ESP E-II Eclipse See Thru BKCSB

ESP E-II Eclipse See Thru BKCSB review

The ESP E-II Eclipse See Thru BKCSB is a high-end, single-cut electric guitar built around a mahogany body, a quilted maple top, and a set-through mahogany neck. Its black cherry sunburst finish gives the figured top a dark red appearance that can shift with the light. One owner noted that product photos made the guitar look lighter than it appeared in person, including its ebony fingerboard. That contrast is worth bearing in mind when judging the finish from images.

At the listed price of 3055, expectations for fit, finish, and hardware are understandably high. Reports from owners describe clean workmanship, an impressive finish, and a guitar that feels carefully put together. One player, who owns around 40 electric guitars, rated this Eclipse among the strongest in their collection. Another said the instrument played well straight out of the case and needed no setup. Those are individual experiences, not a guarantee that every example will arrive with identical adjustments.

Construction and playability

The neck has a thin U profile and a smooth surface treatment, paired with an ebony fingerboard, a 305 mm radius, and 22 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets. The scale length is 629 mm, and the bone nut measures 42 mm across. Owners consistently praise the neck's comfort and ease of movement. The stainless-steel frets and low-effort feel support long playing sessions, while the set-through construction is designed to provide a continuous neck-to-body joint.

The guitar comes with Gotoh locking tuners and a Gotoh Tune-o-matic bridge with tailpiece. One owner found string changes straightforward and reported stable tuning after fitting heavier 11, 56 strings and tuning down to drop C. The instrument includes strap locks, with the strap rings supplied in the case. It ships with Elixir Nanoweb Light strings, so players who plan to use alternate tunings or heavier gauges may want to factor in a string change and check the setup afterward.

ESP supplies an EC-shaped, form-fitting guitar case. One reviewer liked the guitar but found the case's interior material had a slightly synthetic smell. They did not describe the case as poor quality. The case is included, while a gig bag is not.

Fishman pickups and controls

The two active Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers use different magnets: an alnico pickup in the neck position and a ceramic pickup at the bridge. The controls comprise separate volume knobs, a tone control with push-pull switching, and a pickup selector. Owners describe the sound as clear, bright, and forceful, with strong definition under high-gain settings. Several characterize the guitar as particularly suited to metal and hard rock, while also reporting good results with clean tones, blues, and other styles.

The push-pull tone control accesses two pickup voices. According to owner impressions, one voice delivers a more aggressive, full-output character; the other sounds less overtly active and can suit lower tunings or cleaner, calmer parts. One player preferred these Fishman pickups to EMG pickups tried in another ESP, describing the Fishmans as brighter and more aggressive. That comparison is subjective, and pickup preference will depend on the amplifier, effects, and playing style.

Players looking for a focused high-gain sound should find the Eclipse's strengths easy to understand. Reports mention clear note definition, strong sustain, and a tone that remains articulate when driven. The less aggressive voice adds useful contrast, although the available owner feedback does not establish that it will replace a dedicated single-coil guitar for every clean or low-output sound.

Reliability and buying considerations

Most of the supplied owner feedback is strongly positive, but one buyer reported intermittent signal loss when using the pickup selector, particularly in the neck position. The sound would cut out and return, and the selector felt fragile to that reviewer. They suspected a contact, wiring, or switch fault but did not confirm the cause. Treat this as a reported issue on one guitar, not evidence that every E-II Eclipse has the same problem. Still, testing both pickup positions and moving the selector through its settings is sensible when inspecting an example.

There is also one report of a long wait before delivery, followed by an in-store trial arranged with the retailer. That experience reflects a particular order and should not be taken as a current delivery estimate. The model has been available since May 2023.

Verdict

The ESP E-II Eclipse See Thru BKCSB combines premium construction, a comfortable thin U neck, locking tuners, and versatile two-voice active pickups. Owner accounts point to a polished instrument with especially strong high-gain clarity, plus clean and lower-gain sounds that broaden its range. Its price is substantial, and the isolated selector complaint makes a careful function check worthwhile. For players seeking a refined, metal-ready guitar that can cover more than heavy distortion, the Eclipse has a compelling set of qualities.