Head to head
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II Gun Metallic Black vs ESP E-II Horizon HT-II Granite Sparkle
The verdict
The ESP E-II Horizon HT-II Granite Sparkle comes out ahead overall — 82 to 79 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II Gun Metallic Black wins on
No standout advantage.
ESP E-II Horizon HT-II Granite Sparkle wins on
- Better build (97 vs 87)
- Lower price ($3,099 vs $3,249)
Scorecard
| Metric | E-II Horizon FR-II Gun Metallic Black | E-II Horizon HT-II Granite Sparkle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 79 | 82 |
| Build | 87 | 97 |
| Playability | 81 | 81 |
| Sound | 74 | 74 |
| Value | 69 | 72 |
Full specifications
| Spec | E-II Horizon FR-II Gun Metallic Black | E-II Horizon HT-II Granite Sparkle |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | 3Pc Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | EMG 89R Brushed Black Chrome Direct-Mount / EMG 81 Brushed Black Chrome Direct-Mount | Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico 3-Voice Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) / Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic 3-Voice Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,249 | $3,099 |
| Bridge | Gotoh Locking | Hipshot Fixed w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 81 Brushed Black Chrome Direct-Mount | Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic 3-Voice Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) |
| Case | MH GUITAR FORM FIT CASE | MH GUITAR FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | Y | Y |
| Construction | Set-Thru | Neck-Thru |
| Controls | Master Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone/Toggle Switch | Master Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch |
| Finish | Gun Metallic Black | Granite Sparkle |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 305mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black |
| Neck pickup | EMG 89R Brushed Black Chrome Direct-Mount | Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico 3-Voice Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Locking | Bone |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | ESP Strap Lock |
| Top wood | Maple | — |
| Tuners | Grover | Gotoh Locking |