Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,063
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$400
$1001+
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High-end
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Description
Step back into the 80s with the ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT Electric Guitar - Rainbow Crackle. This guitar is a faithful recreation of ESP's 1987 catalog – a time when the brand really began to take the world's stage. Unlike the current Eclipse models, the '87 Eclipse draws its inspiration from the original TE archtop shape, giving it a distinctive and retro aesthetic.
The Eclipse '87 NT isn't just about looks, though. Featuring neck-thru-body construction, it couples a robust mahogany body with a three-piece maple neck for superior resonance and sustain. Armed with a set of Seymour Duncan '59 (neck) and JB (bridge) pickups, the Eclipse '87 NT delivers warm, smooth, and harmonically rich tones. Additionally, a push-pull control lets you split these pickups, opening up a wider range of tonal possibilities. Lastly, a TonePros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece ensure stable tuning and enhanced sustain.
With the ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT Electric Guitar, you get a blend of vintage aesthetics, modern playability, and timeless tone.
Key Features:
- Inspired by the original ESP Eclipse from the 1987 catalog
- Features the eye-catching Rainbow Crackle finish
- Neck-thru-body construction pairs a mahogany body with a three-piece maple neck
- Equipped with Seymour Duncan '59 (neck) and JB (bridge) pickups
- Comes with a push-pull control for coil-splitting
- Fitted with a TonePros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece for added tuning stability and sustain
Product specs
| Brand | ESP LTD |
| Model | Eclipse '87 NT |
| Finish | Pearl White, Rainbow Crackle, Turquoise |
| Year | 2020 - 2025 |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | T-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Black, Green, White |
| Finish Features | Matching Headstock |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Ebony |
| Neck Construction | Neck-Through |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 24 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
FAQs
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What kind of pickups are used in the ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT Electric Guitar?
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The ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT features a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, providing powerful and versatile tones suitable for a range of music styles, especially rock and metal.
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Is the ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT suitable for metal music?
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Yes, the ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT's mahogany body and humbucker pickups deliver a robust sound with plenty of sustain and aggression, making it ideal for metal and hard rock genres.
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What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT Electric Guitar?
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The ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT features a neck-through construction with a maple neck, offering excellent sustain and a smooth, fast-playing surface that is comfortable for both rhythm and lead playing.
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How many frets does the ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT have?
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The ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT is equipped with 24 frets, allowing for a wide range of notes and extended soloing capabilities.
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What is the scale length of the ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT Electric Guitar?
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The ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT has a scale length of 24.75 inches, which contributes to its warm tone and comfortable playability, especially for players used to shorter scale lengths.
Videos
Haggerty's MusicWorks
ESP LTD Eclipse Non-Trem '87 in Rainbow Crackle - Demo
ESP LTD Eclipse Non-Trem '87 in Rainbow Crackle - Demo
Haggerty's MusicWorks
Reviews
PROS
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Neck-through design offers incredible sustain and comfort
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Versatile sound with Seymour Duncan JB/'59 pickups and coil tap feature
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Beautiful and unique finishes, including retro 80s paint jobs
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Rock-solid construction and setup, ready to play out of the box
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Thin, comfortable neck for fast playing
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Excellent fretwork with no sharp ends
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High-quality locking tuners included
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Exceptional value for the price point
CONS
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Some units may have quality control issues, such as blemishes and scratches
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Stock tremolo may require adjustments to maintain tuning stability
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The guitar can be slightly neck heavy, leading to neck dive issues
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD Eclipse '87 NT Electric Guitar.
Features and functionality
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The LTD Eclipse '87 NT features a comfortable arch top with contouring for a good belly cut, enhancing playing comfort.
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This model uses a 24.75” scale length, differing from the 25.5” scale common in T-style guitars, affecting playability and tone.
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The guitar comes equipped with Seymour Duncan JB/'59 pickups and a push/pull tone control, offering versatility from cleans to thrash metal.
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The LTD Eclipse '87 NT is praised for its metallic flake finish, which is more pronounced under hard lighting.
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User experience
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Some owners note the guitar's substantial weight, describing it as dense yet balanced, potentially affecting comfort during extended playing.
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The glossy neck finish, while not favored by all, is noted for not becoming sticky with sweat, unlike other glossy finishes.
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Owners who typically don't favor Teles found the carved body reminiscent of a Les Paul, offering a feel that combines both guitar styles.
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Comparisons
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Compared to modern Eclipses, this model feels heavier and has a deeper body arch, contributing to a blend of modern and vintage vibes.
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Playability and feel are often compared to PRS guitars, with some preferring the less rolled fingerboard edges on the LTD Eclipse '87 NT.
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The LTD Eclipse '87 NT features a 6-in-line classic headstock and neck-through construction, unlike the EC-1000's set-through neck, reminiscent of ESP's original 1987 production line.
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The LTD Eclipse '87 NT pays tribute to the original arch top Tele-shaped Eclipse Custom from the late 80s, differing from the current LP shape Eclipses.
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Build quality
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Owners note that the guitar's finish can develop a subtle sparkle and yellowing over time, creating a unique "sparkly Olympic white" appearance.
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The '87 Eclipse is notably heavy, with one owner mentioning it weighs around 9.8 lbs, making it the heaviest guitar they own, yet balanced despite its substantial weight.
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Setup and maintenance
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Some owners use hair ties between the bridge and tailpiece to minimize string ringing during recording.
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Mods and upgrades
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Suggested pickup modification includes swapping out the bridge pickup for a Bare Knuckle Ragnarok for enhanced tone.
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Critic Reviews
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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