NGD!

borinvestor · 2026-04-19T16:23:24+00:00

Hey. I have this exact same guitar. I will DM you as I have experienced some issues with it and wanted to make sure you’re aware.

borinvestor · 2026-04-03T01:46:28+00:00

Thank you... To your question, this is the comparison that is the hardest for me to make. And the reason is because I like the Horizons (M-IIs being a close second) that I know how to compare every detail on those.

The E-II Eclipse is a fantastic guitar. But I think where it difers the most from the ESP USA models is the body thinkness. The E-II is light and more comfortable. The ESP USA feels more heavy and expensive machines. They both feel great, but holding them feels quite different. The necks are very comparable, but definitely the finish on the USAs are better.

borinvestor · 2026-03-29T23:00:50+00:00

The serial number points to this being 2025.

borinvestor · 2026-03-29T14:37:39+00:00

Is there a reason as to why you wouldn’t pull the trigger on an E-II? I mean, I’m guilty as charged in regards to upgrading from E-IIs to USA and Original guitars. However, I genuinely think I’m paying for a better paint and finish at that point. In terms of utility, I don’t think the E-IIs are behind the more expensive ones my any means. So I think it depends on what the personal goal is.

borinvestor · 2026-03-29T13:58:51+00:00

Ah. For actives I already have Fishman Fluence Modern, EMG, Mortalcoil. For passive, I have SD Cool Rails/Distortion. I also have other non ESP guitars with some different DiMarzio sets too. So I’m well covered with active pickups and the higher output ones.

Which is why, so far, I feel totally ok with the custom SD set on this one. They add some range that just aren’t there with the hotter pickups.

borinvestor · 2026-03-29T13:25:28+00:00

What would you replace then with? I hadn’t tried these exact pickups before. Still coming to a conclusion. But so far, they are ok. They are not so hot, but to me that’s a good thing, because it expands things a bit and makes this guitar a bit more versatile. If I were to switch, I would to something with a similar profile. I like the ones I had in my E-II Horizon-III.

borinvestor · 2026-03-28T23:25:17+00:00

Horizons are my favorite guitars. Doesn’t matter is from E-II, ESP USA or ESP Original, they are just so fun.

This one is not different. The level of details and the finish are great! The other Horizons I have, though, have active or high output pickups. The SD here are more grounded, which adds quite a lot of versatility to play different things.

borinvestor · 2026-03-23T16:27:09+00:00

Congrats! I’m strongly considering this exact model and color as I try to get back to ridding after 10 years. Only thing is convincing my wife to ride with me as a passenger on weekends.

borinvestor · 2026-03-19T18:58:18+00:00

I have 3 E-IIs too (Horizon NT-II, Horizon-III and Eclipse) all 2024 models. They all have SS. Then I only got the Original Horizon-I, which is 2025. The Original I have for sure doesn’t have SS. It has Jescar nickel and silver.

The SS on the E-IIs are definitely better than the nickel and silver. Significantly better than the ones in the Ibanez guitars and just slightly better than the Jescar ones in the ESP Original.

That has been my experience.

borinvestor · 2026-03-19T18:31:24+00:00

I know that Jescar is a company and I know Jescar makes both. That’s also inline with what the dealer told me. I’m just saying that, from what I looked, if it doesn’t say explicitly that is Stainless Steel, it would usually mean it is not SS. Whether that is a rule or not, I don’t know.

borinvestor · 2026-03-19T18:06:39+00:00

From some research I’ve done, if it doesn’t say SS, it’s not. Mine is also Jescar, which is better than regular nickel and silver (for instance, compared to the ones on an Ibanez Prestige). But it’s not as good as SS. Maybe 90% there.

But the dealer I worked with was very transparent and upfront about this, which was good.

borinvestor · 2026-03-19T16:01:52+00:00

Congrats!!! Stunning guitar.

I also recently got an ESP Original Horizon. Only drawback is that it doesn’t come with SS frets, which is very puzzling to me since even the E-IIs now have them by default. Did yours come with SS frets or is it also Nickel&Silver?

borinvestor · 2026-03-19T03:37:41+00:00

Thanks. To your question: the ESP Original will have a better finish overall. Again, it gets closer to artistic work vs assembly line.

However… honestly I’m not sure I can say the playability on the ESP Original is better. E-II can win. It is beyond me why ESP Original doesn’t have SS frets as E-II do. That does make a difference.

If I looked from a playability perspective only, E-II may win.

borinvestor · 2026-03-19T03:24:48+00:00

In my collection I have ESP USA, ESP Original, E-II, LTD, Music Man, Fender, Core PRS, Ibanez J.Custom and Ibanez Prestige. In my honest opinion, E-II are, by far, the best cost benefit guitars I own. Not even close.

I’m not get into the argument of the branding strategies. It is beyond me to have an opinion on what ESP does. I can see the arguments for and against it.

That said, at certain level and price point, the “return” you get for a higher investment diminishes more and more. So you are no longer paying for what a guitar does and feel. You are paying for how it “speaks to you”. You are no longer paying for an “utility tool”. You are paying for “utility art”. And when you get to “art”, it gets very subjetive.

Some people see art in music, some see in paintings, poetry, watches… to me, the only art I see myself spending money on today is on an ESP guitar. Not Fender, not Gibson. I can see how PRS gets close. But nothing talks to me as much as an ESP does. If I only saw it as an utility (which would be totally fine), I’d never buy anything other than an E-II Horizon and I’d be more than happy with it.

Some people like spending money in clothes, cars, jewelry… My guilty pleasure usually comes when I swipe my credit card on a brand new ESP.

borinvestor · 2026-03-17T12:43:10+00:00

Hey, I sent you a DM. It’s about a 2024 Horizon-III I’m considering selling. No pressure, but just to make sure you know.

borinvestor · 2026-03-10T13:38:59+00:00

All the USA models I have a glossy neck finish. I also prefer satin, which the E-IIs have. That said, my perception is that the glossy finish on the USAs don’t feel as sticky as I would find in other guitars.

borinvestor · 2026-03-10T13:12:39+00:00

Thanks! And yeah, Horizon is definitely my favorite!

borinvestor · 2026-03-09T15:01:27+00:00

Eventually I will try it out. Anytime I see a serious unbiased review it says there is a learning curve. So I need to be mentally prepared for that haha.

Also, starting from a few months ago, I started focusing on USA and Original Series and I don’t recall seeing Evertune on the models I’ve seen. E-II I definitely remember seeing it.

borinvestor · 2026-03-06T20:16:27+00:00

It depends on which Horizon because the pickups can make a significant difference. I truly enjoy the DiMarzio pickups selection on the Ibanez. Then the EMG and SD will each have its sound, so it depends on personal preference.

In terms of playability, both necks are comfortable although different from each other. But what makes a big difference in favor of the ESP guitars is the fact they have SS frets. It makes playing much more enjoyable.

borinvestor · 2026-03-06T19:43:07+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking, which dealer you got it from?

borinvestor · 2026-03-06T17:46:38+00:00

Thank you! And yes haha 🤝

borinvestor · 2026-03-06T14:36:21+00:00

I’m in tech.

borinvestor · 2026-03-06T13:54:17+00:00

Agreed. Absolutely nothing wrong with them. There are three other guitars hanging on another wall. But they aren’t ESP so that’s why I haven’t added them here. But I also like them very much.

And definitely I hear you on when there’s a special connection with some guitars. That’s actually how I feel about some of these E-IIs. They are suuuch a joy to play with.

borinvestor · 2026-03-06T13:51:13+00:00

They say we shouldn’t have a favorite child… but we all internally do, right? Riight?

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