ESP E-II Horizon FM NT (Dark Brown Sunburst)

General

This is the Japanese built ESP E-II Horizon FM NT, with a mahogany body and book-matched, flamed maple top, finished in Dark Brown Sunburst and mounted with Seymour Duncan electronics and Gotoh hardware. A crafted work of art to look at and a pleasure to play, the E-II Horizon, while comparable to the astronomically priced Horizon DSB model, offers superior build at an excellent price.

Construction

The body of this particular Horizon is loosely derived from the famous ST models but has been improved in many ways to enhance playing comfort. The tried and tested combination of mahogany and maple top has been selected to gift this guitar with a full sound sculpted by rich mids and sparkling accents. The 25.5 inch set-through, glued neck results in truly amazing sustain and finally, the ebony fingerboard coats everything in warm overtones and increases playing comfort. Gotoh have provided the tuners and the TOM-style bridge and the strap-locks are from trusted German company, Schaller.

Duncan SH-2 and SH-16

With a guitar of this stature, you need to mount pickups of the same calibre. Here, ESP have opted for a Seymour Duncan SH-2 at the neck and an SH-16 at the bridge position. The SH-2 is perhaps better known as the Duncan Jazz and delivers a clear sound with a vintage output while the SH-16 is a hybrid element: one coil comes from the Duncan '59 and the other from the high output Duncan Custom. These uniquely 'mismatched' coils deliver medium output, a wonderfully rough edge and a rich overall tone.