ESP E-II Eclipse Tiger Eye Sunburst Review: Redemption
A few months ago I wrote about the Snow White Satin E-II Eclipse. It was beautiful. Almost too perfect. I ended up selling it, not because it wasn’t great, but because I never fully settled into it.
ESP E-II Eclipse Snow White Satin Review
This Tiger Eye Sunburst feels like redemption.
I found a good used deal at $1,850 before tax and decided it was time to jump back in. I did have to buy a case separately, but even with that added cost it felt like the right move. Same platform, different finish, different mindset. This one stuck.
The E-II Eclipse Platform
The ESP E-II Eclipse has become one of the most refined modern single-cut guitars you can buy right now.
For the Tiger Eye Sunburst specifically, the core specs are what you would expect from the current E-II lineup. Some finishes offer different pickup configurations, body thickness options, or top variations, but most share the same foundation: set-thru neck construction, a mahogany body, ebony fretboard, 12 inch radius, extra jumbo stainless steel frets, and Gotoh locking tuners.
Starting in 2024, stainless steel frets come standard across the entire E-II Eclipse line. That is a real upgrade. Stainless frets feel smoother under bends, hold up longer over time, and add to the overall premium feel of the guitar.
These guitars now sit firmly in Gibson Les Paul Standard pricing territory. They are not budget instruments. That said, the build quality absolutely competes at that level. From what I have seen, pricing has remained fairly consistent over the past couple of years.
Fishman Fluence Modern Pickups
This Tiger Eye Sunburst comes loaded with Fishman Fluence Modern pickups.
I am running it in standard tuning and writing 90s and 2000s inspired punk and alt rock with a little modern edge mixed in. My setup is Helix Native through Cubase with my usual amp and pedal settings. The biggest thing for me is that this guitar works with those settings right away. I plug in and it sounds right.
When I owned the Snow White model with EMG 57tw and 66tw pickups, I liked them at first. They were tight and articulate. Over time though, they lost a bit of flavor for me. More importantly, they did not respond to my amp settings the way I wanted, and I found myself tweaking more than I liked just to get back to tones I normally dial in. I do not want to chase my sound every time I switch guitars.
The Fishman Moderns in this one feel more natural with my setup. Tight low end, clear mids, and they stay punchy without getting harsh. They just sit where I want them without fighting my rig.
Feel and Playability
The weight feels right. Not heavy, not feather light. It balances well on a strap.
It fits my hand better than my EC-1000T CTM ever did. The difference isn't huge on paper but you feel it when you play. The craftsmanship is tighter throughout. And the top on this finish is just ridiculous. Every time I open the case I stop and look at it for a second.
The satin neck is worth talking about too. Gibson nitro feels amazing, that broken-in quality is real and I get why players love it. This satin finish is excellent though. Fast, smooth, not sticky. It doesn't feel cheap at all.
Buying Used
I bought this one used so I can't speak to the original factory setup. There are a few small finish imperfections but nothing structural. I have no idea if they came from the factory or the previous owner. The selector switch knob broke not long after I got it but the seller covered the repair and a full setup, so that worked out fine. Overall buying used was a good experience and I'd do it again.
You can usually find decent used deals on these if you're patient. One thing worth knowing though: stainless steel frets became standard across the E-II Eclipse line in 2024. If you're shopping used I'd recommend targeting a 2024 or newer to get that upgrade. The one exception is if there's a finish from an earlier year that you really want and can't find otherwise. In that case it might be worth it depending on how much the frets matter to you, but going in with eyes open is the point.
E-II Eclipse vs LTD EC-1000T CTM
For anyone unfamiliar, LTD is ESP's more affordable line. It spans entry-level all the way up to some upper-tier instruments depending on the series. The EC models are the LTD version of the Eclipse platform, EC standing for Eclipse, which is why the EC-1000 and the E-II share the same general shape and design philosophy.
I've recommended the EC-1000 series a lot and I mean it every time. Great guitars for the money, solid build, and a lot of the same core features as the E-II. You can find a lemon at any price point with any brand but the EC-1000 line is consistently solid.
That said, this E-II replaced my EC-1000T CTM, and since I had already put Fishman Fluence Moderns in the EC-1000T the comparison is pretty direct. Same electronics, different build, and the differences are noticeable.
The fit is the big one for me. The binding on the EC-1000T CTM doesn't feel rounded off to me, and I couldn't find any clear clarification on that when I looked into it. My understanding is that the base EC-1000 series is rounded but I can't say that with certainty. Either way it never felt quite right in my hand and the E-II is noticeably more comfortable to play for longer stretches. It's one of those things that's hard to quantify but you feel it.
Beyond the fit, the craftsmanship on the E-II is just tighter overall. The EC-1000T CTM is a good guitar. This one is better.
Who Is This Guitar For
If you want a professional level guitar that competes with Gibson in quality but feels more modern, and you have the budget, the E-II Eclipse makes a lot of sense.
If budget is a concern the EC-1000 is a real option, not a fallback. You get most of the same core features for a lot less money. There are good used deals out there on both if you're patient.
Final Thoughts
The Snow White Satin showed me how good the E-II platform is. The Tiger Eye Sunburst proved I actually want one in my lineup long term.
It fits my hand better, works with my Helix setup without constant tweaking, and feels like a true step up. Most importantly, it motivates me to play more. At this level, that is what really matters.
Links
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