Best Alder Body ESP E-II Electric Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Alder body ESP E-II electric guitars. This is a lightweight type of wood that was popularized by Fender. According to them, it's a wood that offers a balanced tone but that favors the upper midrange slightly.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

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1. ESP E-II Arrow

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ESP E-II Arrow

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Playability 80

Sound 81

Build quality 79

Value for money 70

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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3 Prices - New from $2,299 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

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3 Prices - New from $2,299 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Arrow

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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2. ESP E-II M-II

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ESP E-II M-II

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Playability 80

Sound 81

Build quality 80

Value for money 70

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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4 Prices - New from $1,999 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 M series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Flamed Maple top
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

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4 Prices - New from $1,999 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 M series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Flamed Maple top
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II M-II

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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3. ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru

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ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru

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Playability 80

Sound 81

Build quality 79

Value for money 70

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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2 Prices - New from $1,999 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 M series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

2 Prices - New from $1,999 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 M series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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4. ESP E-II M-II 7B Baritone Evertune

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ESP E-II M-II 7B Baritone Evertune

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Playability 77

Sound 82

Build quality 80

Value for money 65

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (20 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (17 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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2 Prices - New from $2,928.12 >
From ESP E-II's 2021 M series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Evertune (F model) bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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2 Prices - New from $2,928.12 >
From ESP E-II's 2021 M series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Evertune (F model) bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II M-II 7B Baritone Evertune

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Multi-Voicing Pickups
Stays in Tune (Evertune)
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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5. ESP E-II SN-2

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ESP E-II SN-2

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Playability 77

Sound 82

Build quality 78

Value for money 64

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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6 Prices - New from $3,199 >
From ESP E-II's 2021 SN series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Buckeye Burl Maple top
Alder body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Bare Knuckle Aftermath (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Bare Knuckle Aftermath (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original SE bridge
Thin U Bolt-On neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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6 Prices - New from $3,199 >
From ESP E-II's 2021 SN series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Buckeye Burl Maple top
Alder body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Bare Knuckle Aftermath (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Bare Knuckle Aftermath (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original SE bridge
Thin U Bolt-On neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II SN-2

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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6. ESP E-II Horizon-III

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ESP E-II Horizon-III

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Playability 82

Sound 76

Build quality 78

Value for money 69

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)

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4 Prices - New from $1,628.93 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 Horizon-III series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Flamed Maple top
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

4 Prices - New from $1,628.93 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 Horizon-III series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Flamed Maple top
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Horizon-III

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

7. ESP E-II Horizon NT-7B Hipshot

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ESP E-II Horizon NT-7B Hipshot

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Playability 78

Sound 79

Build quality 79

Value for money 69

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (20 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (17 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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4 Prices - New from $2,499 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 Horizon series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Hipshot w/ String Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

4 Prices - New from $2,499 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 Horizon series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Hipshot w/ String Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Horizon NT-7B Hipshot

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Multi-Voicing Pickups
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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8. ESP E-II FRX

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ESP E-II FRX

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Playability 77

Sound 84

Build quality 77

Value for money 69

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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2 Prices - New from $2,699 >
From ESP E-II's 2021 FRX series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60TW-R (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

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2 Prices - New from $2,699 >
From ESP E-II's 2021 FRX series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60TW-R (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II FRX

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

9. ESP E-II Arrow NT

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ESP E-II Arrow NT

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Playability 82

Sound 76

Build quality 77

Value for money 68

Overall Score 78

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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3 Prices - New from $2,099 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM & String-Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

3 Prices - New from $2,099 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM & String-Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Arrow NT

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

10. ESP E-II Jeff Ling

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ESP E-II Jeff Ling

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Playability 82

Sound 76

Build quality 79

Value for money 69

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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2 Prices - New from $2,699 >
From ESP E-II's 2016 Signature series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh T.O.M. w/ String Thru bridge
Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

2 Prices - New from $2,699 >
From ESP E-II's 2016 Signature series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh T.O.M. w/ String Thru bridge
Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Jeff Ling

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Luminescent Inlay
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices