ESP Eclipse

Infobox Guitar model|title=ESP Eclipse


bgcolor=#FFFFFF
manufacturer=ESP
period=unknown
bodytype=Solid
necktype=Neck-thru
woodbody=Mahogany
woodneck=3-piece Maple
woodfingerboard=Ebony
bridge=TonePros Locking Bridge with Stop Tailpiece
pickups=EMG 81 (Bridge)/EMG 60 (Neck)
colors=Black, Black Cherry

"ESP Eclipse" is a guitar model distributed by ESP.

There are many different variations of the guitar, including the ESP Eclipse-II, the ESP Eclipse Custom, the ESP LTD EC-1000 and the ESP LTD EC-500. There are no major differences between these different models, only changes in binding, colours, materials (on the lower level LTD's) and inlays.

The guitar's shape is based on, and is almost exactly the same as, the Gibson Les Paul, set aside the headstock shape and some minor body contour changes. The guitar has a 24.75 inch scale length, and most models are made from the classic partnership of a mahogany set neck set into a solid mahogany body.

This guitar is used by many rock and metal players, such as Kris Norris and James Hetfield, who currently has his own signature ESP Eclipse model - the ESP Truckster, which also comes in a cheaper LTD version.

ESP EC Series

The ESP EC is a series of electric guitars and bass guitars produced by ESP.

The EC Series is distributed in the United States and Europe in the LTD brand.

The EC Series is also known as the Eclipse Series.

Notable users of models in the EC Series include Adam "Nergal" Darski of Behemoth, James Hetfield of Metallica, Damon Johnson of Alice Cooper, Ted Aguilar of Death Angel, Mike Hartsfield of A-18, Paul Landers and Richard Z. Kruspe of Rammstein, Emppu Vuorinen of Nightwish, Alex Derosso, Bazie & Timo Timo of 69 Eyes, Michael Wilton of Queensrÿche, Chris Brown of Trapt, Kris Norris of Darkest Hour, Jeff Stinco of Simple Plan, Karma Cheema of Otep, Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die, Doug Weber of Terror and Justin Hagberg of 3 Inches of Blood.

The EC Series guitars are modeled after the Gibson Les Paul models by Gibson. The body shape is very similar to the Les Paul except that the cutaway has a wider angle. Because of this wider angle, access to the higher frets is made easier and allows for the construction of 24 fret ECs providing the same playing ease. Another similarity between the two guitars is the location of the 3-way toggle switch which has become a classic design scheme in Les Paul models. The series also includes basses.

Differences between the Les Paul and the EC include the number of volume and tone control knobs, the headstock shape, the inlays, and the brand of pickups. EC models have 2 volume knobs and 1 tone control knob except for the EC-500. The headstock shape is modified to fit the ESP design. The inlays are almost always flag inlays and the pickup combination is almost always an EMG 81 in the bridge position and an EMG 60 in the neck position. This pickup combination is also found on many guitars of the ESP EX series.

In 2003, ESP distributed its EC series with the EC-300, EC-300P, EC-300ATS, EC-100, EC-50, and EC-304ATS in production. The 300 and 304 models were discontinued and replaced by the EC-400, EC-400AT, EC-200, EC-404, and EC-254 in 2004. This production line continued into 2005. In 2006, the EC-500 was added to the series.

ESP LTD EC-500S

The EC-500 features set-in neck construction in a 24.75" scale. The ebony fingerboard features the model name at the 12th fret. It has 24 extra jumbo frets and an Earvana compensated nut. It comes in black satin with black hardware. The tuning pegs are Grover tuners. It has one volume and one tone control knob with a 3-way toggle.
*Other Specs
**Body Wood: Mahogany
**Neck Wood: 3-piece Mahogany
**Fingerboard Wood: Ebony
**Pickups: EMG 81 (Bridge)/EMG 60 (Neck)
**Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with Stop Tailpiece

ESP LTD EC-400

The EC-400 features set-in neck construction in a 24.75" scale. The fingerboard features flag inalys with the model name at the 12th fret. It has 24 extra jumbo frets and an Earvana compensated nut. It comes in Olympic white, see-thru black cherry, and black with black hardware and creme binding on the neck and headstock, and white binding on the see-thru black cherry and black versions. The tuning pegs are Grover tuners. It has two volume and one tone control knobs with a 3-way toggle. It is also available in a left-handed version in see-thru black without the Earvana compensated nut. It is also made in a vintage sunburst. The binding is white on this version.

There is also an EC-400AT version in metallic gold and black. This one has a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge position and a Seymour Duncan 59 in the neck position. It has creme binding on the body, neck, and headstock. This model also features an arched top.
*Other Specs
**Body Wood: Mahogany
**Neck Wood: Maple
**Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
**Pickups: EMG 81 (Bridge)/EMG 60 (Neck). On some versions of the vintage sunburst version, a Seymour Duncan Custom 5 is in the bridge position and a Seymour Duncan Jazz in the neck position.
**Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with Stop Tailpiece

ESP LTD EC-200

The EC-200 features set-in neck construction in a 24.75" scale. The fingerboard features dot inlays with the model name at the 12th fret. It has 24 extra jumbo frets. It comes in see-thru black with black hardware and white with white binding on the neck and headstock. It has two volume and one tone control knob with a 3-way toggle.
*Other Specs
**Body Wood: Agathis
**Neck Wood: 3-piece Mahogany
**Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
**Pickups: EMG-ESP LH-300
**Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with Stop Tailpiece

ESP LTD EC-100

The EC-100 features bolt-on neck construction in a 24.75" scale. The fingerboard features dot inlays with the model name at the 12th fret. It has 24 extra jumbo frets. It comes in see-thru black cherry with black hardware. It has two volume and one tone control knob with a 3-way switch. This model is also made in a left-handed version.
*Other Specs
**Body Wood: Agathis
**Neck Wood: Maple
**Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
**Pickups: ESP LH-150
**Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with Stop Tailpiece

ESP LTD EC-50

The EC-50 features bolt-on neck construction in a 24.75" scale. The fingerboard features dot inlays with the model name at the 12th fret. It has 24 extra jumbo frets. It comes in black, Olympic white, 2 tone burst, black satin and black cherry with black nickel hardware. It has two volume and one tone control knob with a 3-way switch. The EC-50 is also made in a left-handed version.
*Other Specs
**Body Wood: Agathis
**Neck Wood: Maple
**Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
**Pickups: ESP LH-150
**Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with Stop Tailpiece

ESP LTD EC-300

The EC-300 features set-in neck construction with a 24.75" scale. The fingerboard features flag inlays with the model name at the 12th fret. It has 24 extra jumbo frets. It comes in vintage sunburst, black, and see-thru black cherry with black hardware and white binding on the neck and headstock. It has two volume and one tone control knob with a 3-way toggle.

The EC-300P has Duncan Designed P90-1 pickups and comes in black and metallic gold with chrome hardware on the metallic gold version and black hardware on the black version.

The EC-300ATS has Duncan Designed HB-102 pickups with chrome covers. It comes in metallic gold and black with chrome hardware. It has 22 extra jumbo frets with creme binding on the body, neck, and headstock.
*Other Specs
**Body Wood: Mahogany
**Neck Wood: 3-piece Mahogany
**Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
**Pickups: EMG HZ H-1
**Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with Stop Tailpiece

ESP LTD EC-404

The EC-404 features set-in neck construction with a 34" scale. The fingerboard features flag inlays with the model name at the 12th fret. It has 22 extra jumbo frets. It comes in see-thru black with black chrome hardware and creme binding on the body, neck, and headstock. The tuning pegs are Grover tuners. It has one volume, one balance, and one tone control knob.
*Other Specs
**Body Wood: Mahogany
**Neck Wood: 5-piece Maple & Walnut
**Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
**Pickups: EMG 35-DC (Bridge)/EMG 35-CS (Neck)
**Bridge: Bass Tune-O-Matic with Stop Tailpiece

ESP LTD EC-254

The EC-254 features set-in neck construction with a 34" scale. The fingerboard features dot inlays with the model name at the 12th fret. It has 22 extra jumbo frets. It comes in see-thru black cherry and black with chrome hardware and creme binding on the body, neck, and headstock. It has one volume, one balance, and one tone control knob. The ESP LTD EC-304ATS, which was discontinued in 2004, features the exact same features as the EC-254.
*Other Specs
**Body Wood: Mahogany
**Neck Wood: 5-piece Maple & Walnut
**Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
**Pickups: EMG 35-HZ
**Bridge: Bass Tune-O-Matic with Stop Tailpiece

External links

* [http://www.espguitars.com/guitars_ec.html ESP EC at espguitars.com]
* [http://www.espguitars.com/esp2003/ec300.html ESP EC-300 at espguitars.com]
* [http://www.espguitars.com/esp2003/ec_300p.html ESP EC-300P at espguitars.com]
* [http://www.espguitars.com/esp2003/ec-304ats.html ESP EC-304ATS at espguitars.com]