In the guitar industry, ESP (Electric Sound Products) is synonymous with exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and great sound.
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ESP History
ESP company was founded by Hisatake Shibuya, who was born in 1937 in Sado, a small island located in Japan.
After completing his graduation from Doshina University in 1961, Shibuya began his career with Kawai, a guitar manufacturing company. Later, he joined Yamaha and Fernandes, where he gained valuable experience in guitar manufacturing.
In 1975, Shibuya started his own company in Tokyo, which initially had only three employees. The company primarily focused on guitar repairs and the production of guitar parts.
Additionally, the company made custom guitars, tailored to meet individual customers’ needs and specifications. The sale of the custom-built guitars was a massive success, leading to an increase in demand.
Consequently, ESP moved its production facilities to a larger location outside Tokyo to cater to the growing demand.
ESP’s business continued to grow, and in 1979, it began taking orders for customized guitars worldwide.
In 1981, ESP established its presence in the US with an office in New York, and two years later, it entered the German market, opening an office in the country for distribution across Europe.
In 1983, Shibuya launched a guitar-making school, and several graduates landed jobs at ESP.
ESP had several hundred employees at that time, but its workforce increased after the opening of a new plant on Sado Island in 1986. ESP has been producing top-quality guitars ever since, with their quality recognized globally. The company’s commitment to producing high-quality guitars has helped it maintain its position as one of the most innovative and successful guitar brands in the world.
In 1985, the heavy metal band Dokken’s George Lynch discovered ESP during a tour in Japan. Lynch’s interest in the company led to the creation of the ESP Kamikaze, which became Lynch’s first signature model. The ESP Kamikaze’s success has continued to this day, and it remains one of the company’s most iconic guitars.
In 1990, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett visited the ESP Custom Shop with the idea of building a model based on the mysterious “Ouija” board game.
The first version was for Kirk only but had two spelling errors.
Instead of “WILLIAM FULD TALKING BOARD,” the Ouija body of this first version reads “WILLIAM FUED TALKING BAARD SET“.
In 1993, ESP released the first batch of Ouija guitars with Kirk Hammett’s signature, which were neck-thru and initially intended for the Japanese market. Later on, the Ouija model became available as a Bolt On guitar and was officially introduced for export in 1995.
ESP gained notoriety by crafting guitars for renowned metal guitarists such as James Hetfield (Metallica), Scott Ian (Anthrax), and Jeff Hanneman (Slayer). As a result, ESP has become one of the most popular providers of heavy metal guitars.
In 1996, the LTD series was produced in Korea (later also in Indonesia, China, and Vietnam) to reduce costs, and the export of Japan-made LTD guitars to the USA ceased. Nonetheless, ESP resumed exporting the Japanese series to the USA in the early 2000s, despite the increased prices.
The top-quality ESP guitars are still made in the ESP factory in Japan, while the more affordable LTD line is manufactured in different locations throughout Asia.
ESP’s popularity and demand continue to rise, and in 2014, a new factory was established in North Hollywood, CA, USA, close to the new Los Angeles headquarters. This is where the ESP USA line is produced and added to the existing well-known series of ESP, as well as the LTD and E-II series.
Today ESP operates factories in both Japan and the United States, with two primary facilities in Tokyo and North Hollywood, California.
ESP Japan Factory: Tokyo
The home factory in Tokyo is where ESP’s journey began. It’s here that ESP’s high-end and custom guitars come to life, crafted by the hands of highly trained and passionate luthiers.
In June 1981, a factory was opened in the Toshima-ku district of Tokyo.
In March 1982, a manufacturing facility was opened in Nagoya.
In December of the same year, the ESP Crafts House was opened in Shibuya, Tokyo.
In April 1983, the “Japan Guitar Production Academy” was opened to train guitar manufacturing technicians and repair specialists.
In 1985, the Nagoya facility moved to Kiso, Nagano.
In April 1986, a factory with an area of about 6,600 square meters opened in Sado-Ryotsu, Niigata.
In June 2008, the Tokyo facility relocated to Saitama Tokyo factory.
In September 2012, the Saitama Sado factory relocated to the new Tokyo second factory.
The process of manufacturing starts with selecting the perfect tonewoods for the guitar bodies and necks. ESP often uses mahogany, alder, ash, maple, and exotic woods like ebony, depending upon the specific sound characteristics they aim to achieve.
The wood is carefully shaped into guitar bodies and necks using advanced CNC machines. But the work doesn’t end there. The raw cut bodies are sanded and smoothed by hand, ensuring a perfect finish. ESP’s dedication to handwork shines through in the finishings of their guitars. Lacquer finishes are applied by hand, layer by layer.
The factory also houses a special custom shop where world-renowned artists come to have their signature models created.
Original series and Custom Shop ESPs are handcrafted in Japan while the Standard Series are factory-made in Japan.
ESP USA Factory: North Hollywood, California
The ESP USA Series shop opened in North Hollywood, California in 2014. This facility crafts instruments that continue ESP’s tradition of excellent guitar building with instruments that are 100% Made in the USA.
These guitars maintain the high-quality craftsmanship that ESP is known for while incorporating some American guitar building traditions.
Guitars are designed using 3D software and then cut using CNC machines for precision. But much like their Japanese counterparts, the craftsmen in the North Hollywood factory follow up machine work with hand-finishings.
The North Hollywood factory also offers unique customizations, allowing musicians to tailor their guitars to their preferences. Be it the choice of tonewood, the type of pickups, or the color and finish of the guitar, the North Hollywood factory delivers.
The most distinctive aspect of the California factory is perhaps its pickup winding operation. ESP decided to wind their own pickups, giving them greater control over the tone and output of their guitars. This operation adds another layer of customization available to their customers.
ESP LTD Factories: Korea, Indonesia, China
In 1996, ESP introduced the LTD line, a series of guitars manufactured in South Korea and Indonesia, offering high-quality ESP designs at a more accessible price point. The LTD series has become incredibly popular for its balance between affordability and performance.
Korea
World Musical Instrument Co. Ltd, Korea. This is where the higher-end LTD guitars, like the 1000 series, are manufactured.
Korean factories are known for producing instruments of professional quality with excellent craftsmanship.
Indonesia
The Indonesian factories make mid-range LTD models, such as the 401 series. These guitars are designed to offer a balance between affordability and quality, providing good craftsmanship at a lower price point than the Korean-made instruments.
China
In March 1992, ESP-CHINA was founded in western China, Heilongjiang.
The Chinese factories produce the most affordable LTD models, including beginner guitars like the EC-10. While these are the most budget-friendly, ESP ensures they still meet a standard of quality that represents the brand.
ESP is constantly innovating and developing both electric and acoustic guitar models to keep up with the changing demands of the industry.