(ARCHIVE) Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997

Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997
Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature Silver 1997

Edwards HEJ-100, all silver all the time, made in Japan circa 1997. Edwards is the vintage-style division of ESP, mostly offerings Fender and Gibson style models sold on the Japan domestic market. In the earlier days of the brand in the 90s, they did a lot of signature models, including this bizarre beast. Hitoki played the bass for iconic visual kei band Kuroyume, who's manic offerings span everything from black metal to thrash punk to sugary pop. They were absolutely massive in Japan and abroad in their day. It's a cool Jag-style offset alder body with a full 34" scale neck, painted head to foot in silver and equipped with three JB-style single coil pickups. By default you only get one volume knob and that's it, but us being ruthless pragmatists, we had our tech add some mini off/on switches for each pickup. All three pickups on has a particular tone, but any combination of two sounds better to my ear. The neck pickup is dark and thick, like a rounder take on a P bass, while the bridge pickup is pretty close to the saddles so it's very aggressive heap heaps of attack and cut. The middle pickup adds a sensible balance to either of the others, so you dial a bunch of fun tones easily enough. The neck is comfy, quick and akin to a Jazz Bass, and paired with the lightweight body this feels really alive and integrous in the hands. The all silver all over finish looks funny in the shop but will surely look fabulous on stage. If C-3PO had a bass...

Model: Edwards HEJ-100 Hitoki Signature
Made: Japan, 1997 approx (serial 26859)
Finish: silver metallic, gloss poly
Body: alder
Neck: maple, maple board, 12" radius, 34" scale
Weight: 3.990kg
Mods: pickup on/off switches installed
Pickups: EJ-1B single coil x3
Case: none

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some chips on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has widespread dimples, scuffs and rub wear, no major marks. There's a little crack between the electronics cavity and the jack, but it's not a structural concern and isn't moving around at all. The sides have minor dimples around the whole body and some minor dents near the jack. The front has rub wear around the bridge and elbow area, some dents near the switches, some dimples along the back edge and around the pickups and some standard play wear on the horns. Overall: very good condition (7.5/10).

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets have minor wear only; 8/10 for fret life left. All electrics tested and working properly. Set up with fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.

This listing is an archived entry. We love to look back and remember fondly what characters we've had through the store, so we keep them around for reference.