Edwards E-LP-85S LP Standard style, made in Japan around 2001, gold top. Edwards is a division of ESP Guitars. These days they largely offer Fender and Gibson style models to the domestic Japan market. Closer to their launch in the mid 1990s, they were mostly doing production model versions of artist signature guitars by ESP, but around the turn of the millennia they were doing a little bit of both. This is a pre-serial example of their very well renowned LP-style offerings, late enough to have a pair of Duncan pickups but early enough to still have the 'by Navigator' truss cover. First up: it's heavy, weighing in at 5kg. It's got a '59 style fat round neck too, so it's not exactly the perfect guitar for doing backflips on stage while delivering your best Malmsteen solos. But, it's rewarding in a different way: the thing sounds enormous. It's thick and assured, with a walloping midrange, singing sustain and plenty of breathy clarity. The gold top is rich and deep in colour and detail; it's a worthy take on the classic '57 aesthetic. There's a lot to enjoy here, I find it to be very worthwhile indeed.

Model: Edawrds E-LP-85S
Made: Japan, 2001 approx, ESP plant (no serial on this model)
Finish: gold top, brown back/sides/neck, gloss poly
Neck: mahogany, rosewood board, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, beefy '58 style shape
Body: mahogany, maple cap
Weight: 5.000kg
Mods: tuners replaced, tone capacitors replaced
Pickups: Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB and SH-1 '59 humbucker x2
Case: basic non-original bag

Cosmetic condition notes: The headstock has some marks from the last set of tuners, as well as some dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor scuffs on the back only. The back has some minor chips on the edge near the cavity, as well as a pair of dents near the switch cavity and some widespread minor dimples and scuffs. The sides have some scuffs on the top horn and elbow area and some dimples near the jack. The front has a decent chip on the back edge near the rear strap pin, minor scuffs arounds the knobs and in the elbow area and some play wear on the horns. Overall: very good condition (7.5/10).

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.