ESP 40th Anniversary NAMM Exhibition Limited EXL Horizon NT 8-String Electric Guitar with Hardshell Case - Scab Red

A rare NAMM Exhibition Limited Edition guitar, this ESP 40th Anniversary NAMM Exhibition Limited Horizon 8 is a tone monster and with some thoroughly unique aesthetic features to it. How can a guitar with such a straightforward design be so completely original? This ESP Horizon features perhaps the most popular electric guitar design - solidbody, fast feel, two hot humbuckers - but somehow it doesn't remind me of any other instrument. Obviously the visual aspect of this one is super unique and the textured finish looks awesome under stage lighting, or really under any lighting at all. But once you can get the guitar in your hands you'll notice the expert craftsmanship in the neck and string feel before anything else. The fretwork has this perfectly balanced, consistent feel that makes every register ring out clearly and musically. The neck contour is very kind on your playing hand, even if you're just getting into extended range guitars. If you spend a lot of time high up on the neck, you'll love the way this upper register feels. Every note has something to say, all the way up to the 24th fret, where you can get away with a full step bend without a problem. Tonally, this axe is all about getting huge tone without sacrificing musicality. Drench the signal with distortion, and the sound retains all that beautiful harmonic content and expressive subtlety with massive, punchy bottom-end. Back off on the gain, and you've got a great blues machine. With a clean signal, the sound is warm and dynamic. Hit some nice bends in the middle of the neck for a throaty, creamy sound reminiscent of vintage designs. But let's not kid ourselves, this guitar wants to be played dirty... And in the dirtiest of ways! ;-)

The build quality of this axe is totally unmatched. When you pick it up, it just feels like something that's still going to be getting the job done twenty years down the line. Abuse it all you want, and it'll stay play and sound just fine. This one is a lifer.