ESP E-II Eclipse Snow White

ESP E-II Eclipse Snow White review

The ESP E-II Eclipse Snow White is a Japan-made, single-cut electric guitar built around a mahogany body and a neck-through mahogany neck. Its satin white finish gives it a clean, understated look, while black hardware provides a strong visual contrast. The combination of a set-neck-style outline and neck-through construction puts the focus on a familiar shape with a long, continuous neck and body structure.

At a listed price of 2666, this is a premium instrument. The supplied specifications do not state a currency, so the figure is best treated as the listed price rather than a direct comparison with other markets. ESP has offered this model since March 2019. The package includes a case, but not a gig bag.

Construction and playability

The body is mahogany with a maple top, and the neck is mahogany. An ebony fingerboard carries 22 extra-jumbo frets, with a 305 mm radius and a 629 mm scale length. The neck profile is a Thin U, and the 42 mm bone nut gives the neck a familiar width at the first fret. Those dimensions describe a relatively slim neck shape, but the profile is not necessarily as narrow-feeling as the name alone might suggest.

Player feedback supplied for this review repeatedly points to comfortable playability and well-finished frets. One owner describes the neck as smooth and slim, while another says the profile feels substantial enough to avoid being overly thin. Those impressions are subjective, but they align with the stated Thin U profile and provide useful context for players who are deciding between a fast neck and a fuller grip.

The extra-jumbo frets can make bends and vibrato feel easier under the fingers, depending on playing style and setup. ESP lists the factory stringing as Elixir Nanoweb Light, with gauges of.010 to.046. String preference and setup can change the feel, so the stock configuration is a starting point rather than a fixed requirement.

Pickups and controls

The Eclipse uses active EMG 57 TW bridge and EMG 66 TW neck humbuckers. Both volume controls have push-pull switching, and a separate tone control sits alongside a three-way toggle switch. This gives the player access to the pickup combination and switching options expected from a two-humbucker guitar, with additional coil-splitting capability through the push-pull controls.

That flexibility is one of the strongest points in the owner feedback. Players report that the guitar can produce clear, usable clean sounds as well as aggressive high-gain tones for modern metal. The split-coil sounds will not turn the instrument into a dedicated single-coil guitar, but they provide a contrasting response without changing instruments. The active pickup system and control layout make the Eclipse particularly appealing to players who want strong output with more than one basic humbucker voice.

Hardware and setup

A Gotoh TOM bridge and tailpiece provide the fixed bridge setup. There is no tremolo, which keeps the hardware arrangement straightforward for players who prefer stable tuning and do not need vibrato effects. Gotoh locking machine heads are fitted, and the hardware is black. The locking tuners can make string changes more convenient, though careful winding and a proper setup still matter for tuning stability.

The included case is a practical part of the package for a guitar at this level. The specification identifies the instrument by item number 458562 and lists one piece per sales unit. Its Snow White satin finish is the stated color; the model name and finish description refer to the same white appearance.

Who should consider it

The E-II Eclipse Snow White is aimed at players who want a high-quality fixed-bridge guitar for rock and metal, with enough switching flexibility for cleaner passages. Its mahogany body, maple top, neck-through construction, active EMGs, and locking tuners make for a focused specification rather than a feature-heavy design. Players seeking a tremolo, passive pickups, or a different neck shape should compare alternatives before buying.

Based on the supplied owner comments, the most consistent strengths are comfortable playability, carefully finished frets, and the range from clean sounds to high-gain tones. The satin white finish also gives the guitar a distinctive look without changing its practical, performance-oriented layout. For a player looking for a premium ESP with a fixed bridge and coil-splitting humbuckers, the E-II Eclipse Snow White has a convincing case. The main decision is whether its active pickup character and Thin U neck suit your hands and preferred sound.