Up for sale, a circa 1990 ESP George Lynch Skull & Snakes signature model “Haji” in collector-grade, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. George Lynch’s iconic Skull & Snakes model is an important piece of ESP’s overall history: based on a guitar custom-built for Lynch while Dokken was touring Japan in 1985, this no-frills shredder arguably laid the groundwork for ESP’s explosion in popularity amongst metal guitarists in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Based on the pickup complement, Strat-style headstock shape, and offset dot inlay on the fretboard, this particular early iteration of the Skull & Snakes platform likely dates to ~1990.

The pickups include a Seymour Duncan 12B Screamin’ Demon George Lynch signature humbucker in the bridge position and an ESP-made single coil at the neck. The Screamin’ Demon was designed to combine the dynamic detail of a classic PAF with crisp ‘80s-style sizzle, featuring overwound coils and Alnico V magnet construction. This powerful humbucker is big and open-sounding, with scooped mids and an aggressive attack that ensures consistent articulation at all levels of distortion. This particular humbucker was wound by the “Queen of the SD Custom Shop,” Maricela Juarez, as identified by the “J” on the baseplate sticker. Juarez has wound pickups for artists including Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, George Harrison, and Slash, to name just a few. The single coil at the neck complements the humbucker for further snap and clarity, and the Volume knob conceals a push-pull pickup selector. This Skull & Snakes weighs 8lbs 7oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, slinky action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Maple
• Shape: Slender D, measuring .820” 1st fret, .905” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Rosewood, abalone offset dot inlays
• Frets: Jumbo, no wear
• Scale Length: 25 1/2”
• Nut: 1 3/4”, locking
• Headstock: Early ‘90s-style (Strat-shaped)
• Tuners: ESP-stamped
• Serialization: Engraved on neck plate

Body Specs:

• Wood: Alder
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan 12B Screamin’ Demon (Maricela Juarez sticker on baseplate), ESP-made single coil
• Controls: Volume, push/pull pickup selector
• Hardware: Floyd Rose tremolo, dome-top knurled knob

The immediately identifiable Wicked Sensation graphic is still plenty vibrant on top, and cosmetic wear is limited to modest pick scuffing, light buckle rash on the back central to the lower bout, and a few minor nicks along the perimeter. The smooth satin finish on the neck profile is flawless.

The original ESP-branded gigbag is included.