ESP E-II Eclipse
first play
17
December 2017 Gu itarist
E-II ECLIPSE AND ECLIPSE DB
woodwork in the form of a belly cut for
added comfort, and a couple of control
cavities for access to the wiring.
The Eclipse DB has a LP Custom-style
double-bound body with a more traditional
set-neck construction. The path to the
upper fret isn’t quite as clear as the other
Eclipse but still that aged binding looks the
absolute business set against the Vintage
Black paintwork. We also love how the DB’s
rear belly scoop cuts cleanly through the
binding. It’s a beautifully executed touch
of class. In addition to the two control
cavities shared with its Vintage Honey
Burst flavoured-brother, the DB features a
nine-volt battery cover with a military spec
aesthetic, not unlike the rear panel on a
Casio G-Shock watch.
The battery hatch on the DB is a clue to
the most important difference between
these two Eclipse models: the engine room.
The DB comes with the classic metal setup
of active EMG 81 pick up in the bridge
position and EMG 60 at the neck.
The other Eclipse conducts its business
via the iconic Seymour Duncan humbucker
pairing of a bridge-mounted SH-4 JB ‘Jazz
Blues’ – best known by everyone as the ‘Jeff
Beck’ – and its faithful companion, the SH-1
’59, in the front position.
Both guitars feed their pickups through
a wiring loom spec’d with two volumes,
master tone and three-way pickup selector.
And there’s our cue to plug in...
Sounds & Feel
Straight from the case, the action on
these guitars is so low a hapless microbe
wandering across these fingerboards might
bump its head on the bottom of the strings.
This state of affairs is perfect for legato-
lusting shredders with a light touch. If,
on the other hand, you like to thump your
strings to jelly you’ll likely have to raise
3. The hardware on both
is sourced from Gotoh
including a tune-a-matic
bridge, stop tailpiece and
a set of locking tuners.
You also get a set of
Schaller strap locks
4. The Vintage Honey
Burst Eclipse features
a set-thru neck with a
sculpted area where it
meets the body. This
provides superb access
to the upper frets
A microbe wandering on these fi ngerboards
might bump its head on the bottom of the low
strings, which makes them ideal for shredders
the action a bit to bump off any unwanted
buzzes and rattles. Both Eclipses play
identically on the fretboard. Upper access
is smoother on the Vintage Honey Burst
model but it’s still pretty good on the DB
thanks to the slim body dimensions.
Most of us have tried the Seymour JB/’59
setup, haven’t we? The JB sparkles on
a clean setting but really comes into its
own with some old school overdrive. It’s a
cracking classic rock meets blues pickup
and produces enough power without
compromising tone and warmth. The ’59 is
everything its name suggests. Smooth and
woody, it works well for clean blues or jazz.
We like the way it warms up when you take
the tone control down a couple of notches.
Adding some grit dials in a flutey sounding
sustain that favours laconic blues noodling.
Next up is the Eclipse DB. The old cliché
that the EMG 81 and EMG 60 don’t do
clean has its basis in truth. Those powerful
ceramic magnets held within are at their
happiest with a serious dose of distortion.
We doubt that anyone has ever installed an
EMG 81 bucker only to strum through Terry
Jack’s Seasons In The Sun. Nope, these pups
are better suited to much more vicious fare
VIDEO DEMO http://bit.ly/guitaristextra
4
3
GIT427.rev_esp.indd 17 11/2/17 11:08 AM