ESP E-II Eclipse DB Review

Many musicians have long trusted the ESP Eclipse. And in this ESP E-II Eclipse DB review, I will tell you about the model from the E-II series, which replaced the ESP Standard line in 2014. It’s something between LTD and USA models; it’s quite affordable and made in Japan. But this is not a budget version, and its capabilities speak for themselves. So let’s take a closer look at it.

Body

The ESP E-II Eclipse DB has a classic look. The Solid Mahogany body has excellent resonance properties. The maple top adds articulation here. In addition to the Black Glossy colorway, there are two other rather unusual Purple Sparkle and Granite Sparkle colors in the lineup that may please many with their defiant look from the stage. The curved top and cutaway make it extremely comfortable.

The hardware is in Gold for the Black color and Black Nickel for the other two. The design certainly looks impressive. True rock at a glance! The Gotoh TOM fixed bridge/tailpiece is of excellent quality and provides a lengthy sound. At the same time, the placement of the knobs is unusual. The separate push-pull controls for each cartridge on the two volume knobs to separate the coils are at the bottom of the body. The Toggle Switch is on the opposite side. Well, it’s a matter of getting used to it.

Pickup system

The E-II Eclipse features active, aggressive EMG pickups. They unleash this guitar’s full potential. And you won’t have to replace them for a long time, the quality is superb. You get the accuracy and distortion you need. Very similar to the vintage PAF hum, sure to please metal fans. But it should be pointed out that the EMG 81 Bridge and EMG 60 Neck will never give you a clean sound like the single-coil humbuckers. This guitar has its own character.

Neck, fingerboard, headstock

Want to play fast and smooth? The 1Pc Mahogany U-shaped neck gives you that. It is attached to the body with a Set-In system. The construction is exceptionally stable when playing, and you get full access to the top notes. Vintage and classic throughout is the credo of the E-II Eclipse. The 24.75″ Ebony fretboard has 22 XJ frets and a 12″ radius. And there are also Gotoh Locking Tuners of high quality to complete the look.

Sound quality

This guitar is definitely suitable for those who appreciate Heavy Metal and Hard Rock. Guaranteed! But one is not as unipolar as it may seem. It just feels perfect in that genre. Otherwise, the ESP E-II Eclipse DB sounds warm and distinct enough (though not perfectly clean), which means it can handle jazz, blues and R&B, and other directions. It’s powerful, sonorous, and gives great sustenance. So go for it, friends; it’s a great electric guitar.