IS this a Real ESP?

[CharvelRocker]

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=891542

Does anyone have a clue what that is? The 3 piece body and his story makes me a tad suspicious, along with the seemingly low price for a Japanese ESP. I don't want to make an offer until I figure out what it is.

[DonP]

The headstock looks like ESP's I've seen.

The control cover isn't like my 1989 ESP, but I'm not sure what the cover looked like in 1982.

Beats me?

[JacksonCharvelESP]

Well, the guy is a new member, First flag. The description is kind of.. over convincing, almost like he is trying to hide something, Second flag.

I'm not an ESP know it all so I can't say if it's real. But don't just forget about it cause that is an amazing price for a guitar with an ESP logo on it. So the sale could be legit. Just make sure you, get a picture of the guitar and the guys username and email and sheet of paper next to the guitar so you know he actually has it. And visit an ESP forum and let thoses gurus take a peak at it. Although they may snatch it before you.lol

Good luck!

[surfdork]

I'm no expert either...but I say it's an early ESP with an added floyd. The headstock is early ESP style for sure. And I've had an old ESP body with that style electronics route.

[lynchfan6]

I own a Japanese ESP m-ii,, but I'm far from an ESP expert. However, I just wanted to say that a lot of older m-ii's go for around $500-600 on ebay, so I'm not sure the asking price on this one is necessarily low. I'd say this model of ESP is probably less popular than something like a japanese M-ii or Mirage....so maybe make a lower offer and see what happens. It is scary, because this isn't a typical m-ii/mirage model to easily identify, and because you can so easily buy brand logos to apply yourself.

[CharvelRocker]

Thanks. the money order thing sent up a red flag to some degree, but then again I know people (me included) hate dealing with paypal. Asked him a few questions. Worse I can say is no. In the mean time, I'll do more digging. I'm thinking it's legit based on the comments about the control route, and the fact I've never seen an ESP headstock recreated.

[markD]

looks real to me. i had a friend with an ESP like that one.

[mr426]

I have a buch of old ESP catalogs and it looks to me like the Floyd, EMG's and paint is not original. The control route looks wrong too. Good guitar thought.

[JacksonCharvelESP]

Thanks. the money order thing sent up a red flag to some degree, but then again I know people (me included) hate dealing with paypal. Asked him a few questions. Worse I can say is no. In the mean time, I'll do more digging. I'm thinking it's legit based on the comments about the control route, and the fact I've never seen an ESP headstock recreated.

oh man
CJRocker!!!!
It's a small world. You probably don't know me but I've seen you post a bunch around UG.
I'm shredforbread33 (currently banned)

[Snoogans]

Looks good to me, but as was mentioned previously the pickups and Floyd aren't original...

[Bryan]

I agree. That's about what the older ESPs are going for. I can't imagine why older ESPs don't hold their value, as they are fantastic guitars. From the closeups this one's definitely got some miles on it.

[shobet]

Looks real enough to me. The neckplate logo and serial look the same as mine. Headstock looks the correct shape as well.

[NextInLine]

Well I don't know much about Esps but I don't see anything unusual in the description

[CharvelRocker]

oh man
CJRocker!!!!
It's a small world. You probably don't know me but I've seen you post a bunch around UG.
I'm shredforbread33 (currently banned)

Hey there!

Also, I think I'm passing. The more I looked at the color, the more I was afraid that A I would not be able to live with it, or B it would look fugly in person. Still, thanks for the help all.