ESP E-II Viper See Thru BK Cherry

ESP E-II Viper See Thru BK Cherry: a specification-led review

The ESP E-II Viper See Thru BK Cherry is a set-thru electric guitar built around a mahogany body and mahogany neck. Its listed finish is See Thru Black Cherry, while the basic color entry says Cherry. The product has been available since May 2023, and its listed item number is 565426. The supplied price is 2666, with no currency specified in the available information.

No customer reviews are available for this model. This assessment therefore focuses on the published construction details and components, rather than claimed playing impressions or sound tests. The specifications identify a fixed-bridge, dual-humbucker configuration, an ebony fingerboard, 22 stainless steel frets, and an included fitted case.

Construction and neck dimensions

Both the body and neck are made from mahogany. The neck uses set-thru construction, which joins the neck and body through an extended joint rather than a conventional bolt-on attachment. The supplied specifications do not give body thickness, neck depth measurements, or weight, so those details cannot be established here.

The neck profile is listed as Thin U. Its 42 mm bone nut and 629 mm scale length define key points of the playing layout. The scale length is also given as 24.75 inches, a shorter format than a 25.5-inch scale. String tension and feel depend on several factors, including string gauge and tuning, so the scale figure alone cannot establish how the guitar will feel in use.

The ebony fingerboard has a 305 mm, or 12-inch, radius. It carries 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. Stainless steel is the specified fret material, while the extra-jumbo size describes the fret wire dimensions. The listing does not provide fret measurements or setup tolerances. There is no separate top listed, so the stated body wood is mahogany rather than a specified additional cap.

Pickups and controls

The pickup system is an HH arrangement, with one Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic Black pickup in the neck position and another in the bridge position. The specification names the pickup models but does not detail their available voicings, switching options, or wiring scheme. It would be inaccurate to assume additional pickup modes or a particular control layout beyond what is listed.

The controls are volume, tone, and a toggle switch. The toggle provides a means of selecting between pickup positions, but the supplied data does not state whether the guitar has coil splitting, push-pull controls, or other switching functions. Buyers seeking those details should verify the wiring configuration with ESP or a retailer before purchase.

Bridge, tuning hardware, and finish

A Gotoh TOM bridge and tailpiece form the fixed bridge assembly. The guitar has no tremolo. Gotoh locking machine heads are specified, along with black hardware. The listed strings are Elixir Nanoweb Light. The supplied information does not name the individual string gauges, so the word "Light" should not be treated as a full gauge specification.

The See Thru Black Cherry finish is the most specific finish description in the listing. The separate color field says Cherry, which appears to be a simplified color category. No finish material or gloss level is stated. That distinction matters for shoppers comparing product photos or matching the guitar to a particular shade: the available text supports the finish name, but not a precise visual description beyond it.

What the specifications establish

• Construction: Mahogany body and neck, joined with set-thru construction.
• Fingerboard: Ebony, with a 12-inch radius and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets.
• Scale and nut: 24.75-inch scale length and 42 mm bone nut.
• Electronics: Two Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic Black pickups, with volume, tone, and toggle controls.
• Hardware: Gotoh TOM bridge and tailpiece, Gotoh locking tuners, and black hardware.
• Included item: ESP Viper guitar fitted case. No gig bag is listed.

Buying considerations

The listed specifications make the E-II Viper a defined option for players looking for a mahogany set-thru guitar with two Fishman Fluence humbuckers and a fixed bridge. The shorter scale, Thin U neck profile, ebony fingerboard, and stainless steel frets are useful points of comparison against other guitars. They do not, by themselves, establish comfort, balance, pickup response, or build quality on an individual instrument.

The package includes a fitted case, and the listing explicitly says that a gig bag is not included. Before ordering, confirm the exact finish, current price and currency, and control wiring with the seller. Since no customer feedback or hands-on measurements are available in the supplied data, any judgment about sound, setup, weight, or playability would require an in-person test or further manufacturer information.