ESP E-II Arrow BLK

ESP E-II Arrow BLK review

The ESP E-II Arrow BLK is a purpose-built electric guitar with a V-shaped alder body, a black finish, and hardware selected for heavy playing. Its 648 mm scale and 24-fret ebony fingerboard give it the familiar reach of a full-scale instrument, while the neck-through maple construction puts the neck at the center of the design. The package includes a case, an important practical detail for an instrument with this distinctive body shape.

At a listed price of 2859, this is a substantial purchase. The player feedback is strongly positive about playability, sound, balance, and sustain. One owner also reported finish flaws and a poorly assembled tremolo on their particular guitar. That experience should not be treated as proof of a wider quality issue, but it makes a careful inspection worthwhile at this price.

Construction and playability

The body is alder, with no separate top, and the maple neck runs through the body. The ebony fingerboard has a 305 mm radius and 24 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets. Reviewers repeatedly single out the fingerboard as exceptionally quick, with easy access to the upper frets. One owner said the neck remained comfortable through the 24th fret, while another found the instrument well suited to extended recording sessions.

The Arrow's angular outline might suggest a guitar that is awkward to position, but owner reports describe it as balanced on the lap and comfortable between the legs. That matters for a V-shaped instrument, especially for players who practice or record while seated. Individual comfort will still depend on playing position and body size, so trying the guitar in person is useful if you are unsure about the shape.

Reports also praise the overall fit and finish, describing a well-built instrument with good materials and precise dimensions. There is a meaningful caveat: one buyer found thin areas in the black paint where the wood color showed through. The same buyer emphasized that this was their specific guitar, not a confirmed recurring defect. Check the finish under good lighting when the instrument arrives.

Active EMG pickups and controls

The listed pickup configuration is an active EMG 81 humbucker at the bridge and an active EMG 85 humbucker at the neck. A single volume control and three-way toggle switch keep the control layout simple. Player feedback describes the sound as a strong fit for heavy music, with enough definition for rhythm parts and a singing lead character from the neck pickup. One reviewer also praised its clean tones, describing them as clear and bell-like.

These impressions point to a focused setup rather than a broad range of onboard controls. There is no separate tone control listed, so players who like to shape brightness from the guitar itself may want to account for that. For metal rhythm work, alternate picking, and lead playing, owners found the pickup combination convincing. The instrument was also described as suitable for both live use and studio work.

Floyd Rose tremolo and tuning

The guitar has a Floyd Rose tremolo, Gotoh machine heads, and black hardware. Several owners report stable tuning, including during string bends and frequent tremolo use. One player described the tremolo as a strong match for the instrument's metal focus, while another praised the guitar's sustain.

Experiences were not unanimous. One review described serious tuning problems and found metal shims under the tremolo saddles during disassembly. The owner said the instrument required setup work before it played properly. This was an individual report, and other players specifically praised tuning stability. Still, a floating tremolo depends on careful setup, and it is sensible to check its operation, return to pitch, and saddle assembly rather than assuming every example will arrive perfectly adjusted.

Verdict

The ESP E-II Arrow BLK combines an alder V-shaped body, a maple neck-through construction, an ebony fingerboard, active EMG pickups, and a Floyd Rose tremolo. Its strongest case is the reported playing feel: fast access across the fingerboard, comfortable upper-fret reach, solid balance for its shape, and a sound that owners associate with heavy music. A hard case is included, while a gig bag is not listed.

Quality feedback is largely enthusiastic, but the reported paint and tremolo issues deserve attention given the price. Those complaints concern one buyer's instrument, not an established pattern. A prospective owner should inspect the finish and verify the tremolo setup on delivery. For players seeking a fast-playing, sharply styled guitar for metal, the Arrow BLK has a compelling specification and notably positive playability reports, provided the individual instrument checks out.