Haven’t even watched the video yet but it’s the ESP no question

Totally agree. My biggest issue with Jacksons are the Floyd Rose. They always seem to be one step down from similarly priced guitars. Their X series which can go for almost $900 come with Floyd Rose Specials while others in that price range come with FR1000s.

The Jackson MJ stuff is a good alternative- they have gotoh floyds, which are the actual best in my humble opinion, even over the original.

It's a small thing, but for 2.5K I'd want it to say ESP on the headstock. Actually, I won't get either of those as I just got an Ibanez RG565-vk with the superior edge trem. The Ibanez V8 bridge pickup sounds great. MIJ for half the price.

Both guitars are 12" radius at the first fret, Jackson 43mm and ESP 42mm. They put the 1000/1500 series on the Jackson because there are 2 versions of the R3 nut (43mm). The OFR version has a 10" radius and the 1000/1500 series version has a 12" radius. The Korean 1000/1500 series are shipped with the bridge and nut together. Since they have a large quantity in the shop for their lower product line, it makes sense to use them on the American series to cut unnecessary costs and to avoid mismatching the nut radius with the 12"-16" compound radius neck. ESP uses Gotoh locking nuts, not FR brand, which are OEM. They fit the pre-made shelf cutouts on the necks imported from ESP China (Jixi) where EII and Edwards necks are made. You'll notice that these Gotoh nuts are also 42mm. Unlike the offerings from Floyd Rose, Gotoh locking nuts have a 12" radius. Neither the 1000 series or Original series from FR offer a 42mm nut (R2) with a 12" radius, both versions have a 10" radius. Gotoh OEM hardware is readily available for low cost bulk orders in the Japanese domestic market, so ESP can order the Original Floyd Rose units without having to use the included nut which doesn't fit their necks anyway. If it says ESP on the headstock, the neck was crafted in Japan at one of the 3 custom shops. These guitars will use the OFR locking nut instead of Gotoh, with the nut slots being properly cut/shimmed by the custom shop to fit the 12" radius neck (additional cost). If Jackson did this as well, the cost would be above $2500 because American labor costs much more.

i'm so in love with the design of the Soloists. it's literally how i want the vast majority of superstrats to look like.

M-II all the way except for that shitty E-II logo

I have never owned an American Jackson. I played a used one last week and my decision was made. It is amazing to play. I love ESPs too, but I prefer the Jackson look, pickups, tremolo, 5 way toggle, and neck. I traded 2 baritone guitars and had Guitar Center price match ProStarAudio and got the price down to 1k. I haven't received it yet, but I'm very excited to try it out. Thanks for the video! Take care, Sam.

Great video dude. subbed. For me, I agree with you. I hate tone knobs and prefer volume only. I play Jackson. Thinking about an ESP but I want pickups mounted direct to body. As a personal feel, I won't consider a guitar with painted neck. My ideal guitar would be OFR, ONE HUMBUCKER mounted to body with volume only and ebony fretboard...any suggestions?

I do not hate you for your decision because it’s the correct one!! Thank you so much for making this video and in helping me to make up my mind.

Jackson USA -> FloydRose 1500, coming with Foam Case. E-II -> Original FloydRose, coming with Hardshell Case. Ibanez Prestige -> Either Original Edge or Lo-pro Edge (if RG 5xxx series, also got Stainless Steel frets) coming with Hardshell Case. Jackson need to step up themselves.

would you say a E-II M-II in mint condition including the hard case for $1550 is a great deal? My son is gigging guitarist, and today while shopping for other gear we spotted one, and he played it for an hour. It sounded great, clean and dirty, through an orange 120 pro. The shop manager is a friend and he said he got it in a bundle deal from a landlord, tenant bailed after not paying rent for a year, court gave possessions to landlord, landlord sold all music equipment to shop or one price. He has 4 guitars of various budgets, but this is the first time he said a guitar played better than his 1995 Yamaha Pacifica. He needs to upgrade, but it has to be worthy. He is 15 years old., and it is booked for the rest of the year.

I picked up an SN-1000FR for just under 750 after shipping, having picked it over the Jackson SL3. I'm not sure where the extra 1800 goes in the Jackson.

I own a Dinky and a Soloist, and I recently bought an E-II. I really love Jacksons, but the E-II is on another level.

ESP is great but Jackson is more comfortable for me, and more modifiable.

You always choose the one I choose 🤜🏽🔥🤛🏻

Great video! Good to know is that the E2 has a maple veneer.

I've warmed up to the Jackson, maybe it should be a bit cheaper, but I'm in a place now where I really consider it, although I hope a used USA or Japan (with MOP inlays) Soloist comes for sale. If I'm getting another ESP, it has to say ESP on the headstock, but not just that, Custom shop, then I'm guaranteed that it's either made in Japan or USA (if I go that route) Although I love my ESP Standard Eclipse II from 2004, Japan doesn't have a law about putting on a sticker on a guitar that says ''Made in Japan'' to things that are not entirely made in Japan. I'd be surprised if the old Standard series were not made in china (at ESPs own factory, which opened in the 90s) and then shipped to Japan for final assembly and touches. As an ESP rep said about the E-IIs (previously ESP Standard line) at the 2017 namm show ''Fit and finished in Japan'' and the E-IIs still carries traits from the previous Standard line, weird inlay filler, doesn't even have full figured caps, just a veneer on a plain cap.

the neck on my E-II M-II is not a thin profile at all, im shockingly in love with it but its drmatically different than jacksons, Ive got a Loomis Kelly and Its really nice but its like a Charvel neck close to wizard profile.

And if u get the ESP EII MII without the flamed top, just solid black its like 500$ cheaper and looks better imo

Honestly the necks on the new SL3s need to be played to be believed. The lack of binding allows them to roll the fingerboard edges so the necks feel even nicer than the USA Soloists I’ve played in the past. The ESP U-shape neck never appealed to me quite as much. If you must have OFR it’s a drop in replacement and you’ll still have spent less than a used USA Soloist which are all like $3k and up now.

great choice

I have both and they're both amazing guitars. I too wish that the Jackson came with an OFR. I was lucky to find a brand new one for 2k. Otherwise I might not have jumped on it at 2500. But hey, it's still an incredible guitar and I can always dump an original Floyd in it later if I need too.

I'm a Jackson fanboy but in this specific case I would go with the ESP as well. i own a Jackson MJ SL2 soloist (made in Japan) and it is around the same price. i believe the MJ series does more justice on this comparison due to its super skinny neck and the Gotho Floyd Rose which is not an original but does the trick pretty well.

about these 2 example ESP of course but if I have 2500 to spend for metal guitar I don't buy non of those

Eii M2 but with Seymour Duncan or bare knuckle

Price and feature wise I'd agree. The EII is top notch MIJ quality. You get a real Floyd , EMG's , flawless build quality, a real hard case not that cheesy Jackson soft case junk as well as my preferred dual Humbucker setup. Plus it is substantially cheaper. What makes it hard for me is how amazing the SL3 neck is. With the rolled edges, Jackson compound radius is superior as well imo. The 1500 series trem is really nice too with the pop in bar, although I'd prefer the OFR especially at Jackson's price point. It's a tough call, I do feel the Jackson is easily $500.00 overpriced especially with the cheesy soft case you get.

Since fender bought Jackson in the early 2000,s its like they don't care about the brand, overpriced terrible qc issues it's like they are getting their revenge for Jackson been so successful in the 80,s and out selling them

I own both. Play both equally. Idk…. My esp had a hard tail and a piezo, my Jackson is Floyd hss. Different applications. Only guitars I have in the same tuning.

even a Schecter C1 Hellraiser has an original Floyd Rose trem and EMGs 81-89 set for only $1099

Why send your trem to germany when you almost make them ok in korea

I bought the ESP. not even close.

The 1500 is better than OFR because of the stainless steel screws that don't rust out. Both are Grade 8 other than that. The only Floyd Rose 1000 that sucks is the black chrome aka gray one because the finish fades. Other than that they are the same thing

ESP or LTD are great guitars.

The e2 is amazing

If I was to get the Jackson, I'd just spend the extra $100 and get the MIJ version. Not paying $2500+ for a guitar with a Korean floyd rose

My eii horizon has a Floyd rose 1000 stock. Don’t say made in Germany

Jackson looks cool but...the term does not do it . That's the problem with Jackson's. ESP better value

First off, i wouldn't buy an esp from Japan for over 2 grand, or a Jackson from America for over 2 grand, when there's a Japanese soloist every bit as loaded for 1600..... that said I've played a good number of guitars and Jackson and schecter ultra thin c take the cake, while keeping some of their Japanese and Korean models at reasonable prices. I like esp and Ibanez, but while very similar to the schecter, I'm not going to spend 700-1000 more, when schecter are built as good, if not better, and some even more fully loaded for around 1500. Also, it helps, top of the line schecter pickups are better than pretty much everything not named bareknuckle.

I would go with the Jackson because of the pickups. Like the E-II too...both are great guitars IMO

Seriously if you’ve used an oem vs original fr for a period of over 10 years use you will know it makes absolutely zero difference

FR 1500 is pretty disappointing on such an expensive guitar. Would have preferred more neon type colors on the Jackson, the blue and green dont do anything for me. the ESP EII is pretty nice, except the pick up rings look cheap. the original FR is the sensible choice here. personally I prefer the Prestiges in this price range, as the Lo Pro Edge is simply amazing, but thats just personal preference.

How are you reviewing guitars without having your hands on the actual guitars. Shambles!

ESP all day. I wouldn’t buy either because I don’t like railroad spike frets, but the ESP wins and it isn’t close.

esp all they way lol

Jackson quality is not even close to esp. I had a jackson and had nothing but issues. I have 4 esp m2 guitars and they have been perfect in every way

Rather than paying 2.5k for the American series, I would buy an underrated Kramer SM-1 that really rocks, and has perfect sustain, although it costs 800-850) 3 times cheaper :))

ESP without a doubt. Jackson guitars use to be great. They suck now... they're indo models are trash and there "Eii" line is way over priced. Too much inconsistency.

Had my E-II horizon III Hard Tail for years now, on the road and in the studio. I wouldn't care if it said "big purple guitar" on the headstock - this is my go to the grave guitar. Norhing I have ever played does it like this. If you care that much that it does not say ESP on the headstock - then what in god's name are you concentrating on in your playing? Seriously. Before this guitar Holdsworth legato was a dream for me - and now I can incorporate that phrasing into any place I wish when I improvise (not as seamless as he did of course). I'm sorry, but if you buy golf clubs that only say Tiger Woods on them, and then expect to PLAY like him, you will be dissapointed.

This is a bit of a controversial opinion. But after playing Floyd rose for so many years, if you know how to maintain and properly set up a Floyd, there is no issue. I will stand by the fact that the Floyd special should not be on any guitar ever. But the 1000/1500 are great tremolos.

This isn’t a review, it’s a spec-sheet read through. No direct experience with either = why talk about them from a pretend position of knowledge?

ESP EII series is assembled in Indonesia and finished up in Japan.

never had any issues with 1500 floyd rose, 2010 mij charvel pro mod so cal, still works perfect. i have 6 jackson licensed jt580lp zero problems, my floyd rose pro lo profile is a pain in the ass but once you get it playing right its killer until string change time again also breaks strings once in a while, i had 2 german floyd rose originals one stock and one modded completely with all the fu tone swag and fr brass block even the claw was i think brass with titanium screws, the ofr was decent bu the push in arm coupler kept coming loose, you have to take the trem out on a rhoads to tighten it, total pain got rid of that, my other pimped out ofr in another rhoads professionaly and expensively built, total crap from the first day even made the tone seem thin brassy or tinny, actually all 3 words are accurate. pick ups are a taste thing, EMGs , are not better you just prefer them, you didnt have either guitar, so wtf? complete bullshit shoot out

I think both guitars are overpriced, especially the Jackson. These Jacksons are trying to advertise like they are the Grover's of old. Trust me, they are NOT.. They're made by Fender and the Indo made Jacksons at over half the price are just as good if not better. As for the ESP.. I really like this model, I just wish they'd offer more colors. ESP does a great job w/ their flamed and quilted maple and this seems to be the only one I can find at this price and you can barely see the flamed maple. That's my biggest complaint on both, so I'll stick to my Ibanez Genesis when it comes to a fantastic guitar made in Japan at less than half the price.

The floyd 1000 are exactly the same as the originals. Same material, the only difference is in the materials of the fine tuners, steel for the series 1000 and brass for the original. Harder to turn steel. So stop being uneducated and stupidly repeating what KZfaqrs say without even being able to stipulate the precision I just did on fine tuners. And I would like to add that Shaller manufactures for Floyd Rose, the only difference is that Floyd Rose puts its mark on the product that Shaller manufactured, when you buy a Shaller lockmeister for 240 dollars, Floyd rose resells them to you 380 dollars. And for $140 you have a Gotoh that does exactly the same thing better. And because you’re Americans you think it’s better. Cultivate yourself and stop listening to anything.

I have been having this debate hard and my brother shredder @nickscarfo83 helped me come to the conclusion m2 is the winner if I can’t go balls out on a custom Jackson