ESP E-II Horizon

Premium Japanese-Made Superstrat for Shred and Versatility

The ESP E-II Horizon is a flagship Superstrat electric guitar handcrafted in Japan, renowned for its exceptional build quality, playability, and tonal versatility. Ideal for metal, hard rock, and progressive players across Australia, it features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, set-thru neck, and high-end pickups like Seymour Duncan or EMG for dynamic, high-gain tones. Available in finishes such as Reindeer Blue, Black Turquoise Burst, and Vintage Black, it’s celebrated for its premium components and lifetime reliability, making it a stage and studio favorite.

High-Quality Performance

The E-II Horizon excels in aggressive, articulate sound:

• Body: Mahogany with a carved quilted maple top for warm resonance and enhanced sustain, delivering a balanced response with punchy mids and clear highs. The double-cutaway design ensures ergonomic comfort and seamless upper-fret access.
• Tone: Versatile and responsive, from tight chugs to soaring leads, with the set-thru neck providing “eternal sustain.” The 25.5″ scale length offers a familiar feel with modern speed.
• Pickups: Options include Seymour Duncan Jazz/Custom 5 passive humbuckers (neck/bridge) for responsive, versatile tones, or EMG 66TW/57TW active humbuckers with coil-splitting for high-output aggression and single-coil clarity. Push-pull controls on volume/tone knobs enable coil-splitting on select models.
• Neck: Set-thru 3-piece maple neck with a thin U-profile and satin finish for lightning-fast playability. The ebony fingerboard has a 12″-16″ compound radius, 22 extra-jumbo frets, and offset block inlays for effortless shredding.
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Original or 1000 Series double-locking tremolo for rock-solid intonation and expressive vibrato, supporting dive-bombs and pull-ups.
• Controls: Master volume and tone knobs with a 3-way toggle switch; push-pull options for coil-splitting on active models.

Users rave about its quality and feel, with a Sweetwater review stating, “The Horizon FR is a shredder’s dream—fast neck, versatile pickups, and the Floyd Rose holds up perfectly.” Guitar Interactive Magazine praises its “outstanding arched quilted maple top” and “excellent tone” in the Black Ocean finish. Some note the satin neck may attract fingerprints, but it’s a minor trade-off for smoothness.

Durable and Stylish Design

• Finishes: Reindeer Blue, Black Turquoise Burst, Vintage Black, with multi-ply binding and chrome hardware for a premium aesthetic.
• Weight: Approximately 7.5–8.5 lbs, balancing comfort and resonance.
• Hardware: Chrome, with Gotoh locking tuners for reliable tuning.
• Build Quality: Set-thru maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and bound mahogany body for superior sustain and durability. Includes a form-fitting hardshell case.

Backed by a 5-year warranty, it’s built to last. Prices range from $2,000–$2,500 USD (AUD 3,000–3,750), available at Audio Shop Australia, Sweetwater, and Mannys Music.

Key Performance Features

• Body: Mahogany with Quilted Maple Top, Double-Cutaway
• Neck: Set-Thru 3-Piece Maple, Thin U Profile
• Fingerboard: Ebony, 12″-16″ Compound Radius, 22 Extra-Jumbo Frets
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan Jazz/Custom 5 or EMG 66TW/57TW Humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Original/1000 Series Double-Locking Tremolo
• Tuners: Gotoh Locking, Chrome
• Controls: Master Volume/Tone (Push-Pull Coil-Split), 3-Way Toggle
• Warranty: 5 years

Notes

• Setup Tip: Adjust Floyd Rose for stability; professional setup recommended for compound radius. Use medium-gauge strings (e.g., 10–46) for balanced tension. Pair with Rode PodMic and RØDECaster Pro II for recording demos.
• Care Instructions: Store in the included hardshell case to protect the finish; clean with a soft cloth.
• Compatibility: Works with standard amps; pair with Fender Tone Master for cleans or Mesa/Boogie for high-gain. Test non-ESP pickups for matching.
• Warranty: Register at espguitars.com for support; verify purchase from authorized retailers like Audio Shop Australia.
• Community Feedback: Sweetwater users give it 5/5, praising the “lightning-fast neck” and “versatile pickups.” Guitar Interactive Magazine highlights its “spectacular looks and tone” in Reindeer Blue.

Why Choose Audio Shop Australia

• 100% genuine ESP E-II products with manufacturer warranty
• Fast, reliable delivery across Audio Shop Australia with secure checkout
• Free shipping on orders over $100 (under 20kg) at Audio Shop Australia
• Expert advice from our team of music professionals
• Trusted by guitarists and performers at Audio Shop Australia