ESP E-II Arrow SW

ESP E-II Arrow SW review

The ESP E-II Arrow SW is a Japanese-made, white V-style electric guitar with a neck-through-body construction, active EMG humbuckers, and an Original Floyd Rose tremolo. Its specification is aimed at players who want a fast-playing instrument with a high-output sound and a locking tremolo system. The unusual body shape is part of the appeal, but it also affects how comfortably the guitar sits when played seated.

The listed price is 2,859. The model has been available since April 2019 and ships with a case. Its alder body has no separate top, and black hardware contrasts with the Snow White finish. The three-piece maple neck runs through the body, with an ebony fingerboard and 24 stainless steel frets.

Construction and playability

The neck has a Thin U profile, a 42 mm nut width, and a 648 mm scale. The fingerboard radius is 305 mm. A locking nut works with the Floyd Rose tremolo to keep the strings secured during heavy tremolo use. Gotoh locking tuners are also fitted. The guitar comes strung with Elixir Nanoweb.009 to.042 strings.

Owner feedback describes the neck as especially comfortable and easy to play, with one reviewer comparing its feel favorably with other guitars they had used. Another reported that the instrument arrived set up in standard tuning with.009 strings, and that it could be adjusted for heavier strings and Drop C tuning. That player also reported setting a low action without fret buzz. These are individual experiences, not a guarantee that every instrument will arrive with the same setup.

The Arrow shape calls for some adjustment if you often play while seated. One owner noted that it was less comfortable in that position than more conventional guitar shapes. Buyers considering it as a main instrument should try the body style in their usual playing posture where possible.

Pickups and controls

The electronics consist of an EMG 81 humbucker at the bridge and an EMG 85 humbucker at the neck. Both pickups are active. Controls are deliberately simple: a volume knob and a three-way pickup selector. There is no listed tone control. An owner seeking the familiar EMG 81 character praised the sound and described the sustain as plentiful. The guitar is well suited to players looking for the direct, high-output response associated with these active pickups.

The small selector switch tips drew criticism from one owner, who found them easy to miss. That is a minor usability preference rather than a performance problem, but it is worth checking if you switch pickups frequently while playing.

Finish and quality checks

Feedback on build quality is strong overall, though not completely uniform. One owner compared this white E-II Arrow with two other E-II Arrow guitars they owned. Most of the finish impressed them, but they reported several small issues on the particular guitar they received: a broken volume knob, fret ends that were polished less carefully than on their other examples, and slight irregularities at the fingerboard binding and headstock tip. The owner suspected the knob damage happened during shipping, but could not confirm its cause.

A separate owner mentioned that the volume knob occasionally rubbed against the body, and that the plastic surround at the output jack protruded slightly. Their guitar otherwise arrived properly set up and was straightforward to adjust, including the neck relief, Floyd Rose, and intonation. The reports point to details worth inspecting rather than evidence that every E-II Arrow SW has these problems.

Check the controls, fret ends, binding, headstock, and output jack when the guitar arrives. If anything appears damaged or poorly finished, contact the seller promptly and discuss the available options before attempting repairs. At this price, careful inspection is reasonable. One owner kept their guitar despite the issues and still rated its sound, feel, and overall appearance highly.

Verdict

The ESP E-II Arrow SW combines an alder body, maple neck-through construction, ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, active EMG pickups, and an Original Floyd Rose tremolo. Owner reports support its reputation as a comfortable-playing guitar with a powerful sound, while also highlighting the Arrow's seated-playing compromise and the value of checking finish details on delivery. For players drawn to the V-style body and this pickup-and-tremolo setup, it offers a focused, high-spec package. Its shape and simple controls are best judged in person, and individual build details should be inspected rather than assumed.