ESP E-II SN-III Flicker CGS

ESP E-II SN-III Flicker CGS review

The ESP E-II SN-III Flicker CGS is a Japanese-made electric guitar with an alder body, a bolt-on roasted maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard. Its Champagne Gold Sparkle matte finish gives the instrument a distinctive appearance, while black hardware provides contrast. The listed price is 3222, and the product number is 634734.

The specifications describe a 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale, a 42 mm (1.65-inch) nut, and a thin U-shaped neck profile. The fingerboard radius is 305 mm (12 inches), with 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. These measurements define the instrument's physical layout, but they do not establish how its neck feels or how it plays in practice. No customer reviews are available, so there is no user feedback to draw on.

Construction and specification notes

The body is listed as alder. The supplied data conflict on the top: one entry says there is no separate top, while the detailed specification lists maple. That discrepancy cannot be resolved from the available information, so buyers should confirm the top construction with the seller before ordering. The neck is roasted maple, attached with a bolt-on joint, and the fingerboard is ebony.

The 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets are a notable hardware choice. Stainless steel is specified as the fret material, while "extra jumbo" describes their size. The fret count and 648 mm scale are clearly stated; details such as fret-end treatment, neck reinforcement, and setup at delivery are not provided.

Pickup layout and controls

The guitar uses an HSS pickup arrangement: one Seymour Duncan TB-15 humbucker at the bridge, plus two Seymour Duncan STK-S6 single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. This gives the instrument two pickup types and three selectable pickup locations. The specification does not state output measurements, magnet type, or other electrical details, so tonal performance cannot be established from the pickup names alone.

Controls consist of one volume knob, one tone knob with a push-pull function, and a five-way pickup selector. The push-pull function is confirmed, but the data do not explain exactly what it switches. It would be unwise to assume a particular coil-splitting or phase function without confirmation from ESP or the seller.

Bridge, tuning hardware, and included accessories

A Flicker-III tremolo is fitted, alongside Gotoh locking machine heads and a locking nut. Together, these components specify a locking tremolo and locking tuning hardware. The description does not provide adjustment instructions, a range of tremolo travel, or any claim about tuning stability under use. The supplied factory strings are Elixir Nanoweb Super Light, gauged.009,.011,.016,.024,.032, and.042.

A hard case is included. Although one abbreviated data field says "Bag: No," the detailed specification explicitly says the guitar includes a case. The supplied information therefore supports an included case, not an included gig bag. Buyers who need a particular case type should verify what is shipped.

What the specifications establish

This model's documented features include its HSS pickup configuration, five-way selector, push-pull tone control, Flicker-III tremolo, locking nut, and locking tuners. The champagne gold matte finish and black hardware are also specified. Made in Japan is stated in the product information.

There is no evidence here for a particular playing feel, sound quality, workmanship level, or performance advantage. Those judgments require direct inspection or reliable independent testing. The top-material inconsistency and the unspecified push-pull function are the main points to clarify before purchase. The included hard case is useful to know when comparing the listed price of 3222 with other instruments, though the data do not identify a currency.

Verdict

The ESP E-II SN-III Flicker CGS has a clearly defined set of technical features: an alder body, roasted maple neck, ebony fingerboard, Seymour Duncan HSS pickups, and locking tremolo hardware. Its specifications are detailed enough to compare its dimensions and components with other guitars, but not to predict personal comfort or tone. Confirm whether the body has a maple top and what the push-pull control does before buying. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment rests entirely on the supplied specifications.