HELP!! - Is this ESP Custom Legit?

[Stooge1996]

Really need some help sorting out whether or not this ESP custom is real. The shop won't let me take the neck off to see if there is any serial in the neck pocket. They are under the impression it's an 89 model. There is no serial on the neck and there's no branding stamp on the tuners and bridge. On the fence about getting it but if it's real i think i'd buy it.

 

[couchguitarplayer]

It looks weird to me. The headstock shape seems a bit off for their ''Snapper'' headstock and I also never seen this kind of string tree on an ESP.

 

[mmr007]

Why would you have string trees on a kahler style locking nut? It makes sense on a floyd but that locking clamp is the same height as the trees

 

[Stooge1996]

Why would you have string trees on a kahler style locking nut? It makes sense on a floyd but that locking clamp is the same height as the trees

no clue? Not my guitar

 

[Stooge1996]

It looks weird to me. The headstock shape seems a bit off for their ''Snapper'' headstock and I also never seen this kind of string tree on an ESP.

Yeah I’m leaning towards it being a fake

 

[mmr007]

no clue? Not my guitar

sorry I meant "you" as in general...not you specifically... Should have worded it "why would one have....."

 

[SpaceDock]

I think this is real, 80s customs by ESP were not especially expensive or elite like they are now. I do think that the bridge and locking nut are modified from the original guitar. Hopefully someone with more experience can post.

 

[Stooge1996]

I think this is real, 80s customs by ESP were not especially expensive or elite like they are now. I do think that the bridge and locking nut are modified from the original guitar. Hopefully someone with more experience can post.

fingers crossed someone knowledgeable can chime in

 

[efiltsohg]

The shop won't let me take the neck off to see if there is any serial in the neck pocket.

would be a deal breaker to me - sounds like they know what you would (or wouldn't) find

 

[Yul Brynner]

I think this is real, 80s customs by ESP were not especially expensive or elite like they are now. I do think that the bridge and locking nut are modified from the original guitar. Hopefully someone with more experience can post.

Nope. That's fake af. Some harley benton or other no name cheap shit with a home made paint job and an esp decal. Stay away.

 

[Yul Brynner]

Really need some help sorting out whether or not this ESP custom is real. The shop won't let me take the neck off to see if there is any serial in the neck pocket. They are under the impression it's an 89 model. There is no serial on the neck and there's no branding stamp on the tuners and bridge. On the fence about getting it but if it's real i think i'd buy it.

That shop is lying to you. Maybe it's an 89 but I doubt it. Either way it's definitely not an esp.

 

[Viginez]

looks fake, like sprayed over, esp logo missing the ® symbol, weird bridge
why would you buy this? it's that cheap?

 

[manu80]

looks like the paint had a reaction with the clearcoat...weird for an ESP...wouldn't take it
strange the shop doesn't want you to check if they're sure it's legit....

 

[angl2k]

Looks fake to me, especially the Custom text on the headstock and the fact that they won't let you pop off that neck. Just too many red flags.

 

[JimF]

Paint on the headstock looks like the finish I got one time using rattle cans and not enough prep work. Hard pass for me, doesn't seem legit.

 

[olejason]

Even if it was legit it still looks terrible. It isn't hard to find older ESP, Jackson, etc. that are absolutely beat to shit and people still try to get a mint for them.

 

[SpaceDock]

The worst thing about this IMO is the aftermarket locking nut is blocking the truss rod hole.

 

[Demiurge]

If it's a genuine ESP, it's a guitar in rough-ass condition with a strange proprietary trem that might be difficult to service/replace cheaply. The paintjob looks like amateur work or a factory finish left in very poor environmental conditions that may have caused other issues.

If it's not a genuine ESP, it's a guitar in rough-ass condition with a strange proprietary trem that might be difficult to service/replace cheaply. The paintjob looks like amateur work or a factory finish left in very poor environmental conditions that may have caused other issues.

Is the brand name stenciled on the headstock more important than everything else you see?

 

[mastapimp]

There's so many red flags here....

• Shitty finish and aging. Shouldn't be that bad if it came from a factory/custom shop
• The ESP logo isn't right...the speaker in the "E" isn't centered, there's no registration mark.
• It's clearly a pawn shop guitar, so take whatever they tell you they think it is with a huge grain of salt.

 

[mikernaut]

yeah, no way that is a real ESP. run away!