ESP E-II Horizon NT-II STBLKSB

Introduction: ESP E-II Horizon NT-II STBLKSB Overview

The ESP E-II Horizon NT-II STBLKSB sits at the upper end of the ESP lineup, made in Japan with the company's distinct attention to craft. This solid-body electric guitar features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, a maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and active EMG 57 (bridge) and EMG 66 (neck) humbuckers. With a price tag of $2899, a robust hardware set, and an included hard case, this Horizon model aims straight at discerning rock and metal players who expect high performance and reliability.

Construction and Finish

The mahogany body topped with a quilted maple veneer delivers a striking translucent black sunburst finish. The contouring is smooth, a result of a thick clear coat that, according to seasoned ESP users, has become incrementally heavier in recent years. This gives the guitar a softer, modern tactile impression compared to earlier runs with sharper contour lines. The top varies in appearance, as is typical with flamed maple, some instruments feature a pronounced figure, while others are subtler, making each piece unique but unpredictable if buying sight unseen.

• Body: Mahogany, quilted maple top
• Finish: See Thru Black Sunburst, thick gloss clear coat
• Binding: Some inconsistencies noted in the bordering paintwork on the headstock and body binding, lines sometimes stray from ideal straightness

The set-thru neck joint (a hybrid of set-neck and through-body) provides robust upper fret access and structural stability. The three-piece maple neck is capped with an ebony fingerboard and 24 extra-jumbo frets, offering smooth low-action playability for fast leads and chording alike. Factory fretwork is consistently high-end, with well-dressed edges and no dead spots reported. Some players report subtle variance in nut width, although the specification lists 42 mm, real-world measurements on several units range from 43 mm to over 43.5 mm. This may not bother most players, but those highly sensitive to neck profile dimensions should take note.

Hardware and Electronics

The guitar is equipped with a rock-solid fixed bridge system: a Gotoh Tune-O-Matic bridge and matching tailpiece finished in black. Tuning remains stable under heavy play, thanks in part to the Gotoh locking tuners. The absence of a tremolo is consistent with the NT ("non-tremolo") designation, making for a more stable string feel, especially valued in lower tunings.

• Bridge: Gotoh Tune-O-Matic, tailpiece
• Tuners: Gotoh locking

The electronics center around a pair of active EMG humbuckers, an EMG 57 in bridge and an EMG 66 in neck position, wired via a three-way toggle, single volume knob, and a tone knob. The character here is immediately familiar to anyone tuned into modern metal and hard rock: the EMG 57/66 set combines high output, clarity, and excellent note separation, making them equally at home in tight palm-muted rhythms or fluid leads. Swapping the 9V battery for the active pickups is simplified thanks to a quick-access compartment on the back, a major ergonomic plus over many competitor models.

Playability and Ergonomics

The Horizon body style draws heavily from the superstrat idea, with contoured edges that fit snugly against the body whether seated or standing. The 648 mm (25.5 inch) scale length supports both standard and down-tuned setups. Customers report smooth, "buttery" feel and stellar neck comfort after adjustment, although the volume knob sits quite close to the picking hand, this remains a sticking point for some players, but at least the control has enough resistance to avoid accidental changes while playing.

• Frets: 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel (XJ)
• Fingerboard: Ebony, 305 mm (12 inch) radius
• Scale Length: 648 mm (25.5 inches)
• Nut width: Specified 42 mm, but real units can range 43, 43.6 mm

Weight varies among units, as is typical with mahogany-bodied instruments, some are manageable at 3.2 kg (just over 7 lbs), others approach 4 kg depending on the selection of wood blanks. This impacts long-term comfort for gigging or extended practice; buyers with strong preferences for light instruments should consider verifying the specific unit before purchase.

Sound and Performance

The EMG 57/66 set is the star of the show here. Users highlight crisp attack, focused mids, and tight low end, making chugging in drop tunings, rich lead tones, or thick modern rock tones effortless. Many note that the pickup pairing outshines other active setups they have used, offering character and detail not found in typical high-output metal sets. Clean sounds are not neglected: the neck pickup, in particular, surfaces broad, sonorous cleans, not sterile but harmonically deep.

Factory setup tends to be excellent, with intonation and action right out of the box. Transitions from rhythm to lead are seamless, and tuning retention is top-tier for a fixed bridge instrument.

Included Accessories and Final Thoughts

The included case matches the guitar's high-quality build, with a snug interior, accessory compartment, and robust latches providing secure protection for travel or storage.

Minor criticisms include finish-related variance and the brand's headstock re-labeling, which moves ESP branding to E-II for all non-Custom Shop Japan models. Purists may object, but this does not detract from the instrument's fundamental quality.

Despite rising costs in recent years, many players consider the ESP E-II Horizon NT-II STBLKSB a clear leap ahead of LTD alternatives, both in finish durability and refined build. For guitarists seeking a pro-tier rock or metal workhorse with screaming active tones and premium construction, it stands out as a serious contender.