ESP E-II Maverick FR II Andromeda
The ESP E-II Maverick FR II Andromeda pairs a 27-fret design with premium hardware and an original Floyd Rose tremolo. Its feature set is geared toward players who want extended upper-fret access and a locking tremolo system.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
ESP E-II Maverick FR II Andromeda review
The ESP E-II Maverick FR II Andromeda is a Japan-made, solid-body electric guitar built around a familiar combination of an alder body, maple neck, dual humbuckers, and a Floyd Rose original tremolo. Its specification sheet stands out for the 27 stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and a push-pull tone control. The listed price is 3399, with no currency specified in the supplied information.
This is a technical assessment based only on the product specifications. No customer reviews or playing impressions are available, so claims about feel, sound quality, tuning stability in use, or workmanship would go beyond the evidence.
Body, neck, and fingerboard
The body is alder, with no separate top listed. The maple neck is set into the body rather than attached with bolts. ESP specifies a thin U neck profile, a 42 mm nut width, and a 648 mm scale length, equivalent to 25.5 inches. These measurements describe the basic dimensions, but they do not establish whether the neck will feel comfortable to a particular player.
The ebony fingerboard has a 305 mm radius, or about 12 inches, and carries 27 XJ super jumbo stainless steel frets. That fret count extends beyond the 22 or 24 frets found on many conventional electric guitars. The extra frets provide more available positions on the fingerboard, although the specifications do not state how easy those upper positions are to reach. Stainless steel identifies the fret material, while "super jumbo" describes the fret size; neither detail alone guarantees a specific playing feel.
The listed finish is Andromeda matte. Black hardware gives the guitar a consistent dark hardware treatment, while the available information does not provide finish composition or details about the color under different lighting.
Pickups and controls
The pickup layout is HH, meaning two humbucking pickups. ESP identifies the bridge pickup as a Seymour Duncan TB-14 BLK and the neck pickup as a Seymour Duncan SCR-1 BLK. The guitar has one volume control, one tone control with a push-pull function, and a three-way toggle switch. The supplied specifications do not explain what the push-pull control changes, so it would be unwise to assume a particular coil-splitting or other switching function.
The pickup model names and control layout give prospective buyers concrete details to compare with other instruments. However, there are no output measurements, frequency data, or verified listening impressions here. The pickup configuration indicates what is installed, not how the guitar will sound through a particular amplifier or effects setup.
Tremolo and tuning hardware
A Floyd Rose original tremolo is paired with Gotoh locking machine heads. Locking tuners secure the strings at the headstock, while the Floyd Rose system is the specified bridge tremolo. The product listing does not include a setup guide, maintenance instructions, or details about the exact locking nut. Buyers who are new to a double-locking tremolo may want to confirm setup and restringing requirements before purchase.
The factory string set is Elixir Nanoweb Super Light, with gauges of.009,.011,.016,.024,.032, and.042. String gauge can affect bending resistance and setup, but the published information does not say whether the guitar is adjusted for another gauge or tuning. A change in strings or tuning may require setup work, particularly on a tremolo-equipped instrument.
What the specifications establish
- Construction: Alder body, set-in maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and matte Andromeda finish.
- Fingerboard: 27 XJ super jumbo stainless steel frets and a 305 mm radius.
- Electronics: Two Seymour Duncan humbuckers, one volume control, one push-pull tone control, and a three-way toggle switch.
- Hardware: Floyd Rose original tremolo, Gotoh locking tuners, and black hardware.
- Included: A case is included; no bag is listed.
Verdict
The ESP E-II Maverick FR II Andromeda has a clearly defined specification set for players seeking a 27-fret guitar with two humbuckers and an original Floyd Rose tremolo. Its listed construction materials, pickup models, controls, and hardware make it possible to assess the design on paper. The case is included, while a bag is not.
The main limitations in evaluating it remotely are the missing details about the push-pull function, setup, and real-world playability. There are also no customer reviews to draw on. At a listed price of 3399, buyers should verify the currency, current availability, and any setup or warranty terms with the seller. The specifications make this a well-defined instrument to compare, but an in-person trial is the best way to judge its neck, balance, and sound.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Made in Japan, with a set maple neck and ebony fingerboard.
- 27 stainless steel frets and a slim U-shaped neck profile.
- Original Floyd Rose tremolo, Gotoh locking tuners, and included case.
What bugged me
- The Floyd Rose system may require more involved string changes and tuning adjustments than a fixed bridge.
- The 27-fret layout and 25.5-inch scale may not suit players who prefer a more conventional guitar setup.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A strong fit for players seeking 27 frets, a locking tremolo, and dual humbuckers. Also suited to buyers who value stainless steel frets and an included case.Look elsewhere if
Less suitable for players who prefer a fixed bridge or a simpler setup. Consider another option if you do not need the extended fret range.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Andromeda
- Body
- Alder
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Ebony
- Frets
- 27
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Tremolo
- Floyd Rose
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- Yes
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Does the guitar come with a case?
Yes. A case is included.
What pickups are installed?
It has a Seymour Duncan TB-14 humbucker at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan SCR-1 humbucker at the neck.
What kind of tremolo does it use?
It is equipped with an original Floyd Rose tremolo.
How many frets does it have?
It has 27 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets.
Can the tone control do more than adjust tone?
Yes. The tone control has a push-pull function. The supplied specifications do not describe the specific switching behavior.
The last word from the bench
This Japanese-made guitar has a set maple neck, ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, and Seymour Duncan humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions. The original Floyd Rose tremolo and Gotoh locking tuners make the hardware package a clear focus. The 27-fret layout and locking tremolo are specialized choices, so buyers should consider whether they suit their playing style. A case is included.
Hanging next to it
ESP E-II Maverick FR II Andromeda
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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