'98 ESP JH-2 Explorer #18

[zodiac272]

Hey, thanks for looking... here is my favorite guitar... Bought brand new in '98 from West Chester music on high street in PA. Sorry for the dust... I just cleaned it up, and it's awesome...

thanks!

scott

 

[ryjan]

That's f'kn awesome! I have an olympic white one from '99. They play real nice don't they?

 

[dbsens03]

awesome guitar dude, thanks for sharing!
how often do these come on to the market? and how much do they tend to run?

 

[zodiac272]

Hey thanks guys! Yes ryjan, the first time i picked it up I knew I had to have it. The neck is so fast, and low action, no fret buzz. ESP made some awesome explorers. The tone is unreal. I was using an Ibanez strat in '98 when I bought this one, and my roomate (hot romanian girl) who didn't play guitar, noticed a big difference in the tone, and she didn't even know I bought a new guitar.

I paid about $1700 then, now I see them on ebay every 4 months or so for $4500. I saw one on craigslist last winter for $2500. The older olympic white ones are even more money.

post some pics ryjan!

thanks again,
scott

 

[ryjan]

Here's a couple of action photos. 8) Gots the Mark IV in there also.

 

[zodiac272]

That's awesome! An explorer and a mark. perfect.

 

[JOEY B.]

I paid about $1700 then, now I see them on ebay every 4 months or so for $4500. I saw one on craigslist last winter for $2500. The older olympic white ones are even more money.

I guess $1700 for a guitar just the way you want it is not out of the question. $4500 is completely insane for a Japanese Explorer copy (sorry, I have to call them as I see them).
My early days of guitar were spent at a shop whose owner had a "thing" for the korina explorers, V's , and moderns. I guess I need to start making copies of the EVH Ibanez Destroyer, and put them on the market. It had a much better rhythm tone than the strat body guitar, for sure. :wink:

 

[zodiac272]

I would pay 2k for an ESP explorer easy. Yeah, they are copies, but from what I hear about Gibson guitars quality (mostly over the last 10 years), I'll stick with the copy. It may be unoriginal, but ESP quality and playability are excellent. Though, I always did like the korina "V' and explorers... very cool.

 

[MesaENGR412]

So sick man. You are very lucky. That is one awesome guitar. Thanks for sharing!

-AJH

 

[zodiac272]

Yes, I'm very luck to have got this baby. I've taken very good care of it. There is barely any swirling in the finish even though I have played it a sh!t ton. I don't think I slept when I first got it. I had a couple of the ltd lawsuit explorers in black, and they were good, but I sold them... I'll hope to get another ESP custom one of these years. You are lucky too man... Nice endorsement deals!
Thanks again!
Scott

 

[Guitar GeeK]

I need new underwear.
I now have to change my name to Count Jizz-alot!