Winter NAMM 2005: ESP Guitars Introduces 14 New Models

Source: ESP Guitars

ESP Guitars introduced 14 new guitar and bass models at the 2005 Winter NAMM Show, according to company president Matt Masciandaro. The new models range from new signature models from top artists to special models commemorating the company's 30th anniversary.

"We're very proud of our new 2005 models," says Masciandaro. "The last few years have seen record growth for ESP, along with our LTD and X-Tone brands. We feel our 2005 line represents our finest, most diverse collection of guitars and basses in ESP's history."

Five new Signature Series models top ESP's new offerings. Truckster is the fifth signature model guitar from Metallica frontman James Hetfield. Available under both the ESP and LTD brands, the Truckster is a high-performance single-cutaway guitar that features a unique aged primer gray finish with custom distress patterns designed by Hetfield. The Axxion (pronounced "Action") is one of two new ESP Signature Series models from Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine. Designed for rock, the Axxion's menacing axe-like shape is accentuated with black hardware on its all-black finish. The Axxion will also be available as both an ESP and LTD model. Mustaine has also lent his name to another new guitar for LTD, the affordable DV-200. Based on the popular DV-8 model introduced last year, the DV-200 offers a similar V body style in a bolt-on maple neck and basswood body design.

ESP's 30th anniversary is being commemorated with four special models, only to be produced during the 2005 calendar year. The EC-2005, F-2005, and Viper-2005 guitars, and B-2005 bass, are all high-end representations of ESP's popular models that feature custom inlays and graphics derived from the company's distinctive conjoined winged serpents 30th anniversary logo.

ESP is also premiering a new addition to their X-Tone Series semi-acoustic guitars. The PA-1 Thinline Acoustic Electric offers a mahogany body with maple top; a 3-piece mahogany neck; a rosewood fingerboard; pearl block inlays; a B-Band Transducer pickup system with active preamp controls; volume, treble & bass controls; chrome hardware; Grover tuners; a rosewood acoustic bridge; and triple layer creme binding on the body, neck and headstock.

Four more new LTD models are being premiered at NAMM. The AX Series has been expanded with three new guitars: the AX-400, AX-250 and AX-50. While each model offers the highly stylized AX body shape, the AX-400 and AX-250 also include a tribal fingerboard inlay pattern. The AX-400 also features a set-through neck construction and EMG 81 pickups. Finally, the Viper-407 takes the company's hugely-popular double-cutaway model and makes it available in a 7-string version. The mahogany-bodied guitar offers an Earvana compensated nut as standard equipment, as well as white binding on the black satin neck and headstock.

The James Hetfield Signature Model "Truckster"

James Hetfield, one of the founding members of rock icons Metallica, has created his fifth signature guitar model. The Truckster is a new ESP Signature Series guitar that is precisely based on Hetfield's personal custom ESP.

"The Truckster offers every minute detail of James' ESP, down to the 'aging' of the finish, " says Matt Masciandaro, ESP president. "We've done custom guitars for Metallica for over 15 years, and Metallica's guitars have been some of our most popular signature models. We're proud to offer the high level of quality James demanded for a guitar with his name attached."

ESP's Truckster is a single-cutaway, solid body electric featuring a distinctive aged gray primer finish over its mahogany body and neck. The unique finish wear is precisely duplicated to match James Hetfield's personal instrument. The Truckster offers a set-neck construction, a 24.75" scale, and a rosewood fingerboard that features flag inlays with "ESP" at the 12th fret, and a unique cast aluminum raised logo tops each headstock.

The Truckster puts an EMG-81 pickup in the bridge and an EMG-60 at the neck. These are controlled via two volume controls and one tone control, as well as a 3-way toggle (another 3-way toggle in the upper position is inactive, but ESP included it for perfect authenticity with Hetfield's actual instrument).

The guitar's distinctive finish is complemented by satin chrome hardware, including its Sperzel locking tuners, and TonePros locking bridge w/stop tailpiece. White binding on the Truckster's body, neck and headstock and 22 extra-jumbo frets completes the detailed signature model.

The Truckster will be available under both the ESP and LTD brands.

The Dave Mustaine AXXION Signature Model

ESP Guitars has debuted the Axxion, a new Signature Series guitar from Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine. The Axxion (pronounced "Action") represents an entirely new custom-designed body style built to Mustaine's specification. It's the guitarist's second ESP signature model, joining the DV8 introduced last year.

"Working with Dave on his signature models has been terrific," says Matt Masciandaro, ESP president. "He has very exacting standards, and is focused on the details that make a guitar both incredibly playable and full of attitude. The double-X in the name 'Axxion' is commemorative of Megadeth's 20 years, and we're proud to help create the guitar that celebrates two decades of great metal."

Designed for serious rockers, the Axxion's menacing axe-like shape is accentuated with black hardware on its all-black finish. It features a neck-thru-body construction with a 25.5" scale. Tremendous tone is generated through its mahogany body and 3-piece mahogany neck. The Axxion's ebony fingerboard is decorated with custom "XX" inlays. It offers Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz pickups at the neck and bridge, controlled via 2 volume and 1 tone control with 3-way toggle. Hardware on the Axxion includes Sperzel locking tuners, Dunlop flushmount straplocks, and a TonePros locking bridge.

The Axxion will also be available as a slightly more affordable model under the LTD brand, with the primary difference being the implementation of a rosewood fingerboard (instead of ebony on the ESP model).