ESP E-II HORIZON-III FR

$2,499.00

5.0 (1)

$1,616.57 1 available Used

$2,499.00

5.0 (3)

$2,899.00

Average Price: $2,403

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, ESP E-II HORIZON-III FR is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "ESP E-II HORIZON-III FR". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

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Designed for the modern rocker, the ESP E-II Horizon-III FR is a sleek powerhouse of an electric guitar. Combining striking aesthetics with superior playability, this guitar is crafted with a solid mahogany body topped by a stunning flame maple veneer. This pairing delivers a warm, resonant tone with enough brightness to cut through any mix. The Thin "U" neck profile, fashioned from a continuous 3-piece maple neck and topped with an ebony fingerboard, offers a silky-smooth playing experience perfect for swift solos and intricate fingerwork.

Under the hood, you'll find the versatile Seymour Duncan Custom 5 and Jazz humbuckers. These pickups provide a wide tonal palette from aggressive high-gain sounds to clean, articulate tones. The push/pull function on the tone control further expands your sonic possibilities. With a Floyd Rose original tremolo, you can add expressive whammy effects while keeping your tuning rock-solid, thanks to its double-locking system.

Whether you're performing intricate metal riffs or exploring different genres, the ESP E-II Horizon-III FR is built to deliver top-notch performance. Precision-crafted by ESP luthiers in Japan, this guitar not only looks incredible but also provides the reliability and playability demanded by today's musicians.

Key Features:

Mahogany body with flame maple top
3-piece maple neck with Thin "U" profile
Ebony fingerboard with 24 XJ frets
Seymour Duncan Custom 5 (bridge) and Jazz (neck) humbuckers
Volume and tone control with push/pull function
Original Floyd Rose locking tremolo
Gotoh machine heads
Made in Japan
Includes case

Product specs

Number of Strings	6
Left-/Right-handed	Right-handed
Body Type	Solidbody
Body Shape	E-II Horizon-III
Body Material	Mahogany
Top Material	Flamed Maple
Body Finish	Gloss
Neck Material	3-Piece Maple
Neck Shape	Thin U
Neck Joint	Neck-through
Radius	12"
Fingerboard Inlay	Offset Small Blocks
Number of Frets	24, Extra Jumbo
Scale Length	25.5"
Nut Width	1.653"
Nut Material	Locking
Bridge/Tailpiece	Floyd Rose Original Locking Tremolo
Tuners	Gotoh Locking
Neck Pickup	Seymour Duncan Jazz Humbucker
Bridge Pickup	Seymour Duncan Custom 5 Humbucker
Controls	1 x master volume, 1 x master tone (push/pull coil-split)
Switching	3-way toggle pickup switch
Strings	Elixir, .009-.042
Case/Gig Bag	Hardshell Case

FAQs

What kind of music is the ESP E-II Horizon-III FR best suited for?: The ESP E-II Horizon-III FR, with its Seymour Duncan humbuckers and Floyd Rose tremolo, is ideal for rock, metal, and other genres requiring powerful tones and expressive playing techniques.
How does the neck profile of the ESP E-II Horizon-III FR affect playability?: The Thin U neck profile provides a comfortable and fast playing experience, making it suitable for intricate solos and fast-paced riffs.
Does the ESP E-II Horizon-III FR support alternate tunings well?: Yes, the Floyd Rose Original Locking Tremolo system maintains tuning stability, making it suitable for alternate tunings and aggressive playing styles.
What is the tonal characteristic of the Seymour Duncan pickups in the ESP E-II Horizon-III FR?: The Seymour Duncan Jazz neck pickup offers warm, clear tones, while the Custom 5 bridge pickup delivers powerful, articulate sounds, making it versatile for various music styles.
Is the ESP E-II Horizon-III FR suitable for live performances?: Yes, its solid construction, high-quality components, and locking tuners ensure reliability and excellent performance in live settings.

Videos

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The Guitar Pit

ESP E-II Horizon III Guitar Review - Top Quality from Japan

The Guitar Pit

ESP E-II Horizon III

nelsonmann

ESP E-II Horizon III

Music Games Randomness

ESP E-II Horizon III | Review

Bax Music UK

Testing the beast - ESP EII Horizon III

Jimbow's

ESP E II Horizon III Floyd Rose Black Cherry Fade

The Peach Boutique

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional build quality with flawless craftsmanship
Smooth, polished frets for effortless playability
Solid ebony fretboard without lighter streaks
Impressive sustain due to neck-through construction
Lightweight design at 3.6 kg for comfortable handling
Locking tuners for quick and easy string changes
Striking design with a 'book-matched' maple top
Powerful tone ideal for heavy music genres
Versatile neck suitable for various music styles
High performance and responsive playability

CONS

Limited availability can lead to quick sellouts

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP E-II HORIZON-III FR.

Build quality

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The E-II Horizon-III FR features a "Thin U" neck profile, thicker than the LTD's, with a straight 12” radius, impacting playability preferences.
Source
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The Reindeer Blue finish is noted for its striking appearance, enhancing the guitar's visual appeal.
Source

User experience

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Owners have reported that the gloss finish on the E-II's neck can feel sticky, though later models transitioned to a satin finish for smoother playability.
Source
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Owners recommend trying both body shapes in-store to determine comfort, especially if transitioning from an RG model.
Source
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The guitar's setup is often praised, with little to no adjustments needed for optimal playability immediately after purchase.
Source

Features and functionality

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The E-II originally came with non-stainless frets, but post-2023 models include stainless frets; used models may vary, affecting durability and maintenance.
Source
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The LTD H3-1000FR offers a compound fingerboard radius, which some players find contributes to a more comfortable playing experience, similar to the Wolfgang Special's feel.
Source
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The Horizon III's body shape is distinct, offering a more offset design, which can affect comfort and player preference.
Source
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The bridge pickup excels in producing heavy Metallica/Testament tones and can also yield smooth, dirty blues sounds.
Source

Use cases and applications

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The E-II is preferred for Van Halen and Scorpions music due to its aesthetic and tonal qualities, enhanced by its EMG vs. Duncan pickup options.
Source

Comparisons

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The Horizon III's longer horn is perceived as flashy compared to the NT-II, which some find more traditional.
Source
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The RG 652 is noted for its aesthetics and build, with a fixed bridge and maple fretboard, providing a different feel compared to the Horizon models.
Source
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Japanese craftsmanship of the ESP E-II is often compared favorably to American-made guitars, highlighting its superior build quality.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Owners report that the action is typically perfect out of the box, requiring only minor tuning adjustments before playing.
Source

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

skylinerr

5339

over 7 years ago

Goodbye Explorer

As I have decided to retire the "84 explorer a friend of mine offered this to me for £500 (a fair bit of scratches) because it was a gigging guitar but its great its black with origonal floyd rose EMG 81 brifge and 60 neck (I added) and plays great sounds great is great

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

Artist usage

Add artist

Jevo Jevardo

Singer, Guitarist

Verified via Zona-Zero.net

Una de sus guitarras principales

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Metal

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