ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru BLK

ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru BLK review

The ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru BLK is a black, solid-body electric guitar built around a neck-through-body maple neck, an alder body, and two active EMG 81 humbuckers. Its 24-fret ebony fingerboard, 648 mm scale, and Original Floyd Rose tremolo place it firmly in the high-gain, technically demanding end of the guitar market. At a listed price of $2,768, it is a serious purchase, so the construction and playing feel matter as much as the headline hardware.

The model has been available since June 2016. It has a three-piece maple neck, a Thin U neck profile, a 42 mm nut width, and 24 extra-jumbo frets. The finish is black, with black hardware. ESP includes a case, but no bag. There is no separate top wood listed in the specifications.

Construction and playing feel

One player who tried the guitar in person described the gloss black finish as polished and refined, and reported finding no workmanship issues. Another owner said the instrument arrived in tune with accurate intonation, and reported no paint defects, loose tuning machines, or neck problems. Those are individual reports rather than a guarantee about every instrument, but they point to a strong impression of fit and finish from the examples described.

The neck is the most consistent highlight in the feedback. One player found the Thin U profile neither too slim nor too thick, and praised its fast feel. That player also described the satin-like surface as helping the hand move easily along the neck. The stated neck finish is not specified in the technical data, so the surface description comes from that player's experience. Another owner said the shape fit their hand unusually well and made playing feel more natural.

The 648 mm scale is a familiar full-length layout, while the 24 extra-jumbo frets give players room for upper-register leads. One owner received the guitar with slightly higher action than preferred, but said a small adjustment with an Allen key brought it into line. This is a useful reminder that setup preferences vary, even when a guitar arrives in tune and with good intonation.

Pickups, controls, and tremolo

The electronics center on two active EMG 81 humbuckers and active circuitry. Controls are intentionally spare: one volume control and a toggle switch. The configuration is straightforward for players who want to move between pickup positions without navigating a larger control layout. The specifications list no tone control.

In player feedback, the EMG set was praised for high-gain use, with one owner saying the pickups delivered the sound expected from EMG on heavy settings. Another reviewer considered them a strong match for heavy music, while noting that pickup preferences are subjective. The instrument can produce gentler sounds too, according to a player who felt it was most at home in heavy styles. The available feedback does not establish how it performs across every amplifier or genre, so players should treat those impressions as context, not a universal verdict.

An Original Floyd Rose tremolo provides the vibrato system. Gotoh locking tuning machines are fitted, and the hardware is black. Together, these are performance-oriented appointments, although the reports supplied do not include a detailed test of tuning stability under repeated or aggressive tremolo use. Buyers who depend on a floating bridge should assess its setup and maintenance requirements alongside the playing benefits.

Who should consider it?

The neck-through construction is a defining part of this model. One player associated it with long sustain, and the design also gives the guitar a continuous neck running through the body. The body itself is alder, with no separate top listed. At 2,768 in the supplied price data, the E-II M-II sits at a premium level. An owner comparing it with a custom ESP suggested that a custom instrument could cost at least twice as much, while judging this model a strong value for a guitar intended to be played regularly.

The evidence here comes from hands-on impressions and owner reports, not a controlled comparison against other guitars. Still, the points of agreement are clear: players praised the neck feel, construction, finish, and high-gain response. The compact control layout and active pickups will suit some preferences better than others, and the Floyd Rose adds setup considerations. For players seeking a fast-feeling, neck-through guitar with EMG 81 pickups and a locking tremolo, the ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru BLK is a compelling option to try in person.

Specifications

• Body: Alder, black finish
• Neck: Three-piece maple, neck-through-body construction, Thin U profile
• Fingerboard: Ebony, 24 extra-jumbo frets
• Scale length: 648 mm
• Nut width: 42 mm
• Pickups: Two active EMG 81 humbuckers
• Controls: Active electronics, one volume control, toggle switch
• Tremolo: Original Floyd Rose
• Tuning machines: Gotoh locking
• Included: Case