ESP LTD JM-II Josh Middleton Guitar in Black Shadow Burst
Description
ESP LTD JM-II Josh Middleton Guitar in Black Shadow Burst
The ESP LTD JM-II sits in the hands like it was built for exactly what you're about to play. The contoured body cuts through fatigue on long sets, and the fast neck moves beneath your fingers with zero friction. Built to Josh Middleton's signature specs, this guitar delivers pristine clarity when you need articulate note definition and punchy attack when you're digging in for heavy riffs. The Black Shadow Burst finish catches light on stage, and the balanced weight means you can lock into your playing rather than fighting the instrument.
Playability & Construction
The three-piece roasted maple neck features an extra-thin u-shaped profile paired with a Macassar ebony fingerboard and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets—fast runs and precision bends feel effortless, and the frets stay true through years of gigging. A bolt-on alder body with quilted maple top and 25.5" scale length provide the rock-solid foundation and sustain that stands up under live conditions, while the 50mm fingerboard radius and 42mm nut width work equally well for intricate technical passages and aggressive power playing.
Tone & Electronics
Dual Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker pickups—alnico in the neck and ceramic in the bridge—cut through a mix with thick, articulate response and push-pull controls that let you voice the guitar on the fly. Whether you're tracking warm lead passages or unleashing aggressive djent and metal tones, the active electronics with volume, tone (push/pull), and toggle switch layout give you responsive control and clarity across all frequency ranges, keeping your tone locked in from rehearsal through the last song of the night.
Key Features
- Three-piece roasted maple neck with extra-thin u-shaped profile
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets
- Bolt-on alder body with quilted maple top
- 25.5" scale length
- 50mm fingerboard radius with 42mm molded nut width
- Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers (alnico neck / ceramic bridge) with push-pull voicing control
- Active electronics with volume, tone, and toggle switch configuration
- LTD locking tuners
- Recessed Gotoh TOM bridge with string-thru-body design
- Black hardware
- Black Shadow Burst finish
- Includes ESP hard case
Built for the stage and the practice room alike, this workhorse rewards both technical fingerwork and raw power, delivering the versatility and tonal range that professionals demand from a signature instrument.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Country of Manufacture | South Korea |
Reviews
At a Glance
The ESP LTD JM-II is a high-end signature model built for intermediate to professional players tackling metal, djent, and progressive styles. The extra-thin u-shaped neck with Macassar ebony fretboard and 24 jumbo stainless frets feels fast and responsive under your fingers, while dual Fishman Fluence pickups with push-pull voicing controls deliver thick, articulate tones that handle everything from precision lead work to aggressive rhythms without losing clarity. The lightweight contoured body and balanced 25.5" scale make long gigs comfortable, and the recessed Gotoh bridge with string-thru design ensures rock-solid tuning stability on demanding material.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Djent
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Hard Rock
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
- – Country
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level do I need to play the JM-II comfortably?
The JM-II is designed for intermediate to advanced and professional players. The extra-thin u-shaped neck and fast action reward technical fingerwork, while the fret count and scale length suit players comfortable with speed-oriented styles and complex voicings.
Can the Fishman pickups handle different styles, or is this purely a metal guitar?
The dual Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers feature push-pull voicing controls that switch between alnico (neck) and ceramic (bridge) voices, covering warm lead work, aggressive djent, and metal applications within the same instrument. The active electronics also provide responsive tone shaping across all frequency ranges.
What's included with the guitar?
The ESP LTD JM-II comes with an ESP hard case for protection and transport.
How does the JM-II compare to other signature and high-end metal guitars?
The JM-II shares the aggressive voicing and professional build quality of models like the Ibanez RG421PB and Jackson Dinky, but the Fishman Fluence pickups with dual-voice control and the lightweight contoured body offer distinct tonal range and comfort for extended playing sessions that suit both studio and live contexts.
Is this guitar suitable for jazz or acoustic-style playing?
No—the JM-II is optimized for metal, djent, progressive, and hard rock styles with its thick, articulate tone and high-output pickups. Jazz, folk, and country players would find its voicing and construction philosophy better suited to other designs.
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