ESP EDWARDS TE-98ASM BSC Butterscotch Blonde / Traditional Series / Telecaster Type / Made In Japan / E-TE-98ASM / ED1730224

Carefully inspected and professionally set up by our guitar workshop, this instrument is a showroom model in like-new condition.

ESP EDWARDS TE-98 ASM BSC Butterscotch Blonde

• Traditional Series
• MIJ – Made in Japan
• Serial: ED1730224
• Weight: 3.200 kg
• Fender Telecaster-style solid-body electric guitar
• Body: Ash
• Neck: Maple (Hard Maple)
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Nut width: 42 mm
• Frets: 21
• Radius: 240R
• Scale length: 648 mm
• Nut: Bone
• Fingerboard inlays: Black acrylic
• Neck joint: Bolt-on
• Tuners: Gotoh SD91-05M
• Bridge: T-20 with brass saddles
• Hardware finish: Nickel
• Bridge pickup: Edwards ET-1b (Made in Japan)
• Neck pickup: Edwards ET-1n (Made in Japan)
• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-way pickup selector

ESP is now one of the biggest names in high-end guitars, particularly renowned for the precision of its Japanese craftsmanship and for instruments designed for the most demanding players. But when talking about ESP, it is also important to mention Edwards, a brand that was for many years one of the Japanese market’s best-kept secrets. Originally aimed primarily at the Japanese market, Edwards offered instruments designed with the same attention to quality and finishing that helped establish ESP’s reputation, while occupying a particularly attractive position in terms of value for money. This TE-98 ASM is a superb example of that philosophy.

Inspired by the traditional Telecaster, this Edwards faithfully retains the fundamental characteristics of the original design while benefiting from truly outstanding Japanese craftsmanship. The first thing you notice when picking up the instrument is the remarkable sense of precision and seriousness found in the best Japanese-made guitars: flawless construction, exceptionally neat fretwork, a perfectly fitted neck and a finish carried out with great attention to detail. This is clearly a guitar designed and built with a level of care that goes far beyond what one would normally expect at this price point.

The choice of woods contributes significantly to its high-end feel, with an ash body paired with a maple neck and fingerboard. The result is the direct, dynamic response that players look for in a great Telecaster, with plenty of attack, definition and character. The neck profile and finish also make the instrument extremely comfortable to play, whether for traditional rhythm work or more aggressive, articulate playing. The 240R radius provides excellent versatility, combining the feel of a modern guitar with the essential character of the traditional instrument.

The Edwards ET-1b and ET-1n pickups are perfectly suited to this approach. The bridge pickup delivers the snap, attack and unmistakable personality associated with a Telecaster, while the neck pickup provides greater warmth and depth. The middle position offers that classic balance between brightness and warmth that is such an integral part of the Telecaster identity. The deliberately simple and highly effective electronics, with master volume, master tone and a 3-way selector, allow you to immediately take advantage of the instrument’s full potential.

The bone nut, Gotoh SD91-05M tuners and T-20 bridge equipped with brass saddles perfectly illustrate the quality of the hardware chosen for this Edwards. Nothing has been overlooked: every component has been selected for reliability, precision and musicality, reflecting that very Japanese approach of prioritizing efficiency and substance rather than unnecessary features.

And this is probably where the Edwards becomes particularly compelling: it delivers the spirit and character of a great Telecaster while offering a level of craftsmanship that can genuinely compete with far more prestigious instruments. The quality of the construction, the precision of the assembly, the attention paid to the fretwork and the choice of components immediately give the impression of a high-end guitar.

To be perfectly clear, this Edwards can even outperform many American-made Telecasters, particularly when it comes to finishing quality, consistency of construction and overall perceived quality. This is precisely what has long made Japanese instruments so appealing: they are capable of taking quality control and attention to detail to an exceptional level. This TE-98 ASM does not try to impress through an excessive list of features; instead, it wins you over through its coherence and the excellence of its execution.

With its superb Butterscotch Blonde finish, timeless aesthetics and authentic Telecaster personality, it also possesses that very special charm found in instruments that look familiar at first glance but reveal, once in your hands, a level of quality considerably higher than their appearance might suggest.

An Edwards Made in Japan is therefore much more than simply an alternative to a Telecaster: it is a genuine professional-grade guitar, built with exceptional rigor, and a rare opportunity to experience the Japanese craftsmanship that has played such an important role in ESP’s reputation. For Telecaster enthusiasts looking for an instrument that is traditional, exceptionally well built and particularly exclusive, this TE-98 ASM is a true hidden gem.