HR8

New stuff from Edwards - the Horizon goes 8-string + FR bridge. Not too many 8s sport the FR bridge, the one in this guitars is the FR 1000, 8-string version. 

If you don't fancy such bridges, this fixed bridge version is also available. Pickups for both guitars are Seymour Duncan's Nazgul / Sentient pair. 

Through-neck construction if you doubt playability & upper fret access. 

Pics: ESP Japan

Fusion Thursday

Spent time with my Agile Septor 625 today which was left unplayed for quite some time.

The pickup mounting ring cracked at one of the corners & broke when I removed the screw. I gave up looking for a replacement piece because Agile used a slightly longer version back at the factory & the ones sold in the stores here are mostly spaced for Gibson. I managed to find one online & waited for more than 10 days for it to arrive. I have a spare DiMarzio humbucker in the house & it went into this guitar (Fusion Edge). It sounds rather likeable here. Hmm...

ESP 2021 (3)

Rounding the 2021 ESP affairs, these three E-II models are worth mentioning. The Fluence-Evertune details are now offered in a 7-string, baritone (27" scale length) as seen in this M-II 7B.

Flying the bolt-on flag is this Snapper, all spec'd up for a contemporary feel; Floyd Rose Original bridge, Bare Knuckle Aftermath & an ebony fretboard. The thing with this S-type take is that, it's competing with Fender & Charvel in a similar performance domain but losing out on price appeal compounded by the fact that there's no ESP label at the headstock to propel buyer confidence. Yes, you can announce to the world that the E-IIs are indeed your former ESP Standard models in another incarnation but potential buyers do not wish for two brand names in a single instrument. It invites doubt more than assurance. 

My final mention goes to this M-I. It's easily a likeable guitar in my books for that single pickup feature. It's also whammy-free, has an ebony fretboard & a through-body neck construction. If this gets here, it's very difficult to look away but at the rate things are going for me, it's  just a wish list guitar.
 

Pics: ESP

Iron 8

I might be a little late in knowing that the RG8 is offered in an Iron Label, though neck option- RGIT28. On that note, as Ibanez continues to offer the 8-string in more affordable makes, the RG2228 had been discontinued.