ESP GUITARS

The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by ESP Company, Limited, located in North Hollywood, California, is a manufacturer of electric guitars and basses, originally from Japan.
In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products (ESP) in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation as a provider of high-quality replacement parts. At this time, ESP also began crafting guitars under the ESP and Navigator brand in the Japanese market.ESP began crafting custom instruments for local New York artists between 1984 and 1985. Among these artists were Page Hamilton of Helmet, Vernon Reid of Living Colour, Vinnie Vincent, Bruce Kulick of KISS, and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones. At this time, ESP also introduced the 400 Series as the first production line distributed in the US.
During this same period of time, ESP began making the bodies and necks for Kramer. Other manufacturers using ESP as an OEM were Robin Guitars [2], Schecter Guitar research and Dimarzio. Many traits of the Kramer line are still visible including neck construction and body bevels. ESP tooled up for Tom Anderson's shaved bolt on neck heel on the Schecter bodies, and has since become a feature of their house brand.
ESP Pointed Headstock.In 1986, George Lynch discovered ESP while on tour in Tokyo. Lynch walked into an ESP shop looking for a replacement neck and learned that ESP also built custom guitars. As a result, his famous ESP Kamikaze was made. ESP soon introduced the M1 Standard, MI Custom, Horizon Custom, and the Surveyor bass into the market.
In 1987, Kirk Hammett of Metallica discovered ESP and made his ESP KH-2 which was later released as a signature model in 1989. At this time, ESP released George Lynch's Kamikaze as its first signature model. ESP based its headquarters in a loft in downtown New York City on 19th Street. In 1989, the headquarters were moved to 48th Street near the famous music stores. Between 1990 and 1992, ESP expanded its Signature Series as well as its standard product line. The US replacement parts business was discontinued in order to switch focus solely on the guitar and bass line as well as the custom shop. There are about 41 signature series guitars.
In 2005, ESP celebrated its 30th Anniversary and released James Hetfield's "Truckster" into its Signature Series. In 2006, ESP showcased 22 of its newest Signature Series and Standard Series models at Winder NAMM 2006. The Standard Series models included such famous models as the ESP LTD EC-500 and the ESP LTD B-500. Among the signature artists showcasing their newest ESP models and signing autographs at the ESP booth were Dave Mustaine, George Lynch, Stephen Carpenter, Michael Wilton and Page Hamilton.


ESP Truckster Review:

Features : 10 As stated above. Aged grey primer finish, mahogany body, maple top, Sperzel tuners, rosewood fretboard, 2 volume controls, 1 tone control, EMG 81 bridge, EMG 60 neck, Tonepros locking bridge, Schaller straplocks, 22 frets, etc...
Sound : 10
This guitar is awesome. Great for rock/metal and even does jazz and blues well. Currently using the guitar with a Mesa Tremoverb and Mesa Mark IV. The EMG pickups are incredibly silent. No hum or buzz at all which is the great thing about EMG's. They have great tone and are completely silent. The tone of this guitar is amazing. I play mainly rock/metal and this guitar delivers. It has a incredible chunky tone with the highs and lows balanced perfectly. The EMG 81 is perfect for the bridge of this guitar, especially if rock/metal is your thing. The EMG 60 has the best clean. With a little chorus or reverb it chimes beautifully. The finish is done in the ESP Custom Shop to replicate James Hetfields personal guitar exactly. The aged primer finish of the ESP version is amazing. Pictures do not do the finish justice. I really didn't like the looks of the guitar when I first saw pictures of them but once I saw one in person and played it I was hooked. It is now my favorite guitar. I own several other ESP and Gibson Les Pauls and this stands up well with all of them.
Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
The guitar was set up perfectly. Of course the dealer I bought it from did a complete setup, to my preferences, before I took it home. The fit and finish of the guitar is flawless. ESP Custom Shop did a great job as usual. I've seen and played a few of the Ltd. version Trucksters and while they play ok they don't even compare to the ESP version. The finish of most of the Ltd. version Trucksters are pretty ugly and don't even look like Hetfields personal guitar. The ESP version plays and sounds 10 times better and the finish of the guitar is an exact replica. The ESP version is definitely worth the extra $$$ over the Ltd. version if you can afford it.
Reliability/Durability : 10
I've owned the guitar for over a year now and have played it alot. Everything still looks great and the aged finish and hardware finish still looks new. I've used the guitar alot at practice gigs and such and have never had a problem. I probably will never use it live because of it being a Hetfield sig. It is still my main guitar outside of live playing though.
Overall Rating : 10 I really love this guitar. From the finish to the way it sounds, feels and plays. If the guitar was stolen I would replace it with another Truckster or go for a ESP Custom Shop guitar with the same specs but not a signature guitar.