ESP E-II Eclipse

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first play
E-II ECLIPSE AND ECLIPSE DB
18
Guitarist December 2017
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like Slayer’s Seasons In The Abyss. That’s
why the 81 has become so important in
metal, thanks to the likes of Zakk Wylde.
Yes, the EMG 81 is a beast with an
impressive power output, but what makes it
so enjoyable is its razor-sharp articulation.
You can discern every note regardless of
how miffed your gain section is, and it
works great with the DB’s mahogany/maple
carcass: there’s a huge amount of sustain.
Adding the ceramic-mag powered
EMG 60 introduces a bit more bottom end
grunt to the proceedings, and running it
solo makes for a stellar, almost synthesizer-
like, lead tone. Even in that position, there’s
still plenty of clarity. Active EMGs don’t
suffer from the muddiness inherent in
many passive neck ’buckers.
Verdict
ESP has long been typecast as a go-to make
for metalheads and shredders, a situation
5 . Those Les Paul
comparisons are going
nowhere, but with such
a classy black fi nish and
gold trimmings what’s
wrong with emulating
your heroes and looking
so good in doing so?
6. Send a wave of
distortion through the
DB’s active EMG 81 pick
up in the bridge and see
what all the fuss is about
7. Both guitars come with
ESP’s super slim Thin
U neck profi le and a
set of 22 extra jumbo
frets. The action is set
incredibly low
A comfortable neck, excellent
upper fret access and super low
action aren’t just for metalheads
5
7
6
GIT427.rev_esp.indd 18 11/2/17 11:08 AM