plastic, which I think a lot of them do. Neck is pretty thin and everything is solid. Lil '59 sounds really nice in this one and like I mentioned, the JB sounds thicker after I raised it. Oh and the case is really nice and fluffy inside.

But yeah, I sold the Maiden Strat to a guy on another forum. One of the many who had called dibs on it. The neck was fine for me, if not a bit too glossy though. Nothing in particular made me sell it, just decided I wanted something else.

 

[jkdsteve]

I've played ESP M-II...fantastic playing guitar in that price range...just not had chance to own one...would look sahweet next to my ESP KH-2 skully

How's it compare to the Charvel DeMartini you had?

 

[mrp5150]

How's it compare to the Charvel DiMartini you had?

I liked the feel and shape of the DeMartini neck more than this one. That thing was perfect really. It sounded a bit heavier too. Only thing I didn't love about that guitar was that it had no neck pickup.

 

[EvilBatman]

Love the small dot inlays on those. One of my most persistent temptations has been the new ESP M-IIs with Duncans and the Maple board since they released them a couple of years ago.

Congrats!

BTW,

How would you rate it tone wise and playability wise against the Cap TAT you had?

 

[mrp5150]

Love the small dot inlays on those. One of my most persistent temptations has been the new ESP M-IIs with Duncans and the Maple board since they released them a couple of years ago.

Congrats!

BTW,

How would you rate it tone wise and playability wise against the Cap TAT you had?

The TAT's are some of my favorite guitars ever. I definitely think they play and sound better. Much heavier and much thicker. I wish they were under $700 though.

 

[EvilBatman]

Yeah I hear ya' on the $700 part. I called up Guitar Asylum thinking they would be in the $1500-$1600 dollar range and then the guy quoted me $2300. I heard the sound of screeching breaks going off in my head at the point.

I'm sure they're awesome guitars but for that much, we're getting into Anderson/Suhr territory. So now I'm stuck trying to decide between going for a Cap, a Suhr Modern, or replacing an Anderson that I sold years ago which has been the only piece of gear I've ever had any regrets of selling. Oh well, enough of my bitching. Enjoy the M man.

 

[mrp5150]

Yeah I hear ya' on the $700 part. I called up Guitar Asylum thinking they would be in the $1500-$1600 dollar range and then the guy quoted me $2300. I heard the sound of screeching breaks going off in my head at the point.

I'm sure they're awesome guitars but for that much, we're getting into Anderson/Suhr territory. So now I'm stuck trying to decide between going for a Cap, a Suhr Modern, or replacing an Anderson that I sold years ago which has been the only piece of gear I've ever had any regrets of selling. Oh well, enough of my bitching. Enjoy the M man.

I've owned 7 or 8 TAT's and never paid more than $1600 for any of 'em. Definitely better to buy those used instead of new. They're definitely in the same league as Suhr and Anderson and for low tunings they're really tough to beat.