ESP

ESP E-II Eclipse Electric Guitar Blue Fade

Name: ESP E-II Eclipse Electric Guitar Blue Fade
Brand: ESP
Price: 2899.0 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 80

80 EJ Score

Killer

$2,899.00

Check Price at Guitar Center

ESP's Japanese-built Eclipse is the thinking player's Les Paul alternative—thinner, lighter, with better upper fret access and active EMG humbuckers. MusicRadar gave it 4/5 stars, and users praise the coil-split versatility and set-thru construction's endless sustain.

Guitar ESP

Critics

MusicRadar 4.0/5.0

Community

—

80 EJ Score

Killer

Pros & Cons

Pros

+Superior upper fret access compared to Les Pauls thanks to deeper cutaway and thinner body profile
+Thinner body makes it noticeably lighter and more comfortable for extended playing sessions
+EMG active pickups with coil-split deliver excellent high-gain tones and surprising versatility with volume/tone adjustments
+Set-thru neck construction provides endless sustain and better resonance than bolt-on designs
+Ebony fingerboard, Gotoh TOM bridge, and locking tuners are all premium components at this price

Cons

−Active EMGs require battery changes and won't appeal to passive pickup purists
−Zero community reviews means we're relying entirely on critic assessment and retailer feedback
−Thinner body means less acoustic resonance than a full-thickness Les Paul
−At $2,899 you're competing with Gibson USA and PRS SE Custom 24 pricing

The Verdict

The Eclipse is what happens when you take the Les Paul concept and optimize it for modern players. Thinner, lighter, better access to the dusty end of the fretboard, and those EMGs are legitimately versatile if you give them a chance. The 80 EJ Score reflects solid critical approval but zero community validation—MusicRadar’s 4/5 is respectable but not a slam dunk. If you’re a metal or hard rock player who’s tired of fighting a Les Paul’s ergonomics, the Eclipse is absolutely worth trying. Just don’t expect vintage warmth from those active pickups.