The ESP Guitar Company

In 2013, ESP did something that few people expected: we opened a manufacturing facility in the USA, right here in Southern California adjacent to our US headquarters. The purpose of this shop was specifically to design and build a whole new series of guitars which we called ESP USA. As the name implies, ESP USA models are completely made in America. We brought in some of the most experienced and detail-obsessed luthiers to create and build these world-class instruments, and over the past five years, many people have marveled at the level of build quality, outstanding tone, and playability offered by these guitars.

One such person happens to be Will Adler of the respected Virginia-based American metal band Lamb of God. While Will has his own line of guitars in our ESP and LTD Signature Series, it was only recently that he got hands-on experience with an ESP USA model... in his case, a USA Eclipse with a flamed maple top in See Thru Black Cherry finish. Nearly all ESP USA guitars are created individually. It's not quite like our famous ESP Custom Shop in Japan, but with ESP USA, we offer a variety of top woods, finishes, components, and pickups that allow us to build each model to the tastes of their owners.

The USA Eclipse model Will is using has set-thru neck construction at classic 24.75” scale, with a chambered mahogany body, a three- piece mahogany neck, an ebony fingerboard, 22 extra-jumbo frets,  a Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece, and Sperzel locking tuners. He's also installed a set of Fishman Fluence pickups in his model. What was his reaction to the guitar?

"I seriously cannot put this thing down," he says. "Like, I want it on tour, but I can't risk anything happening to it! I'm gonna miss it like my favorite pet. Haven't felt this way about a guitar in quite a while."

While his USA Eclipse -- along with his dog -- isn't going on the road any time soon, you will be able to catch Will and the rest of Lamb of God on the upcoming Slayer tour, which launches in early May. Learn more about all of our ESP USA Series guitars here!