Electric guitars

ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK

The ESP E-II Maverick pairs Japanese construction, stainless steel frets, and a Floyd Rose Original with a versatile Seymour Duncan humbucker setup. Its 27-fret design and premium price make it a focused choice rather than an all-purpose fit for every player.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK review

The ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK is a Japanese-made electric guitar with a 648 mm scale, an alder body, and a set maple neck. Its specification centers on a two-humbucker layout and a Floyd Rose Original tremolo. The listed price is 3399, with no currency specified in the supplied information. A case is included; a gig bag is not.

These details describe the instrument's construction and hardware, but they do not establish how it sounds or feels in use. No customer reviews are available for this product, so this assessment is limited to the stated specifications. There is no basis here for claims about setup quality, tuning stability in performance, tonal character, or playing comfort.

Body, neck, and fingerboard

The body is alder and has no top. Its finish is Gun Metallic Black, with black hardware. The neck is maple and joins the body with a set-neck construction. The fingerboard is ebony, with a stated radius of 305 mm, or 12.01 inches. The relatively specific measurements are useful for comparing the Maverick with other guitars, though they cannot indicate personal comfort without trying the instrument.

ESP specifies a Thin U neck profile and a 42 mm nut width. The scale is 648 mm, equivalent to 25.5 inches. That is a familiar full-scale length, but the data alone cannot say how the string tension will feel with a particular tuning or playing style. The supplied strings are Elixir Nanoweb Super Light, in gauges.009,.011,.016,.024,.032, and.042.

The fingerboard carries 27 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. The high fret count provides additional fret positions beyond the common 22- or 24-fret layouts, while the stainless steel material is a stated component rather than evidence of a particular lifespan or playing feel. Buyers should check the upper-fret access and overall neck fit in person if those factors are central to their choice.

Pickups and controls

The pickup configuration uses two humbuckers: a Seymour Duncan TB-14 BLK at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan SCR-1 BLK at the neck. ESP lists one volume control, one tone control with a push-pull function, and a three-way toggle switch. The supplied specifications do not explain the exact switching changes made by the push-pull control, so its effect should be confirmed in the product documentation or with the seller.

This is a comparatively direct control layout, with pickup selection handled by the three-way switch and level and tone adjustments on the body. The pickup model names identify the installed components, but they are not enough to describe the guitar's output, frequency balance, or response through a specific amplifier. Those qualities depend on the instrument's setup and the rest of the signal chain, and cannot be verified from the specifications alone.

Tremolo and tuning hardware

The bridge is a Floyd Rose Original tremolo, paired with Gotoh locking machine heads. This is a locking tremolo system, a notable choice for players who specifically want a floating bridge design. Its presence also makes setup details relevant: string changes, tuning adjustments, and changes in string gauge can involve different considerations than on a fixed-bridge guitar. The listed.009 to.042 set provides a reference point, but the supplied information does not state the factory tuning or setup.

The black hardware matches the Gun Metallic Black finish. The specifications do not identify the exact finish process or provide information about wear resistance, so no conclusion about long-term appearance is warranted.

What the specifications establish

  • Construction: Alder body, no top, set maple neck, and ebony fingerboard.
  • Dimensions: 648 mm scale, 42 mm nut width, and 305 mm fingerboard radius.
  • Frets: 27 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets.
  • Electronics: Seymour Duncan TB-14 BLK bridge humbucker and SCR-1 BLK neck humbucker, with volume, push-pull tone, and a three-way switch.
  • Hardware: Floyd Rose Original tremolo and Gotoh locking machine heads.
  • Included item: A case is included; a gig bag is not.

Bottom line

The ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK has a clearly specified combination of a set maple neck, ebony fingerboard, 27 stainless steel frets, two Seymour Duncan humbuckers, and a Floyd Rose Original tremolo. Those details make it possible to assess whether its core layout matches a buyer's requirements. They do not substitute for a hands-on check of the neck, fretwork, balance, or setup, and there are no customer reports available to add that perspective. The item number is 634562. The listed sales unit is one piece, and the supplied price is 3399 without a stated currency.

ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK, front view
8.3/ 10 overall score
$3,399current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

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

  • Japanese-made construction with an alder body, maple set neck, and ebony fingerboard
  • Seymour Duncan humbuckers with a push-pull tone control for added tonal flexibility
  • Floyd Rose Original tremolo, Gotoh locking tuners, and stainless steel frets

What bugged me

  • The 27-fret layout may take adjustment for players accustomed to standard fret counts
  • The high price and specialized tremolo setup may not suit every budget or playing style

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

Best suited to experienced players who want a Floyd Rose-equipped guitar with extended upper-fret access and humbucker tones. A strong match for buyers who value Japanese construction and premium hardware.

Look elsewhere if

Not ideal for shoppers seeking a lower-cost instrument or a standard 22- or 24-fret layout. Players who want a simple fixed bridge with minimal setup demands may prefer another design.
RockMetalHard rock

Suggested level: Intermediate

ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK, $3,399Check today's price →

Specifications

Color
Black
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

ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK, detail 2ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK, detail 3

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.

Can the tone control change the pickup sound?

The tone control has a push-pull function, but the provided specifications do not state exactly how that function changes the sound.

Is the tremolo suitable for players who use the bar frequently?

It is equipped with a Floyd Rose Original tremolo and Gotoh locking tuners. The specifications do not describe setup requirements or performance beyond listing those components.

Who is likely to benefit from the 27 frets?

Players who regularly use high notes may value the extended fret range. Players who prefer a standard fret count may want to try the layout before buying.

The last word from the bench

The specifications point to a well-equipped electric guitar built for reliable tuning under tremolo use and frequent playing. Its thin U-shaped neck, 12-inch fingerboard radius, and 27 jumbo frets favor players who want broad upper-register access. The push-pull tone control adds flexibility to the two-humbucker layout. At this price, buyers should be comfortable with the specialized layout and Floyd Rose maintenance.

ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK, $3,399Check today's price →

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ESP E-II Maverick GunMetallic BK

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