ESP E-II EX NT SW

ESP E-II EX NT SW review

The ESP E-II EX NT SW is an Explorer-style electric guitar built around a mahogany body, a set-in mahogany neck, and active EMG humbuckers. Its Snow White finish gives the angular outline a strong visual presence, while black hardware and brushed black chrome pickup covers keep the detailing dark. The guitar has been available since January 2022 and is made in Japan.

The supplied owner feedback is emphatic: the reviewer describes the instrument as beautiful, reports no defects, and says it works well from clean tones through distortion. That is useful firsthand context, but it is one player's assessment rather than a controlled test. The published specifications point to a focused heavy-guitar setup, with a familiar bridge-and-tailpiece arrangement and a pair of active pickups.

Mahogany body and set-in neck

The body is mahogany, with no separate top. Its EX-style outline is visually distinctive and takes up more space than a conventional double-cutaway design, so players should consider both the shape and its physical presence when choosing a guitar. The Snow White finish is the only listed color.

The mahogany neck is set into the body, rather than bolted on. ESP specifies a Thin U neck profile, an ebony fingerboard, and 22 X-Jumbo frets. The fingerboard radius is 305 mm, and the bone nut measures 42 mm wide. These details give shoppers concrete points of comparison when judging the neck against instruments they already play. The listed scale length is 629 mm.

There is no tremolo system. Instead, a Gotoh TOM bridge and tailpiece provide the fixed bridge setup. Gotoh locking machine heads are fitted at the headstock. The hardware is black, which matches the contrast of the pickup covers against the white finish. The specification sheet also lists Elixir Nanoweb Light strings in.010,.013,.017,.026,.036, and.046 gauges.

Active EMG pickup layout

The pickup configuration is a pair of humbuckers: an EMG 81 at the bridge and an EMG 60 at the neck. Both are active models, and the listed covers are brushed black chrome. A three-way switch selects between the pickups or their combined setting. Volume and tone controls keep the control layout straightforward.

The supplied feedback says the guitar sounds good both clean and with distortion, but it does not identify an amplifier, effects chain, pickup settings, or playing style. Treat that comment as an owner impression, not a promise that the guitar will produce the same result in every rig. The published details establish the electronics and controls, while the player's own equipment and preferences will determine the final sound.

What the specification says in practice

This model's choices are specific: a 629 mm scale, 22 frets, active pickups, a fixed bridge, and a set-in neck. Players who want a tremolo, passive electronics, or a different fret count will need to look elsewhere. Shoppers who want the listed EMG pairing and prefer a fixed bridge can compare these details directly with other guitars in the same price range.

The case is included, which is a practical benefit for storage and transport. No gig bag is included. The listing gives the price as 2,480, without specifying a currency, so buyers should confirm the amount and local pricing with the seller before ordering. The item number is 515570, and the sales unit is one piece.

Verdict

The ESP E-II EX NT SW is a Japan-made, Explorer-style guitar with a clearly defined heavy-guitar specification. Its mahogany construction, ebony fingerboard, Thin U neck, active EMG 81 and EMG 60 pickups, locking tuners, and included case make the package easy to assess on paper. Its fixed bridge and lack of a separate top are equally clear points for buyers to weigh.

The available owner report is strongly positive, praising the finish and describing the guitar as capable across clean and distorted sounds. There is not enough independent playing data here to make broader claims about setup, tuning stability, comfort, or tonal behavior. For a player already drawn to the EX shape and active EMG configuration, the listed features make this ESP a focused option worth trying in person. Check the fit of the large body shape and the neck profile before committing, and verify local price details with the retailer.