ESP E-II Eclipse FT FM SD VHB

ESP E-II Eclipse FT FM SD VHB review

The ESP E-II Eclipse FT FM SD VHB is a Japanese-made, single-cut electric guitar with a mahogany body, figured maple top, set-in mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard. Its specification points toward a traditional fixed-bridge setup, with a pair of Seymour Duncan humbuckers and separate volume controls. The supplied player feedback is strongly positive, particularly on comfort, finish, sound, and setup. There is no detailed account of a specific amplifier or playing test, so those impressions are best read as owner experience rather than controlled comparisons.

Construction and finish

The body is mahogany, topped with figured maple, and the neck is also mahogany. ESP uses a set-in neck joint, rather than a bolt-on design. The fingerboard is ebony, with 22 X-jumbo frets and a 305 mm radius. The stated neck profile is Thin U, while the nut measures 42 mm across. These dimensions give a useful picture of the instrument's layout, though the feel of a neck remains personal and depends on hand size and playing style.

The listed finish is Vintage Honey Burst. The broader color entry says Honey, which describes the same warm-toned finish family in less detail. Chrome hardware completes the look, and the guitar ships with a case. A gig bag is not included. The owner feedback describes the finish as excellent, but does not identify particular details such as fret-edge treatment or finish thickness.

Pickups and controls

ESP fits a Seymour Duncan JB Chrome humbucker in the bridge position and a Seymour Duncan '59 Chrome humbucker at the neck. The control layout consists of two volume knobs, one tone knob with a push-pull function, and a three-way pickup selector. The specification does not state what the push-pull control changes, so buyers should confirm its exact function with the seller or manufacturer rather than assume a particular coil-splitting or switching arrangement.

The two humbuckers offer distinct pickup positions, while the selector makes it possible to choose the bridge pickup, neck pickup, or both together. The player report praises the guitar's sound without describing settings, genres, or tonal comparisons. That is encouraging, but not enough to characterize the pickups' output or range in detail. For a purchase decision, try the instrument through the kind of amp and effects you expect to use.

Bridge, tuning, and setup

A Gotoh TOM bridge and tailpiece provide the fixed-bridge arrangement. There is no tremolo. Gotoh locking machine heads are fitted, and the guitar comes strung with Elixir Nanoweb Light strings in.010-.046 gauge. The scale length is 629 mm, a relatively short measurement compared with many longer-scale electric guitars. The player feedback calls the setup impeccable and highlights the playing comfort, though it does not give measurements for string action or neck relief.

Locking tuners can make string changes more straightforward, but they do not remove the need for careful installation, tuning, and periodic setup checks. The fixed bridge also keeps the hardware layout simpler than a guitar with a tremolo system. Those are practical considerations, not guarantees of tuning stability: string condition, playing technique, and setup all have an effect.

Playing impressions and ownership

One reviewer, who reports 25 years of guitar playing and experience with several high-quality instruments, places this model among the best they have owned. Their comments focus on comfortable playability, finish, tone, and a precise setup. A second buyer describes the guitar as impressive in finish, sound, and ergonomics, and says the delivery was fast and well protected. These are useful real-world impressions, especially for prospective buyers weighing fit and presentation, but they remain individual reports rather than a broad sample.

The included case is a practical part of the package, particularly for storage and transport. The listed price is 2,699, with no currency specified in the supplied details. The model has been available since November 2021, and its item number is 515441. Buyers considering a new or used example should verify its condition, included case, and current price with the retailer.

Verdict

The ESP E-II Eclipse FT FM SD VHB pairs a mahogany and figured maple construction with an ebony fingerboard, a set-in Thin U neck, Seymour Duncan humbuckers, and Gotoh fixed-bridge hardware. Its reported strengths are comfort, finish, sound, and setup, while the supplied comments do not provide controlled tonal comparisons or detailed measurements. At the stated price, check the instrument in person if possible, confirm the push-pull function, and make sure the Vintage Honey Burst finish and neck profile suit your preferences.