Esp Serial Number Chart

So I just picked this up in a trade from a guy on craigslist. I was intrigued by the wild finish and the fact that it was an older Japanese ESP. The headstock says its an ESP Maverick. The finish appears to be original but I have never seen anything like it before. It changes color depending on the angle and lighting.

Anyone seen anything like this before? Any info is appreciated! From what I have heard ESP does not have good records from the late 80's early 90's and aren't much help in identifying old guitars. Yeah the finish is really sold me on it! I just wanted to make sure it was a real ESP as I've never seen one like it!

The thing I thought was strange was there is nothing on the back of the headstock at all. Most ESPs I have seen have the little ESP circle with logo on the back. Did they not do that on the older 80's models? Its in awesome shape for the age though. Aside from a dime sized paint chip near the guitar input its pretty much perfect.

Frets look like its never been played! Couple of quickies * ESP record keeping. I've been told that ESP had a fire in their (old) LA office in the mid/late 90's which destroyed most if not all of their existing records. * Serial numbers. ESP has used a mix of serial number schemes over the years. Here's my personal observations for USA models (be aware that ESP seems to use different methods in different countries and always seems to produce healthy numbers of exceptions to rules): Late 80's- early 90's Neck through- Made in Japan inked into the back of the headstock Serial numbers stamped into the last fret (closest to the body) of the fretboard. Bolt on- nothing stamped on back of headstock serial number stamped into the neck plate.

Mar 17, 2018 - If you don't see a serial number, it's because that guitar hasn't been added yet. You are welcome to e-mail customerservice@espguitars. Feb 17, 2010 - Is there an easy, quick way to verify an Esp Serial number? Thanks in advance.

FWIW- I had a custom shop bolt on Horizon from this time period that had no serial number whatsoever. Mid 90's- early 2000's ESP Custom Guitars circular logo screened on the back of the headstock (this includes standard 'mass produced' models as well). Serial number either inked on the back of the headstock or stamped into neck plate. 3cx license key.

I have a bolt on KH-2 from this era that has both an inked serial number and a (different) neck plate number. Mid2000's- Current ESP guitars circular logo screened on the back of the headstock. Mass produced models have ESP Standard Series Guitars. Custom shop has ESP Custom Guitars logo. Serial number changed to screen on back of headstock. Standard series serials start with letters SS, custom shop serials start with two letters denoting which ESP custom shop built the instrument, signature models start with two letters- earlier signature models started with artists initials, more recent models seem to be a mix of either custom shop initials or artist initials.

I've seen both on the same model of guitar from the same year. * ESP Floyds- The bar and sleeve is a different size than a Original Floyd Rose. A knowledgeable tech can modify an OFR bar (albeit with no locking collar) to fit if necessary. Hope this helps.

I should also add that ESP used the word 'Deluxe' in the 80's and 90's to signify that a model had 24 frets vs. 22 frets (e.g. ESP seemed to have dropped the 'deluxe' from the model names in the late 90's as they transitioned to only 24 fret necks. ESP revived the 'Deluxe' term the late 2000's in their LTD line to signify what you would typically associate deluxe to mean (premium model). Key take away is that if you're looking at a late 80's- mid 90's ESP, you should count the frets just to be sure you're getting what you expect.