ESP M-II
Encyclopedia
ESP M-II is a guitar
model offered by ESP
. It belongs to the category of guitars referred to colloquially as "Super Strats," which refers to any guitar (regardless of brand or model) drawing heavily upon the Fender Stratocaster design. Modifications to the original Stratocaster design usually enhance playability. For example, the M-II features a larger lower-body rout to assist with accessing higher frets. The vast majority of "Super Strats" are equipped with Floyd Rose
type locking-vibratos which assist with tuning stability under extreme string-bending.
The ESP M-II is produced in Japan
and is currently available in three configurations; the first two feature screw-on necks:
Not initially available in America for a while, the "M-1" model has only one pickup and a tune-o-matic Gibson style bridge. The only color available Stateside for the M-II is Gloss Black, although in the past and overseas a wider selection is available.
The most famous user of the M-II is probably Metallica
's Kirk Hammett
, who has used an M-II from the 1980s era of Metallica to this day, including his custom KH models. The latter differ from standard M-IIs in that they feature Hammett's signature inlays, art, separate volume controls, a tone control, and a flatter fretboard radius (~12" for the standard and ~16" for the KH-2). His two most well-known guitars are M-IIs, which he has named "the Mummy" and the "Ouija" due to their distinctive graphics. The artwork featured on the "Mummy-II" has been copyrighted.
Other noted users of the ESP M-II are:
Craig Goldy
of Dio
.
Michael Romeo
of Symphony X
.
Timo Tolkki
of Stratovarius
.
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
model offered by ESP
ESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
. It belongs to the category of guitars referred to colloquially as "Super Strats," which refers to any guitar (regardless of brand or model) drawing heavily upon the Fender Stratocaster design. Modifications to the original Stratocaster design usually enhance playability. For example, the M-II features a larger lower-body rout to assist with accessing higher frets. The vast majority of "Super Strats" are equipped with Floyd Rose
Floyd Rose
The Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo, or simply Floyd Rose, is a type of locking vibrato arm for a guitar. The first of its kind, Floyd D. Rose invented the locking vibrato in 1977, and it is now manufactured by a company of the same name...
type locking-vibratos which assist with tuning stability under extreme string-bending.
The ESP M-II is produced in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and is currently available in three configurations; the first two feature screw-on necks:
- A maple fretboard and a Seymour DuncanSeymour DuncanSeymour Duncan is a company that is best known for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. The company was founded in 1976 by guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and his then-wife Cathy Carter Duncan in Goleta, California, USA...
JB in the bridge position and a Seymour Duncan 59 in the neck position.
- A rosewood fretboard and two EMG 81 active pickups.
- A neck-through body neck joint, rosewood fretboard and two EMG 81 active pickups.
Not initially available in America for a while, the "M-1" model has only one pickup and a tune-o-matic Gibson style bridge. The only color available Stateside for the M-II is Gloss Black, although in the past and overseas a wider selection is available.
The most famous user of the M-II is probably Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
's Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett
Kirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stones list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
, who has used an M-II from the 1980s era of Metallica to this day, including his custom KH models. The latter differ from standard M-IIs in that they feature Hammett's signature inlays, art, separate volume controls, a tone control, and a flatter fretboard radius (~12" for the standard and ~16" for the KH-2). His two most well-known guitars are M-IIs, which he has named "the Mummy" and the "Ouija" due to their distinctive graphics. The artwork featured on the "Mummy-II" has been copyrighted.
Other noted users of the ESP M-II are:
Craig Goldy
Craig Goldy
Craig Goldy is an American guitarist, mostly notably of the band Dio.Before Dio, he played in the bands Vengeance, Rough Cutt, and Giuffria. He replaced Jake E. Lee in Rough Cutt and was himself replaced by Amir Derakh in this group. Prior to joining Rough Cutt, he had played in the band Vengeance...
of Dio
Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial...
.
Michael Romeo
Michael Romeo
Since 2005, Romeo has taken advantage of a new custom model, Caparison Dellinger II - Michael Romeo Custom, which he used to record the Symphony X album Paradise Lost...
of Symphony X
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
.
Timo Tolkki
Timo Tolkki
Timo Tapio Tolkki is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. He left Stratovarius in 2008 and formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. To this day, with his tenure extending for more than twenty years, Tolkki was the...
of Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
.