ESP E-II Eclipse BLKS

ESP E-II Eclipse BLKS review

The ESP E-II Eclipse BLKS is a black-finished, single-cut electric guitar built around a mahogany body and maple top. Its three-piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and pair of EMG humbuckers make for a familiar high-output specification, while the included special gig bag adds practical value for transport. The model has been available since June 2024, with item number 574421 and a listed price of 2699. No currency is specified in the supplied pricing data.

The available player feedback is positive but comes with an important caveat: the owner says this was their first guitar in a very long time, so they do not have a current instrument for direct comparison. They describe the guitar as fantastic overall and report that its pickups work well through a Boss Katana 100 Gen 3. That is useful real-world context, though it does not establish how the instrument compares with other guitars or amplifiers in a controlled test.

Construction and feel

The body combines mahogany with a maple top, a traditional pairing that gives the instrument its stated materials without making the tone predictable on its own. The finish is Black Satin, matched with black hardware. ESP specifies a three-piece maple neck and an ebony fingerboard, with a 305 mm fingerboard radius and 22 extra-jumbo frets. The neck joint type is not included in the supplied specifications, so there is no basis here to describe it as a bolt-on or set neck.

Its 628 mm scale length, equivalent to 24.72 inches, is shorter than a typical 25.5-inch guitar scale. The nut measures 42 mm, or 1.65 inches, across. Those numbers give a clearer sense of the layout than a general description of the neck shape, which ESP has not provided here. Players deciding whether the Eclipse will suit their hand should try the neck in person if possible, especially if they are used to a different scale or fret size.

The hardware consists of Gotoh machine heads, a Gotoh bridge, and a matching tailpiece. There is no tremolo system. For players who prefer a fixed bridge and do not use a vibrato arm, that is a straightforward setup. The supplied information does not identify the bridge model or provide details about tuning stability, setup, or fretwork, so those points are best checked on the individual guitar.

EMG pickups and controls

The pickup set consists of an EMG 66TW humbucker in the neck position and an EMG 57TW humbucker at the bridge. The owner initially had reservations about using the 57 and 66 models for metal, but reports that they sound good in use and pair well with a Boss Katana 100 Gen 3. They still suspect the EMG 81 and 60 set may be a better fit for metal, while noting that their comparison is limited. That distinction matters: the feedback supports the Eclipse as a workable metal guitar in this setup, not as a definitive replacement for every player's preferred pickup voicing.

Controls include separate volume knobs for the two pickups, one master tone control, and a pickup selector switch. The TW designation appears in both pickup names, but the supplied specifications do not explain the switching functions or list any additional control details. Buyers interested in coil options should confirm how the switching is configured on the instrument rather than assume a particular wiring arrangement.

What the available feedback tells us

The strongest evidence here is the owner's straightforward report: after returning to guitar following a long break, they found the instrument excellent overall and were pleased with the EMG pickups through their amplifier. That suggests the guitar made a positive first impression in a real playing setup. It does not tell us how the neck feels over a long session, how the guitar balances on a strap, or how its clean tones compare with other pickup sets.

The Eclipse BLKS has a focused specification for players who want a fixed-bridge guitar with dual humbuckers, a shorter 628 mm scale, and an ebony fingerboard. Its satin black finish and black hardware give it a restrained appearance, while the Gotoh components provide named hardware rather than an unspecified set. The included gig bag is confirmed; a hard case is not included.

Verdict

The ESP E-II Eclipse BLKS makes a strong case on paper for players seeking a mahogany-and-maple guitar with EMG 57TW and 66TW humbuckers. The owner feedback supports its use with a modern modeling amplifier and says the pickups handled metal well, despite initial doubts. The main limitation in assessing it is the lack of comparative testing and detailed setup information. At a listed price of 2699, prospective buyers should confirm the local currency, try the neck and pickup switching, and check the individual instrument before purchase.