NGD: ESP UT-7SL, my first real ESP :-D

[UV7BK4LIFE]

I saw a nice pre-loved baritone ESP, after exchanging some emails and money, it arrived today, from Japam all the way to the Metherlands (any one knows that band Botch?)

Well packed in lots of bubble wrap and a gigbag:

The headstock: Yes, it's one of those hideous Ultratones!

I won't show you the whole guitar yet, for those who don't know what it is. Because that may be very shocking to some. The finish is "Black Gold". Very nice. I prefer to call it "Fresh tarmac road on a sunny morning in autumn". Here's a pic that hopefully shows what I mean:

Depending on the viewing angle and lighting, the finish seems black, anthracite metallic, brown-ish, or gold.

I won't keep you waiting any longer, here it is:

When I saw it, I was instantly in love. It is a barebones rock 'n roll machine that begs to be played. The action is insane low. I strung it with 74/60/46-012 (D'Addario Light top heavy bottom with two additional strings, then threw away the 009). It is now tuned EAEADGB. I will buy an 0.080 for the low E later.

On the pictures the pickguard looks a bit dull, I found out later that the protective foil was still on it, after ten years of use. So I took that off, finally. Major improvement

In comparison with my RGA8, both have 27" scale and the same strings, this ESP plays like butter. Even better than my Ibanez Universe. Whenever I need a baritone, this will be my #1. Definately a keeper in my freakhouse of oddball 7's I did not understand what all the hype was about with ESP's costing that much more compared to the LTD's, which are already awesome guitars, but now I understand. If you pick up an ESP, you instantly feel it is one of those guitars that can be your #1 for 20 years without ever needing a big overhaul. The same feel I get from my Ibanez Universe. This guitar was gigged with weekly and played daily and it feels like new after ten years. It only looks used because that's what it is, but everything feels rock solid and works great.

The tones, the tones! I would prefer an EMG 81-7, but the 707 in the bridge holds pretty well. It sustains for days and it sounds awesome!

 

[Mprinsje]

wow HNGD!

how did you import this to the netherlands? any import taxes and stuff?

 

[Nile]

Dude I'd rock that shit hard.

But the truss rod cover, make that pearl too. And less obvious, it draws alot of attention.

Nonetheless! Rock that shit.

 

[Dawn of the Shred]

Congrats and hngd

 

[pom]

It's a Original Serie ESP. It's made in one of their custom shops for the japanese domestic market, like all ESP there (the reason why we have E-II for overseas ESP now). It's handmade with superior materials.

I have one too (a viper). A damn good guitar i bought cheap for what it is. It's always a bargain to get those old models.
Have fun.

 

[mcd]

sweet HNGD

 

[AkiraSpectrum]

Wow, very unique shape! Looks great for a used guitar. Congrats!

It's interesting that with the particular body shape it doesn't look like a 27" scale, it looks maybe 25.5" at the most. It's very interesting to me because I have a viper baritone 300 (6 string) and you can tell easily that it's a 27" scale but your guitar with its modified viper shape doesn't look baritone from your pics (maybe its just the angle?).

 

[bhakan]

Congrats, that's an awesome guitar! ESP's are amazing!

I did not understand what all the hype was about with ESP's costing that much more compared to the LTD's, which are already awesome guitars, but now I understand. If you pick up an ESP, you instantly feel it is one of those guitars that can be your #1 for 20 years without ever needing a big overhaul.

I have an original series Viper 7, which is basically identical to this other than the shape, and this is exactly how I feel. Especially with the neck. It's just so comfy. I haven't touched my other guitars since I got it.

 

[bradthelegend]

I approve.

 

[UV7BK4LIFE]

wow HNGD!

how did you import this to the netherlands? any import taxes and stuff?

You can get new guitars through Rakuten Global, which is really only interesting for Edwards guitars imo.

You can find used guitars through J-guitars, Yahoo autions Japan and Digimart, and to actually get them to your doorstep it's best to use a mediator like Japonicamarket or Buyee.

Wow, very unique shape! Looks great for a used guitar. Congrats!

It's interesting that with the particular body shape it doesn't look like a 27" scale, it looks maybe 25.5" at the most. It's very interesting to me because I have a viper baritone 300 (6 string) and you can tell easily that it's a 27" scale but your guitar with its modified viper shape doesn't look baritone from your pics (maybe its just the angle?).

Thanks! After reading your post I actually took a tape measure. It really is 27" from bridge to nut... It plays like a 25.5" too!

Congrats, that's an awesome guitar! ESP's are amazing!

I have an original series Viper 7, which is basically identical to this other than the shape, and this is exactly how I feel. Especially with the neck. It's just so comfy. I haven't touched my other guitars since I got it.

Same here, I playing this thing all the time now!

It's a Original Serie ESP. It's made in one of their custom shops for the japanese domestic market, like all ESP there (the reason why we have E-II for overseas ESP now). It's handmade with superior materials.

I have one too (a viper). A damn good guitar i bought cheap for what it is. It's always a bargain to get those old models.
Have fun.

This Japanese ESP got me the worst case of GAS ever! All I want now is to sell all my LTD's and the RGA8 and get another baritone 7 and two six string ESP or Edwards guitars .