ESP XJ12 12 string

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
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toinouBE
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ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by toinouBE » Sat Jan 12, 2019 2:12 am

So, this week .... this happened :

ESP XJ12, custom japan, in sparkle blue

XJ12 are pretty rare, but in this particular color I think it's a unique model
It is my undertanding that this guitar was built for display purpose for a fair like Musikmesse or Namm.
And then stayed in a box for 10 years maybe more at the importer warehouse.

It reappeared a few months ago at my music shop, with a huge discount (the one that you can't pass ;-) )

So :
Ash body, heavy as hell but very resonant
Seymour Duncan SH1 pickups
Split - Series - Parallel switch

That's not your everyday guitar, but it's very inspiring !

Hope you enjoy !

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Last edited by toinouBE on Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:22 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by marqueemoon » Sat Jan 12, 2019 7:26 am

That’s wild. Nice score.

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by BoringPostcards » Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:11 am

Sweet. That thing looks sick.
Det er mig der holder traeerne sammen.

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lammy
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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by lammy » Wed Jan 16, 2019 12:01 am

:-*

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by OV7 » Wed Jan 16, 2019 8:06 am

I like that input jack!

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toinouBE
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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by toinouBE » Wed Jan 16, 2019 9:07 am

Just go in touch with ESP Customer service, they can't be sure when it was done exactly ...
They assume somewhere around 1998, and it's custom ordered according to them (this finish was not in the stock options)

So my best guess, from infos gathered from ESP , my music shop, and the importer : Custom made for show display around 1998,and then kept in a warehouse for 20 years , untouched !

That's what you can call New Old Stock !

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by estranged » Wed Aug 21, 2019 7:58 am


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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by cestlamort » Wed Aug 21, 2019 8:13 am

That's really cool. And looks both old and very "now" in a sense.

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by estranged » Wed Aug 21, 2019 8:25 am

I sure do dig It much more now.
It's getting played more since I dropped in the AVRI pickups, way more jangle to wrangle!
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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by toinouBE » Fri Aug 23, 2019 5:15 am

Did you change the pickguard too ?
easy to find a replacement ?

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by estranged » Fri Aug 23, 2019 6:16 am

absolutely on the pickguard, that's custom work by a local luthier Tadd Shepard at Vwesome Guitars. He did the guard and control plate.
You can't find guards for these, they have to be made.

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by toinouBE » Fri Aug 23, 2019 11:58 am

estranged wrote:
Fri Aug 23, 2019 6:16 am
absolutely on the pickguard, that's custom work by a local luthier Tadd Shepard at Vwesome Guitars. He did the guard and control plate.
You can't find guards for these, they have to be made.
Thanks

I'm thinking about trying Lindy fralin Twangmaster pickups for that guitar ....

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by estranged » Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:33 pm

those would likely be a great choice for chime in a humbucker size!

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by toinouBE » Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:38 pm

estranged wrote:
Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:33 pm
those would likely be a great choice for chime in a humbucker size!
That's what the good people at Fralin told me .....
Now maybe their P92 in bridge position and twangmaster in neck pos. .... I still have to think this through ... but I'm not really happy with the stock PU's

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Re: ESP XJ12 12 string

Post by estranged » Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:41 pm

yah the stock pickups just don't cut the mustard at all. I even tired 1meg pots. The sound great in an all maple Gibson RD Custom, however! :w00t:

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