Edwards Flying Nighthawk Vanishing Starlight Noël 2021
Edwards Flying Nighthawk, made in Japan 2021. This might be the most Japanese thing I've ever seen in my life. First: it's a signature model for a fictional lead singer, Noël, from a fantasy band, Vanishing Starlight. The band exists inside Japanese composer Revo's ongoing project called Sound Horizon, which does mixed media concept albums, produces animated stories and delivers wild live fantasy rock opera type extravaganzas. Anyway, in the videos for the Vanishing Starlight songs, the singer is playing this guitar, and the magicians around at ESP are undaunted by building wild guitars, so these were made for a year or so in limited numbers as an Edwards production model. The finish is wild but well executed, and the details like the fretboard inlay, control plate and 29-fret neck make for a super cool aesthetic. The pickup sounds great, it's crunchy and delicious and cleans up better than you might expect. The body is a little thicker than a Gibson V, although still lightweight, and with the bolt-on neck, it balances pretty nicely and is a little less awkward than many other V style guitars. Is it completely bananas? Of course. Is it awesome? Absolutely.
Model: Edwards Flying Nighthawk Vanishing Starlight Noël
Made: Japan, 2021, ESP factory
Serial: ED212728
Finish: blue flame
Body: alder
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, 42mm nut
Weight: 3.715kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB humbucker
Accessories: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has no major marks. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear on the back only. The back has minor scuffs along the top edge. The sides have minor dimples along the bass edge. The front has dimples near the knobs and some play wear around the strings.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 9/10, minor wear only