ESP E-II M-II LH STBLK

ESP E-II M-II LH STBLK review

The ESP E-II M-II LH STBLK is a six-string, ST-style electric guitar made in Japan. Its specification is aimed squarely at players who want a fast-playing instrument with a focused high-gain sound: an alder body, a flamed maple top, a maple neck that runs through the body, and EMG 81 pickups at both the bridge and neck. A Floyd Rose Original tremolo and locking nut complete the hardware setup.

The model has been available since February 2021. It is finished in See-Thru Black, has 24 frets, and comes with a case. The listed price is $2,859. This is a specialized instrument rather than a general-purpose guitar, and its appeal depends on whether the player wants active pickups, a slim neck profile, and a double-locking tremolo.

Construction and playing feel

The construction combines an alder body with a flamed maple top and an ebony fingerboard. The maple neck uses a neck-through-body design, so it continues through the center of the guitar rather than attaching at a neck joint. The neck profile is Thin U, with a 42 mm locking nut and a 305 mm fingerboard radius. The 648 mm scale length is the familiar 25.5-inch format, and the frets are 24 X-Jumbo.

One owner report praises the finish and assembly, including the paintwork, fret installation, bindings, and electronics. The same player found the neck easy to adjust, describing a straightforward correction to the neck relief and tremolo height that resolved severe fret buzz and produced a comfortable action. That report also noted that the guitar had arrived with its setup needing attention. Setup quality can vary, so buyers should check relief, action, and tremolo balance rather than assuming every example will be ready to play straight from the case.

The slim neck profile is described as conducive to fast playing. The available feedback comes from a long-time death metal player, who found the guitar comfortable for intricate parts and rapid thrash and death metal passages. That is useful practical context, although it is one player's experience rather than a guarantee of fit for every hand or playing style.

Pickups and controls

Both pickups are EMG 81 humbuckers, one in the bridge position and one in the neck position. The control layout is deliberately spare: a single volume control and a three-way toggle switch. There is no tone control. One reviewer did not mind its absence, but did point out that the volume knob sits close to the bridge pickup. Players who pick aggressively or use a wide picking-hand motion may want to check whether that placement suits their technique.

The owner feedback describes the sound as clear and bright, with notes remaining distinct across the strings and fretboard. That clarity was especially appreciated with high-gain amplifier setups, where the guitar was said to preserve definition and avoid a muddy result. The reviewer specifically mentioned using Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier and Marshall JCM 410 amplifiers. Fast, dense metal parts came through cleanly in that player's experience.

Those impressions fit the model's pickup and control choices, but they should not be mistaken for an all-purpose tonal assessment. With active EMG 81s in both positions and no tone control, the guitar offers fewer onboard ways to soften or reshape its sound than many versatile designs. Players seeking a very broad range of passive-style tones may prefer a different configuration.

Tremolo, hardware, and ownership notes

The Floyd Rose Original tremolo works with the locking nut to secure tuning at both ends of the strings. This arrangement is suited to players who rely on expressive tremolo use, though it requires more setup care than a fixed bridge. The guitar also uses Gotoh locking tuners, black-finished hardware, and Elixir Nanoweb Super Light strings in.009-.042 gauge.

The reported build quality is strong overall, with particular praise for the neck-to-body fit and the clean finish. Another owner described the Japanese construction as precise and praised the instrument's aggressive metal voice, while noting that fretboard and fretwork details did not feel flawless. Taken together, the reports suggest a high-quality guitar that still merits a careful inspection and setup.

Verdict

The ESP E-II M-II LH STBLK makes a clear case for itself as a purpose-built metal guitar. Its neck-through maple construction, ebony fingerboard, dual EMG 81 pickups, and Floyd Rose Original tremolo give it a coherent specification for players who prioritize fast access, tuning security, and defined high-gain notes. The supplied owner feedback backs up those strengths, particularly for rapid, heavy playing.

Potential buyers should account for the sparse controls, the closely placed volume knob, and the possibility of needing a setup after delivery. At $2,859, expectations for fit and finish are high. The available reports are favorable overall, but they also make clear why checking the fretwork and setup matters. For a player specifically after a Japanese-made, hard-edged instrument with a locking tremolo system, this ESP is a compelling option.