Constructed at the ESP Custom Shop in Japan.
ESP have debuted the new Exhibition Limited Custom Shop range for 2021, showcasing an eye-popping arsenal of new guitars that combine impeccable looks with high-quality hardware and unbelievable playability.
Summary
- ESP’s Exhibition Limited Custom Shop collection for 2021 boasts 38 bespoke guitars and basses.
- The series is constructed from top-tier tonewoods and features illustrious appointments and custom hardware and electronics.
- Each guitar will be able to purchase at a range of select ESP dealers and distributors around the world.
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ESP Exhibition Limited Custom Shop 2021
Aiming to present what the company claim to be the ‘very best of our own unmatched design skills and unlimited creativity’, the 2021 Exhibition Limited Custom Shop series utilises a selection of rare tonewoods, custom electronics and hardware and unique aesthetic materials to create ‘some of the finest guitars and basses ever made available for both serious players and collectors’.
The series, which was set to be debuted in its physical form at NAMM 2021, is available to see in its entirety on the ESP Custom Shop website here. Keep reading to see some of our favourites from the collection.
EX21-01 Snapper-CTM
This guitar, which is set to be shipped to Australia and can be ordered from CMI Music & Audio, features a stabilised blue resin buckeye burl drop top over an ash body, with a roasted flame maple neck and Birdseye maple fretboard included as well. It’s loaded with Seymour Duncan SSL52 and JB/Custom Hybrid pickups with wood covers, and also features a sweet matching painted headstock.
EX21-08 Throbber-CTM
With a Honduran mahogany centre and flame maple top and back featuring a Pink/Turquoise Fade finish, the EX21-08 Throbber-CTM also boasts a rosewood neck with matching Indian rosewood fretboard. In the pickup department, it’s home to a Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Power Boost and JB/Custom hybrid pickups with custom wood coverings, and is available to buy from Eddie’s Guitars in St. Louis.
EX21-11 M-II CTM NT
A decadent shredding machine with looks and tones to kill, this limited edition model boasts an alder body with a three-piece maple neck, while its glorious finish comes courtesy of a Purple resin top with brass powder binding. Other appointments include a black and white ebony fretboard and Bare Knuckle Cold Sweat pickups.
EX21-16 Arrow CTM NT
A wild take on the tried-and-true Flying V shape, the Arrow CTM NT features an eye-catching stabilised blue/pink resin buckeye burl finish over a rosewood top and roasted swamp ash body, which is paired with a rosewood neck and Macassar ebony fretboard with stabilised binding. Other appointments include aged hardware, a matching reversed headstock, coloured shark fin inlays and dual EMB 66 / RMG 57 active pickups.
EX21-21 Stream-GT CTM
Pairing a quilted maple top and back with an unlikely jasper centre, this Stream-GT from the 2021 Exhibition Custom Shop range steps out in a lavish See-Thru Black and See-Thru Red Finish, and is completed with a Birdseye maple neck, ebony fretboard and active EMG pickups.
EX21-22 EC-CTM
Boasting a quirky Hinoki top with colourful wood tiles and a Honduran rosewood binding, this classic single-cut electric features a Honduran mahogany body with a Birdseye maple neck and Cocobolo fretboard, with wood-covered Seymour Duncan 59/Jazz and 59/JB humbuckers occupying the neck and bridge position.
EX21-28 Prototype Bass-6
For a low-end experience unlike any other, this special edition Prototype Bass will definitely live up to the task. It features a Macassar ebony top and swamp ash body, while a flamed maple multi-laminated neck and Macassar ebony fretboard helps to seal the deal. There’s also a pair of Aguilar 6SD-D4 pickups with custom covers to add to the bespoke look of the instrument, with a myriad of switches allowing for full tonal flexibility.
EX21-32 Mystique-CTM-FT NT
Juxtaposing a beautifully roasted ash body with a stabilised multicolour Resin Works buckeye burl / blackboard top, there’s no denying that this limited edition Mystique certainly lives up to its namesake. A rosewood neck and cocobolo fretboard make for a perfect pairing for nimble fretwork, while a set of Seymour Duncan 59/Jazz and 59/JB pickups with wood covers help round this one out.
EX21-37 FRX-CTM-FT FR
This one is hectic! The FRX-CTM-FT FR makes good use of a Flamed Koa top and and back with a jasper body centre in a Natural/Blue Fade finish, as well as a Birdseye maple neck and Honduran rosewood fretboard with skull inlay and Koa binding. Other appointments include gold hardware, a locking tremolo system and a pair of Bare Knuckle Cold Sweat humbuckers with skull pickup surrounds – gnarly.
EX21-42 Mystique-CTM NT
Capping off our hot picks from this collection is the awe-inspiring Mystique-CTM NT, which features an amazing Claro walnut top with a gold leaf graphic and a Honduran mahogany centre. It’s also home to a rosewood neck and Macassar ebony fretboard, and is loaded with a pair of Seymour Duncan 59/JB humbuckers with wooden covers for good measure.
Check out the entire Exhibition Limited Collection over at ESP Guitars.
