Glad I bought it here...

The ESP Phoenix II is retialing in UK stores for GBP1,740 (about SGD3,613)... I'm really glad I bought mine here for SGD1,950... *phew* Yes, that GBP price would have factored in taxes but I got mine for a post-tax price as well.

Head differences

I came across a note on ESP's Phoenix model which mentioned a design revision for its current version (white guitar above). So I went hunting for a pic of its predecessor & noted the difference in headstock design. It also featured a pair of uncovered humbuckers.

ESP family

My current 2 ESP guitars- Phoenix II (top) & Eclipse II (bottom)...

• Phoenix II: My current fix, a wonderful guitar despite it not being in a likable manifestation in my books.
• Eclipse II: Not a fan of active pickups but I like these EMGs. The guitar's satin finish is the most attractive I've come across not in terms of visual attraction but in feel

It seems that ESP has this niche in coming up with appeal regardless of forms- I'm not a singlecut design fan, I'm not too eager when it comes to designs which ape other brand names. But ESP made them appealing.

Phoenix's Duncans

The default Duncan pickups in the Phoenix II are the JB/ '59 pair. We know the JB to be a menacing pickup in the midrange offering, while the '59 is renowned for its vintage sweetness. These pickups remain as such but in their covered form, there is this compressed treble voicing which I like especially with lots of drive/ distortion in the mix. I dislike the uncovered '59, I used to have it in 2 guitars, in the neck position. Then the Lil '59 came by in my Ibanez RG560 & that was a very likable pickup in the neck position. I have not found a deserving alternative until I hear this covered '59 in the Phoenix.

Phoenix: Headstock

 

The tuners featured in ESP's Phoenix II are a set of GOTOH's Magnum Lock by default.

This means the Magnum Locks will lock/ clamp down your strings as you tune. What's the benefit? These prevent strings slippage as you tighten your tuners, making your tuning more stable.

Hey, dad! (Part 18)

 

Hey, dad! Thanks for letting us watch you re-string your ESP guitar. It's a great view from up here. Anyway, your ESP guitar case- we like!!

Body talk

 

 The above pic shows the ESP Phoenix II rear...

 

Its countepart, Gibson's Firebird, has a raised centre potion which is part of the through-body construction piece.

Orange Phoenix

Was at Beez's... As you can see, the master at work, employing some rapid soldering skills.

The mods done:

• Orange Drop capacitor installed
• Re-wire to 1 volume + 1 tone (the default controls were 2 x volume- I have no use for such schematics...)
• Coil split switch: I can't resist hearing the Duncan '59 in single coil mode

At the end of the day, it's a wind-down at Ansari's... a sumptuas mutton briyani serving & the above Habib's Cocktail Special. This is one of the many specialty shaken iced drinks available for your rehydration. The alchemy here is one of distinction; you can make out what's in the mix: rose syrup (I was duly informed it's not the off-the-shelf variety, a mystical derivative, unique to Ansari), mint, apple, soda but it's one inseparable mix. Unity in diversity- that's how it is.

Phoenix Dean

 

Yes, the first thing I did this morning is to re-string my ESP Phoenix II with a set of .009s (Dean Markley). I also did a wrap-round stringing at the bridge.

Hey, dad! (Part 17)

Hey, dad! My apple & your Phoenix are friends. Can my apple sit on it, please?

Phoenix scale length

 

As evident here, the ESP Phoenix II's scale length is 25.5" as opposed to Gibson Firebird's 24.75" for those of us who think the former guitar is a perfect alternative to the latter.