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Description

The Esp Horizon stands as a testament to precision craftsmanship and versatile performance, designed for both the seasoned stage performer and the passionate home player. This solid body electric guitar merges sleek design with powerful functionality, offering a seamless blend of playability and tone. Its double-cutaway body provides easy access to the higher frets, making it perfect for intricate solos and expansive chord voicings.

Built with a mahogany body and a maple top, the Esp Horizon ensures a rich, resonant sound that can cut through any mix. The guitar is equipped with a set of high-output pickups, delivering a wide tonal range from crisp cleans to aggressive overdrives. The thin U-shaped neck profile promotes effortless playability, while the ebony fretboard feels smooth under the fingers, offering both comfort and speed.

Additionally, the Esp Horizon features locking tuners for enhanced tuning stability and quick string changes. Its bridge system ensures accurate intonation and enables expressive performance techniques. Whether you're diving into heavy riffs or soaring leads, this guitar delivers a reliable and dynamic playing experience.

Key Features:

  • Solid body electric guitar with a double-cutaway design
  • Mahogany body with a maple top for rich, resonant sound
  • High-output pickups for a versatile tonal range
  • Thin U-shaped neck profile for comfortable playability
  • Ebony fretboard for smooth and fast playing
  • Locking tuners for improved tuning stability
  • Reliable bridge system for accurate intonation

Product specs

Brand ESP
Model USA Horizon
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the ESP Horizon?

The ESP Horizon features a thin U-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable grip for fast playing and easy access to all 24 frets.

What kind of pickups does the ESP Horizon use?

The ESP Horizon is equipped with high-output Seymour Duncan pickups, ideal for delivering powerful tones suitable for rock and metal genres.

Is the ESP Horizon suitable for advanced players?

Yes, the ESP Horizon is designed for advanced players, offering professional-grade features such as a set-thru neck and premium tonewoods for enhanced playability and sound.

What is the body material of the ESP Horizon?

The ESP Horizon is crafted with a solid body made from high-quality tonewoods, including Honduras mahogany and a burled maple top, contributing to its rich and resonant sound.

Does the ESP Horizon come with a case?

Yes, the ESP Horizon typically comes with a hardshell case, providing protection and easy transport for the instrument.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP Horizon.

Features and functionality

  • E-II models feature stainless steel frets and satin necks, enhancing smooth playability.

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  • Korean-made 1000 series Horizons boast precise construction with stainless steel frets and high-quality electronics.

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  • As of January 2024, new E-II models will include stainless steel frets, while the LTD '87 series will continue using nickel frets.

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  • The LTD Horizon '87 model uses an FR 1000 series tremolo, which is similar in specs to the German-made Floyd Rose but is produced in South Korea.

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Build quality

  • ESP Original Series offers flawless craftsmanship but includes nickel frets that require frequent polishing.

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  • It's noted that the fit and finish of custom ordered Horizons are superior, with no jagged routed pickup cavities compared to some E-II models.

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  • The E-II Horizon features a thicker U-shaped neck compared to the LTD's Extra Thin U contour, which leans more towards a C shape.

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Comparisons

  • ESP USA models, though not custom shop, are comparable in quality to custom shop guitars, with a flatter neck profile.

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  • The ESP USA Horizon is often compared to its Japanese counterparts, offering similar quality and playability but at a significantly higher price due to branding.

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  • The E-II Horizon has a 12” radius neck, whereas the LTD has a slightly flatter ~14” radius, affecting playability.

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  • Owners note that the FR 1000 has marginal differences from the German Floyd, such as bent plates and slightly less smooth fine tuners, which can be improved with lubrication.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Users prefer EMG pickups over Bare Knuckle Ragnarok for a distinct, favored tone.

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Value and pricing

  • E-II models have seen significant price hikes since 2019, with some users opting for custom shops due to cost.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Two-step finish repairers are recommended for maintaining appearance, emphasizing worry more about serious wooden dents.

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User experience

  • Some prefer buying new Horizons due to personal preference against used guitars, despite the potential cost savings.

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Critic Reviews

ESP Horizon NT II Review - The Ultimate Heavy Superstrat - Guitar Space

guitarspace.org

The ESP Horizon NT II is a metal guitarist's dream, offering impeccable tuning stability and a neck designed for effortless shredding. Perfect for studio and stage, it's praised for its reliability and quality craftsmanship. However, its premium price is a significant investment, and the EMG pickups can sound a bit boomy, with the split coil option not living up to the dynamic range of a Strat. For those committed to their craft, the guitar’s solid construction and versatile tone make it worth the expense, though it may not suit all subgenres of metal.

positive

ESP Horizon NT II

guitarinteractivemagazine.com

The ESP Horizon NTII is a metalhead’s dream guitar, boasting stunning visual aesthetics with its flame maple top and Reindeer Blue finish. Its versatile sound is underscored by a thru-neck design that enhances sustain and playability. Equipped with Seymour Duncan pickups, it delivers rich, resonant tones both unplugged and amplified, excelling in clean and distorted settings. The guitar's craftsmanship is impeccable, evident in its ebony fretboard and Gotoh Magnum locking tuners. While primarily geared towards metal enthusiasts, its coil-split functionality adds tonal diversity. Player comfort and tone versatility make the Horizon NTII a standout for serious guitarists, though its niche appeal may limit its allure beyond genre enthusiasts.

positive

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Artist usage

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See how Alan Ashby uses ESP Horizon

Alan Ashby

Guitarist

Of Mice & Men

...
Verified via YouTube

This is the ESP Horizon guitar alan takes out at the 0:30 mark in the video and talks about it. He uses the guitar for songs in Drop A

Genre Usage

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

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