ESP E-II Horizon FR-II EMG STBCSB

ESP E-II Horizon FR-II EMG STBCSB review

The ESP E-II Horizon FR-II EMG STBCSB makes a strong first impression in person. The finish and build details look better in hand than they do in photos, and the guitar feels carefully assembled when picked up. That first contact also gives a clear sense of its performance focus. Its 648 mm scale, 24 frets, locking hardware, and two EMG humbuckers point toward a guitar intended for quick, controlled playing.

The body is mahogany, topped with quilted maple in a See Thru Black Cherry Sunburst finish. Black hardware keeps the look cohesive, while the ebony fingerboard provides a dark contrast against the maple neck. The neck runs through the body and is built from three pieces of maple. These details, along with the 305 mm fingerboard radius and 42 mm nut width, describe a fairly flat playing surface, though the neck profile itself is not specified in the supplied specifications.

Build and playing feel

The instrument feels responsive under the hands. That impression comes through in the reported playing experience, which points to both the build quality and the pickups as part of the response. The guitar feels made for fast playing, but the specifications alone do not establish a particular neck shape or setup. Players should try the neck in person if its profile is a deciding factor.

There are 24 extra-jumbo frets across the ebony fingerboard. The full 648 mm scale is a familiar layout for players who prefer standard-length electric guitars. ESP fits the model with Elixir Nanoweb Super Light strings, in gauges.009,.011,.016,.024,.032, and.042. String preference is personal, so players may choose a different set after purchase, but the installed gauges provide a clear reference for the feel described here.

EMG pickups and controls

The pickup set consists of an EMG 66TW at the neck and an EMG 57TW at the bridge, both in Brushed Black Chrome. The guitar has a three-way selector, plus separate volume and tone controls, each with a push-pull function. The supplied specifications do not detail the switching combinations created by those push-pull controls, so it is worth checking the instrument documentation or trying the controls directly rather than assuming a specific coil configuration.

The hands-on feedback describes the guitar as notably responsive and connects that quality to its pickups as well as its construction. The listed setup gives players a neck and bridge humbucker arrangement with straightforward selector access. The push-pull controls add switching options, although the precise resulting sounds are not defined in the information available for this review.

Floyd Rose hardware and practical details

An Original Floyd Rose vibrato is fitted, together with Gotoh locking tuners. This is a substantial hardware choice for players who want a vibrato system as part of the instrument's design. The locking tuners and locking vibrato are specific equipment, but the supplied details do not describe setup procedures or tuning stability under particular playing conditions. A proper setup remains important, especially for players who plan to make frequent changes to string gauge or tuning.

The guitar is made in Japan and includes a case. A bag is not included. It has been available since June 2022, and its item number is 515583. The listed price is 3150, with no currency specified in the supplied data. That makes it important to confirm the local price and included terms with the retailer before ordering.

Verdict

The ESP E-II Horizon FR-II EMG STBCSB is a feature-rich electric guitar with a clear performance-oriented specification. Its through-body, three-piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard, 24 extra-jumbo frets, EMG humbuckers, Original Floyd Rose vibrato, and Gotoh locking tuners define the package. The Black Cherry finish also makes a stronger impression in person than in photographs, according to the reported hands-on experience.

The most persuasive point from that experience is the immediate feel: the guitar comes across as responsive and suited to fast playing. Buyers should still assess the neck shape themselves, since no profile is listed, and confirm the push-pull switching behavior and local pricing. For players drawn to this pickup and vibrato configuration, the E-II Horizon offers a carefully specified Japanese-built instrument, supplied with a case.