ESP E-II Eclipse BM Blue Nat Fade

ESP E-II Eclipse BM Blue Nat Fade review

The ESP E-II Eclipse BM Blue Nat Fade combines a familiar single-cutaway outline with a neck-through build, active EMG pickups, and a blue natural fade finish. Its listed price is 2,699, and the guitar is made in Japan. The defining visual detail is the buckeye burl maple top, whose grain is a major part of the model's appeal. Owners who praise the finish say the wood looks even more striking in person than it does in photos.

There is strong positive feedback about the instrument's feel and overall presentation, but owner accounts also show that quality control and personal preferences can affect the experience. One player reported a flawless instrument that needed no setup changes after delivery. Another found finish blemishes, a tuner with excess free movement, high action, and pickups that did not suit their taste. That variation matters at this price, so a careful inspection is sensible if you are buying one in person.

Build, neck, and hardware

The body is mahogany, with a mahogany neck joined through the body and an ebony fingerboard. The neck has a Thin U profile, a 42 mm bone nut, and a 629 mm scale. There are 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. The shorter scale and single-cutaway form will feel familiar to many players coming from traditional designs, while the neck-through construction and slim neck profile give the guitar a more modern specification.

Reported playing comfort is generally favorable. One owner found bends easier than on a heavier guitar they already owned and appreciated the body's comfort cut when playing while standing. Another described the guitar as exceptionally easy to play, though a different buyer received one with higher-than-preferred action and made a small neck adjustment. These experiences suggest a comfortable design, but they do not guarantee that every example will arrive with identical setup.

The bridge is a Gotoh Tune-O-Matic with a separate tailpiece, and the locking tuners are also by Gotoh. The hardware has a black nickel finish. The supplied strings are Elixir Nanoweb Light,.010 to.046. One buyer praised the hardware and the included case, while another mentioned receiving Schaller locking strap buttons. Since the listed specification identifies Gotoh locking tuners and does not list Schaller buttons, buyers should confirm exactly which strap hardware is included with their particular instrument.

EMG pickups and controls

The guitar uses active EMG 57TW bridge and EMG 66TW neck humbuckers. Controls consist of two volume knobs, one tone knob, and a three-way pickup selector. Owner reports describe a broad range of impressions. Several players liked the sound, including one who found the pickups effective in single-coil mode and another who praised their clean tones and strong output under overdrive. A separate owner found the pickups too harsh and could not get the clean response they wanted, even after trying both amplifier simulations and a conventional amp.

That disagreement is useful context rather than a reason to assume the pickups are objectively good or bad. Active humbuckers can deliver a direct, forceful response, but the result depends on the player's preferred voicing, amplifier, and settings. If possible, audition the guitar through the kind of rig you use most, and test the split sounds as well as the full humbucker positions. Also check the tone control across its range. One reported instrument arrived with a tone knob that scraped against the body and needed adjustment.

Finish, case, and buying considerations

The Blue Natural Fade finish is the most frequent reason owners cite for choosing this model. Positive reports describe the figuring as impressive and the overall appearance as premium. However, one buyer found yellowed areas in the finish and visible irregularities in the wood, rating that example's finish below expectations. Another owner reported excellent workmanship with no visible defects. The difference between those accounts makes an in-person inspection worthwhile, especially around the neck joint, binding, and edges of the top.

A case is included; a gig bag is not listed. One owner described the case as a sturdy black design with a white interior and a useful storage compartment. The guitar is listed as available since June 2026, with item number 458554. Check the production details and condition of the actual unit, since the owner experiences above include instruments bought at different times and do not establish that every guitar will have the same setup or finish.

Verdict

The ESP E-II Eclipse BM Blue Nat Fade has a compelling combination of Japanese manufacture, a mahogany neck-through build, an ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, Gotoh hardware, and active EMG pickups. Players who want a visually distinctive single-cutaway guitar with a strong, modern sound may find it a satisfying choice. The case is included, and multiple owners praise its feel, finish, and playability.

At 2,699, the reported finish and setup inconsistencies deserve attention. The pickups also divide opinion, so their response should be tested rather than assumed to suit every style. Inspect the finish, turn every control, check tuner operation, and evaluate the action before purchase. For a buyer who likes the EMG voice and receives a well-finished example, the specification and construction make a strong case. For anyone uncertain about the pickup character or expecting flawless cosmetic work at this price, a hands-on trial is the safer call.