NAMM 2019: ESP offers a peek at its full 2019 line-up

With NAMM 2019 just around the bend, ESP has revealed an official preview of its 2019 models. This comprehensive list covers a slew of new models and updates, so strap in as we bring you the latest from the Japanese brand.

ESP/LTD Signature Series

Six new signature models will come along in 2019. Standout pieces include a dark outfit for Code Orange’s Reba Meyers as well as a tiger-themed axe for rock icon George Lynch.

Reba Meyers LTD RM-600

The Reba Meyers LTD RM-600 will be ESP’s first signature axe for a female guitarist. This Viper-shaped beauty is loaded with a single EMG 81 pickup sporting a special orange logo – a nod to Meyers’ Grammy-nominated band, Code Orange.

Stephen Carpenter’s LTD SC-607B1H

ESP has also unveiled a striking purple axe for Deftones’ Stephen Carpenter. This seven-stringed beast sports a 27-inch-long baritone scale and a neck-through-body build, and it’s loaded with a set of Carpenter’s signature Fishman Fluence humbuckers.

George Lynch’s LTD GL-200MT

The LTD GL-200MT is a wallet-friendly version of Lynch’s stunning M-1 Tiger guitar. It’s a head-turner, sporting a bright yellow finish that’s dashed with black tiger stripe graphics. In terms of tonewoods, this bolt-on guitar features a basswood body, a maple neck, and a maple fingerboard. Rounding off its features are a Floyd Rose bridge and a single custom ESP LH150B humbucker at the bridge.

Frank Bello’s LTD FBJ-400 

Anthrax’s eminent bassist, Frank Bello, will be getting a second ESP signature bass. This four-string sports a mahogany body, a maple neck and a Macassar ebony fingerboard adorned with glow-in-the-dark side markers. A gorgeous red binding is complemented by red covers for the instrument’s EMG P-HZ and LJ-HZ passive pups.

Ted Aguilar’s LTD TED-600T

This new TE-shaped model is the second signature model for the Death Angel guitar-slinger. Like its predecessor, the LTD TED-600T sports a similar all-white aesthetic: its EMG 60/81 pups sport white covers that match the pristine Snow White body and white binding. Elsewhere, the guitar features a neck-thru-body construction and a mahogany body with a maple cap.

Ken Susi’s LTD KS-M6

The LTD KS-M6 is a six-string version of Susi’s first ESP signature model. It features a 25.5-inch scale, a neck-through-body construction and a sparkling Metallic Silver finish. Electronics-wise, the axe is loaded with a Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker set: an alnico pup slots in at the neck, while a ceramic pickup sits at the bridge. An EverTune bridge rounds off its key features.

Updated finishes

Gary Holt’s LTD GH-600 piece will now be offered in an arresting Snow White finish, while fans of Bill Kelliher can now get his LTD Sparrowhawk in a smart Black finish.

ESP USA Series

Seven new USA models are slated to arrive in 2019. As with the other models in this series, you can customise each guitar to your own preferences.

ESP USA Horizon-II

Leading the line is the USA Horizon-II. This guitar comes with the option of a stunning two-toned Wild Berry Fade finish. It sports a set-through build, with a three-piece maple neck that encourages better sustain. In terms of hardware, the guitar boasts a TonePros locking Tune-o-Matic bridge with string thru body and Sperzel locking tuners. You can select between EMG or Seymour Duncan pickups.

ESP USA M-I FR-DLX

This bolt-on model sports a mahogany body, a maple neck and an ebony fingerboard. For hardware, it’s fitted with a Floyd Rose Original bridge and Sperzel tuners. Tone comes by way of a single EMG or Seymour Duncan pickup.

ESP USA M-I NTB FR & USA M-I NTB NT

These two guitars both sport neck-through-body designs, mahogany bodies, a three-piece maple neck and an ebony fingerboard. They differ in terms of the hardware choice, though. The FR model is fitted with a Floyd Rose Original bridge, while the NT model comes with a TonePros locking string-through Tune-o-Matic bridge.

ESP USA V-II FR & USA V-II NT

These two guitars sport ESP’s popular V-II shape. They both have a neck-through-body design, a mahogany body, a maple neck and an ebony fingerboard. However, the FR is equipped with a Floyd Rose Original bridge, while the NT model opts for the TonePros locking string-through Tune-o-Matic bridge.

ESP E-II Series

The E-II Series has garnered a reputation for being some of the best instruments made at the ESP factory. The 2019 line-up looks to build on that reputation.

ESP E-II Arrow-NT

The E-II Arrow-NT is a non-tremolo version of the standard E-II Arrow model. It features a neck-through-body construction, with an alder body, a maple neck and an ebony fingerboard. Hardware-wise, it packs a string-through Gotoh Tune-o-Matic bridge and Gotoh locking tuners. Tone is provided by a EMG 85/81 pickup set.

Available in Black, Snow White, and Black Silver Fade.

ESP Eclipse-7 EverTune

New to the Eclipse line is the Eclipse-7 EverTune. This seven-string beast sports the brand’s innovative EverTune constant tension bridge system and boasts a special Seymour Duncan Sentient/Pegasus pickup set with push/pull coil-splitting functions.

ESP E-II Eclipse

You can select three new finishes and top wood options for the E-II Eclipse. These models are loaded with the new EMG 57/66 TWIN set that allows you to split the coils of each active pickup.

Available in Blue Natural Fade finish (buckeye burl maple top) Black Natural Burst finish (flamed maple top) and Snow White Satin finish (maple top).

New E-II Horizon models

Three new E-II Horizon models have been added to the E-II range as well. They have figured maple tops and coil-splitting functions, but there are a few nuances to the trio:

The E-II Horizon-III FR has a neck-through body and a Floyd Rose Original bridge. It’s also loaded with a set of Seymour Duncan SH-2n/Custom 5 pickups. And it comes an arresting Black Cherry Fade coat.

On the other hand, the E-II Horizon FR is decked in a Black Natural Burst finish. It too includes a Floyd Rose Original bridge, but opts for the Seymour Duncan Sentient/Pegasus pickup set.

Finally, the E-II Horizon NT-II comes in a Tiger Eye Amber Fade finish and is hooked up to an EMG 66-TW/57-TW splittable pickup set.

Bare Knuckle pickups for new E-II models

Having gathered feedback from players, ESP has decided to add Bare Knuckle pickups to three new E-II models.

First up is the E-II M-II NT. This guitar is loaded with Bare Knuckle Aftermath Tyger pickups. Elsewhere, the guitar sports a beautiful buckeye burl maple top that’s decked in a Black Natural Fade finish. ESP has opted to go with the Hipshot bridge for this model.

The E-II M-II 7 is a purple seven-string beast that’s loaded with a set of Bare Knuckle Warpig 7st Tyger pickups,

A new model – the E-II SN-2 – sports the Bare Knuckle Aftermath Battleworn pickups. It will have a classic body shape that’s made from alder as well as a bolt-on neck. Rounding off the guitar’s specs are a Floyd Rose Original bridge and a soothing Blue Natural Fade finish.

ESP E-II Viper

The E-II Viper concludes the new additions to the E-II series. This is an upgrade to the original asymmetrical double-cut Viper shape. Its highlights include high-end components such as a bone nut, Schaller straplocks, Gotoh locking tuners, and a Gotoh Tune-o-Matic bridge and tailpiece. Electronic-wise, the E-II viper has an EMG 66/57 TWIN pickup set with coil-splitting functions installed.

Available in Black and Urban Camo finishes.

More information at espguitars.com.