What skill level is this guitar designed for?

The E-II Viper is built for advanced and professional players. The thin U-neck contour and 24 extra-jumbo frets support fast position shifts and aggressive bending techniques, while the set-thru construction and high-end hardware reward disciplined technique and extended playing sessions.

What genres and playing styles is it best suited for?

This guitar excels in metal, hard rock, progressive, and djent styles. The tight articulation, crushing saturation, and thick midrange punch from the mahogany body and EMG active pickups are optimized for high-gain tones and modern lead work. It is not ideal for jazz, folk, or country playing.

Can I get clean tones from the EMG pickups, or is it only for high-gain?

The EMG 66TW and 57TW pickups deliver versatile clean voices with articulate response, and independent push-pull coil-split controls on both volume and tone switches let you switch instantly between humbucker and single-coil tones. This makes the Viper capable of both crushing saturation and refined clean textures.

What's included with the guitar?

The E-II Viper includes Gotoh locking tuners, a Gotoh TOM bridge and tailpiece, a 42mm bone nut, and ESP strap locks. The guitar ships in black finish with black hardware.

How does the set-thru construction affect playability and tone?

Set-thru construction anchors the mahogany neck through the body, enhancing sustain and enabling easier access to all 24 frets in the upper register. This design, combined with the 305mm radius ebony fingerboard, supports extended lead passages and aggressive bending without compromising comfort during long sessions.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. On this item that is roughly $168 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.

ESP E-II Viper Black Electric Guitar

The ESP E-II Viper sits in the hand with purpose—the thin U neck contour and asymmetrical double-cut design deliver fast access across all 24 extra-jumbo frets without sacrificing comfort during extended sessions. Built in Japan to professional standards, this guitar combines the thick, resonant character of mahogany with modern electronics and high-end hardware that demands to be played hard.

Playability & Construction

Set-thru construction anchors the mahogany neck through the body for enhanced sustain and fret access. The ebony fingerboard with 305mm radius pairs with 24 extra-jumbo frets to support aggressive bends and modern lead techniques, while a bone nut and Gotoh locking tuners ensure tuning stability night after night.

Tone & Electronics

The EMG 66TW neck and EMG 57TW bridge pickups deliver tight articulation in clean voices and crushing saturation under high gain—and independent push-pull coil-split controls on both volume and tone switches allow instant transitions between humbucker and single-coil tones. A Gotoh TOM bridge with tailpiece anchors the mahogany body's natural midrange punch with precision sustain.

Key Features

Set-thru construction for enhanced sustain and upper-fret access
Mahogany body and mahogany neck with thick, resonant tone
Thin U neck contour for fast, comfortable playability
Ebony fingerboard with 305mm radius and 24 extra-jumbo frets
42mm bone nut for articulate response and tuning stability
EMG 66TW (neck) and EMG 57TW (bridge) active pickups with independent push-pull coil-split controls
Gotoh TOM bridge and tailpiece for tuning accuracy and sustain
Gotoh locking tuners and ESP strap locks
Active electronics with volume, tone, and toggle switch layout
Black hardware and black finish for aggressive aesthetic
24.75" scale length
Includes ESP Viper guitar form-fit case and Elixir Nanoweb Light strings (.010–.046)
Made in Japan

The E-II Viper is built for players and collectors who refuse compromise—a professional-grade instrument that merges classic ESP attitude with modern tonal flexibility, stage-ready reliability, and the sustain and precision demanded by working musicians.

Condition	New
Dexterity	Right handed
Country of Manufacture	Japan

Body Style	Double Cutaway
Scale Length	24.75" Scale
Frets	24 Frets
Fretboard	Ebony
Neck Wood	Mahogany
Pickups	Active HH
Bridge	Fixed
Strings	6
Orientation	Right handed
Model Year	2024
Made In	Japan

Sound & Tone