ESP E-II Arrow with Fishman Fluence Moderns Unsponsored Guitar Review Revisited
74This is a review of my ESP E-II Arrow guitar with Fishman Fluence Modern pickups. I have reviewed this guitar almost a year ago, so I want to update you on how it’s held up and what its current standings are in my lineup.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1xF7W4EAlVXPQ2nUvFdZEP?si=iwOjhZqATBamfnSPhIgN_w
Discord: https://discord.gg/KnRwHcBvtW
Subscribe:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/highz
----------
This guitar is good, although not my favorite. I appreciate the craftsmanship that went into making it but as I’ve played and owned other guitars, I find myself reaching for this cool V less and less. It’s hard to point out any one thing that is the primary cause. Coincidentally enough, this was the guitar I was using the most before taking a break from music in the later half of the 2010s, and this video’s production was cursed. Software issues, camera issues, reshoots, it maybe a guitar just might have a luck attribute!
00:00 Intro
00:14 Not sponsored
How its Held Up
00:33 Not as in love with it as I used to be
00:43 Good looks if you don’t mind the upper wing bump
01:13 Popping sound at the nut issue
02:01 The pickups are still the Fishman Fluence moderns
Playability
02:18 12 inch fretboard radius is decent but on the rounder side
03:29 Watch out if you’re getting this guitar as a supplement
03:47 Supreme playability because there’s no lower horn, strap button location
04:07 Gloss neck causes drag
04:38 Ebony fretboard on this guitar feel sticky
05:00 Inconvenient shape and playing experience sidelines it
05:18 Playing seated in classical style only
06:06 High quality nickel silver frets
06:25 Not a good guitar for practice
06:46 Strap button positions
Sound Discussion
07:04 Pickup switch from EMG 81 to Fishman Fluence Modern
07:41 Neck through for ultimate sustain
Pros
08:03 Mostly solid
08:16 Active pickups are a pro or con
08:21 Comfortable neck profile, fret access, sustain
08:29 Reverse headstock for comfortable tuning
08:49 Bevels on top and back of guitar
Cons
09:08 Inconvenient body shape is danger prone
09:45 Not great for sitting down playing a lot
10:06 Takes more getting used to after perfecting technique
10:42 Requires more warm up than before
Concluding Thoughts
11:07 Reasons why this guitar is no longer in my top pick rotation
11:48 Overall why it isn’t my favorite
11:58 Outro
Full Mix Demo
12:17 Neck pickup cleans
12:24 Bridge pickup riffing
12:34 Bridge guitar solo
12:38 Distorted leads
12:51 Clean outro