NGD!! ESP Horizon.

[GJgo]

So for a while now I've wanted to pick up a passive P-up guitar, since everything else I've bought in the last 5 years has been active. I wanted something that I could get a single coil Strat type tone, but I didn't really want a Strat. I love that sound but I think the guitars are just blah. I'm an ESP guy, what can I say, their guitars just work for me- love the playability & fret work etc.. IMO a $1500 ESP blows away a $1500 Fender or Gibson. Anyway..

A local guy had this 2008 ESP NT-II w/ a SS serial up on CL for the last 3 months or so, I chatted with him a few times but got sidetracked by a IIC+ purchase. It was still there, and after a recent Guitar Center trip where I just wasn't feeling anything they had new in the store (though the Music Man Petrucci Majesty was damn fine) I gave this guy a call to come check it out. Needs some fretboard clean up, but fundamentally was very sound & I got it for $900 with the case. Score!

I've seen other guys talk about how much they liked these before. Also, there's a YT video out there of a guy absolutely KILLING it on one of these. https://youtu.be/RJECQwUuhHg To me the finish isn't my favorite but I figured I'd give it a shot. Right away the guitar felt like playing an old friend- the neck, frets, action are almost effortless. The coil tap gives me close enough to what I wanted with the single coil sound that I'm totally happy with it. With the pickups running hot, the guitar really grinds & the tone still has great note separation. Close to the gain of my EMGs but warmer. When you play the entire guitar reverberates, just like a good ESP should with great wood. Despite how light the guitar is it sounds fantastic. I have a feeling this axe is going to quickly move up my favorites list- it's so damn versatile. The only thing I can ding it for is it's a little sharp where the picking arm comes over the top edge, a radius there would make it perfect.

Anyway, I couldn't be happier right now. After playing so many guitars that you just know there's something about it that's just not what you want, feeling this one is awesome. Older ESPs are just the shit!

 

[halebox]

Nice! I like the dark color too

 

[Vin Diezel]

Congratulations! Good deal.
I bought essentially the same guitar 2 weeks ago, but mine was built in 2011. The Japanese Horizons have been my favourite guitars for years.

I still think ESP as a company is going in a direction now that I like a bit less less with E-II and ESP USA and all that.

http://www.espguitars.com/products/1698 ... es-guitars

https://www.amazon.com/ESP-Original-Hor ... n+original


The pricing also seems to get a bit out of hand.

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

Nice! I had the same one a few years back, great guitar.

 

[D-Rock]

Awesome axe, I've got the LTD equivalent with actives.
Do they call that colour root beer?

 

[Vin Diezel]

It's called dbsb, read - dark brown sunburst.

 

[GJgo]

Thanks guys. They also made one in a blue color, I would have LOVED one of those but it's all good.

I have some Gorgomyte cloth on the way cuz the frets need some cleanup, can't wait to do all that & get some fresh strings on it.

Fortunately older ESPs are pretty easy to find!

When I was at GC I almost almost bought one of these. It was a really really great guitar, but there's just something about set neck tone that I've never bonded with. I played it for a couple hours, but I couldn't shake the thought of why would I spend a grand on a new LTD when I could get an ESP for $900...
http://www.guitarcenter.com/ESP/EC-1000-Limited-Edition-Koa-Electric-Guitar.gc

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Really nice guitars. I always love the fretwork on these.

 

[Ventura]

Love this guitar - got mine - threw some PainKillers into it - and it's just flat out a killer axe.

I'm loving ESP so much as of late that I'm considering picking up some Eclipse models to jam & gig with.

Superb guitars. Mega congratz!!

 

[maddnotez]

I have the Blue 2011 and it's an amazing guitar.

Yours looks to be in very good shape and a good price.

I'd love another, I like the brown burst. Looks good.

 

[155]

I had the same guitar a while back sold it to a friend but it was one of the best playing guitars ive had...told him if he sells it I get dibs!

 

[JerEvil]

Man $900 seems like a great price! Congrats!

 

[Vin Diezel]

900 bucks is a joke.

 

[GJgo]

You probably don't want to hear how I got my OS Recto 4x12 for $200 then.

 

[garey77]

You probably don't want to hear how I got my OS Recto 4x12 for $200 then.

What a dick

 

[GJgo]

I cleaned up the frets with Gorgomyte & put on a set of new strings, cleaned the pots, and this guitar is awesome. I never expected this, but I think it's my second favorite guitar now. The TONE of this wood is unreal- sit with it with the horn in your chest, and when you strum chords both of your hands & your chest all vibrate. Freakin' cool. I've never felt another electric with this kind of resonance.

The only place I could ding the build is that the frets are slightly over hung, but it's not something you feel when you're playing it.

Anyway, if you ever have a chance to play one of these, do it.

 

[lessthan12]

Im Still hung up on my old original series Horizon thats at GC in warwick RI. Was actually there today trying to haggle them but the neck has gotten even worse. Its like an "s" shape now, it really is a shame because of how nice the top is. AT this point its almost unplayable...yet I still want it.
Nice one you get there

 

[Speeddemon]

Nice score!

Got the same axe in black (2010 model). I wasn't feeling the stock JB/'59, so in came the Custom5 Bridge (more beef and tightness, yet less pierce than the JB) and a Screamin' Demon in the neck. Way more versatile IMO, although the '59 could be considered to have more character than the Screamin' Demon in the neck.

I may want to check a '59 neck with A4 magnet one day. Or the JB in that guitar with an A8 mag.

 

[GJgo]

Alright, I did a playthrough of the NT-II with my JP-2C. Check it out!

https://youtu.be/5BW9oVVbu6o