ESP E-II SN-III Flicker GunMet BK
The ESP E-II SN-III Flicker GunMet BK pairs a versatile HSS pickup layout with premium-feeling appointments, including stainless steel frets and a Flicker-III tremolo. Its locking hardware and included case suit a serious player, while the listed price places it firmly in the premium range.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
ESP E-II SN-III Flicker GunMet BK: Technical Review
The ESP E-II SN-III Flicker GunMet BK is a Japanese-made electric guitar built around an alder body, a bolt-on roasted maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard. Its hardware and pickup layout point to a design intended to cover a range of electric-guitar sounds while retaining a locking nut and a dedicated tremolo system. The listed specifications describe the construction clearly, although they do not establish how the guitar sounds, feels, or performs in use.
The body has a high-gloss Gun Metallic Black finish and no separate top. Black hardware keeps the visible fittings consistent with the dark finish. The neck's thin U profile, 42 mm nut width, and 305 mm fingerboard radius are concrete dimensions that help describe its shape, but they cannot substitute for a hands-on assessment. The guitar has 22 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets. Stainless steel is the fret material; no information is provided about fret dressing, setup, or the condition of the instrument after shipping.
Construction and playability specifications
The 648 mm scale length is 25.5 inches, a common full-length scale for electric guitars. The fingerboard is ebony, and the neck is roasted maple. These are the stated materials, not a guarantee of any particular tonal character. The bolt-on joint is specified, as is a locking nut. Together with the Gotoh locking machine heads, that hardware gives the instrument a locking string-retention arrangement. The specifications do not identify a particular setup procedure or make claims about tuning stability under every playing condition.
The factory string set is Elixir Nanoweb Super Light, with gauges.009,.011,.016,.024,.032, and.042. String preference varies, so this is useful to know when planning a replacement set or comparing the instrument with a different setup. The product includes a case and does not include a gig bag. That distinction matters for transport planning, especially for buyers who expected a soft bag in addition to the case.
HSS pickups and controls
The pickup layout is HSS: a Seymour Duncan TB-15 humbucker at the bridge, plus Seymour Duncan STK-S6 single-coil pickups at the neck and middle positions. The control set consists of one volume knob, one tone knob with a push-pull function, and a five-way pickup selector. The supplied details do not say what the push-pull switch changes, so its precise operation should be confirmed with ESP or the seller rather than assumed.
The combination of one humbucker and two single-coil pickups gives the guitar three pickup positions to select from and a five-way switch for configuring them. The listed pickup models identify the components, but no output measurements, wiring diagram, or switching chart is provided. For that reason, this review cannot confirm the exact sounds available in each selector position or make claims about noise levels, output balance, or suitability for a particular genre.
Flicker-III tremolo and hardware
The ESP Flicker-III is the specified tremolo system. A locking nut and locking machine heads are also listed, but the supplied information does not explain the tremolo's adjustment range, setup requirements, or maintenance. Buyers who plan to use the arm extensively should check the manufacturer's documentation for operating and setup guidance. The specifications confirm the hardware type, not how it responds in a particular playing style.
The guitar ships with black hardware and the stated factory strings. It includes a case, with no gig bag listed. Its product number is 634735. The provided price is 3,222, but no currency is specified, so it cannot be compared directly with prices in a particular market.
What the specifications establish
The SN-III Flicker has a defined feature set: alder body, roasted maple bolt-on neck, ebony fingerboard, 22 stainless-steel frets, HSS pickups, a five-way selector, a push-pull tone control, locking hardware, and the Flicker-III tremolo. Its finish is Gun Metallic Black with a high-gloss surface, and the included case is confirmed. These details make it possible to assess whether its materials and hardware fit a buyer's requirements.
No customer reviews are available for this product. There is therefore no basis here for reporting owner experiences, build consistency, comfort over long sessions, or reliability over time. The practical next step for a prospective buyer is to verify the push-pull function, inspect the instrument's setup, and confirm the price and included case with the seller. On the evidence supplied, the ESP E-II SN-III Flicker GunMet BK is a clearly specified Japanese-made HSS guitar, but its real-world feel and performance remain unverified.
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
- Seymour Duncan HSS pickup set combines a bridge humbucker with two neck and middle single-coil pickups.
- Roasted maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and 22 stainless steel frets.
- Flicker-III tremolo, locking tuners, and included case.
What bugged me
- The locking nut and tremolo may make string changes and tuning adjustments less straightforward.
- A gig bag is not included, although a case is.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A strong fit for players seeking an HSS guitar with a tremolo and locking hardware. Also worth considering for musicians who value stainless steel frets and an included hard case.Look elsewhere if
Less suitable for buyers who want a simple fixed-bridge setup or an included gig bag. The premium listed price may also be difficult to justify for occasional use.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Black
- Body
- Alder
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Roasted Maple
- Fretboard
- Ebony
- Frets
- 22
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- HSS
- Tremolo
- Flicker III
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- Yes
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What pickups does the ESP E-II SN-III Flicker GunMet BK have?
It has a Seymour Duncan TB-15 bridge humbucker and two Seymour Duncan STK-S6 single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions, controlled by a five-way switch.
Does it include a case?
Yes. A case is included. A gig bag is not.
What are the neck and fretboard made of?
The bolt-on neck is roasted maple, and the fingerboard is ebony. The guitar has 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets.
What tremolo and tuning hardware are fitted?
It has a Flicker-III tremolo, a locking nut, and Gotoh locking machine heads.
Is this a beginner-friendly guitar?
Its 25.5-inch scale and standard single-cut-free solid-body layout are approachable, but the locking nut and tremolo can take extra effort to adjust. It is best suited to players comfortable with a more involved tuning setup.
The last word from the bench
This Japan-made guitar has a roasted maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Its Seymour Duncan HSS configuration and five-way switch offer several pickup combinations, while the locking nut, Gotoh locking tuners, and Flicker-III tremolo provide a feature-rich hardware setup. The included case is a useful addition, but no gig bag is supplied. With no customer reviews available, this assessment is based only on the listed specifications.
Hanging next to it
ESP E-II SN-III Flicker GunMet BK
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
Guitar Gear Reviews