SAINTE-GENEVIÈVE-DES-BOIS, France
About this listing
Carefully inspected and professionally set up by our guitar workshop, this guitar is a new demo model (showing only very minor superficial marks, almost invisible on the back).New strings installed (Ernie Ball Slinky 10–46).Includes ESP Deluxe hardcase, original card box, and all original accessories.ESP LTD CSIIQM VN Vintage NaturalCaleb Shomo Signature ModelMade in Korea (MIK) Serial Number: W24121955 Weight: 3.990 kg (8.8 lbs) Solid-body electric guitar, Phoenix shape inspired by a Gibson Firebird Construction: Neck-thru-body Body: Mahogany Top: Quilted Maple Neck: 3-piece Mahogany Neck Profile: Thin U Fingerboard: Macassar Ebony Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm) Radius: 350 mm (13.78") 22 Extra Jumbo Stainless Steel Frets Nut Width: 43 mm Nut: Black Bone Pickup Configuration: HS (Humbucker + Single Coil) Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom 14 Gold Cover (ESP exclusive) Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan STR-3 Quarter Pound Coil split via push/pull volume control 3-way pickup selector Passive electronics Hardware Finish: Gold Tuners: LTD Locking Bridge: Gotoh Tune-O-Matic with Stop Tailpiece Black binding on body, neck, and headstock Brushed black pickguard Caleb Shomo is not only the frontman of Beartooth. He is also the band’s primary songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist—a musician who builds his songs from the ground up with almost obsessive attention to detail. When an artist so deeply involved in every aspect of his music puts his name on a signature guitar, you can expect something more than a simple marketing exercise. The LTD CS-II perfectly reflects that philosophy: a guitar designed for the stage, the studio, and the creative process, offering a remarkable balance of power, comfort, and versatility.At first glance, the CS-II makes a strong impression. Its Phoenix-derived body shape has tremendous visual presence. The Vintage Natural finish beautifully showcases the quilted maple top, while the gold hardware and black binding add an almost luxurious elegance. This is far removed from the stereotypical flashy, aggressive metal guitar—everything about it feels refined, classy, and premium.The moment you pick it up, the build quality becomes immediately apparent. The neck-thru construction delivers the solidity and seamless feel that demanding players appreciate. The three-piece mahogany neck with its Thin U profile is fast without feeling excessively flat, striking an ideal balance between modern comfort and a natural playing experience. The 22 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets further enhance the sense of precision, offering smooth bends, impeccable playability, and virtually unlimited durability.However, it is in the tonal department that this signature model truly surprises. Many guitars associated with modern rock artists tend to be highly specialized. The CS-II takes the opposite approach. The ESP-exclusive Seymour Duncan Custom 14 in the bridge position delivers impressive output while maintaining excellent clarity. Heavy riffs remain articulate, complex chords retain definition, and lead lines cut through the mix effortlessly. The push-pull coil split further expands its sonic range, providing brighter and more open tones when needed.The real surprise comes from the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound neck pickup. Its character is beefier than that of a traditional single-coil, bringing exceptional harmonic richness. Clean tones gain body and depth, crunch sounds become highly expressive, and melodic passages take on a personality reminiscent of a P-90. This pairing gives the CS-II a level of versatility rarely found in guitars born from the world of heavy rock.The mahogany and quilted maple combination also plays a major role in the guitar’s success. The mahogany contributes warmth, sustain, and depth, while the maple top adds attack and definition. The result is an instrument that remains authoritative under high-gain settings while staying lively and detailed when the gain is rolled back. It is exactly the kind of guitar capable of handling an entire album recording without ever feeling confined to a single musical style.In the end, the LTD CS-II is arguably one of the most coherent and well-executed signature models ESP has released in recent years. It offers the striking aesthetics expected from a signature guitar, but more importantly, it delivers genuine sonic character and build quality that fully justify its premium ambitions. For Beartooth fans, it serves as a fitting tribute to Caleb Shomo. For everyone else, it is simply an outstanding modern guitar—equally appealing to hard-rock players and musicians seeking a versatile, inspiring, and exceptionally well-crafted instrument. It is a signature model that deserves to be judged on its intrinsic qualities long before considering the name on the headstock.
Original Price€2,399
23% price drop
New Price€1,859
Incl. VAT
+ €79 Shipping
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