Head to head
ESP E-II Horizon NT-7B Hipshot Black Satin vs ESP XJ-2 Ht Snow White
The verdict
The ESP XJ-2 Ht Snow White comes out ahead overall — 84 to 80 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP E-II Horizon NT-7B Hipshot Black Satin wins on
No standout advantage.
ESP XJ-2 Ht Snow White wins on
- Better sound (77 vs 68)
- Better value (81 vs 70)
- Lower price ($1,699 vs $2,626)
Scorecard
| Metric | E-II Horizon NT-7B Hipshot Black Satin | XJ-2 Ht Snow White |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 84 |
| Build | 97 | 97 |
| Playability | 81 | 78 |
| Sound | 68 | 77 |
| Value | 70 | 81 |
Full specifications
| Spec | E-II Horizon NT-7B Hipshot Black Satin | XJ-2 Ht Snow White |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Alder | Swamp Ash |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | 3Pc Roasted Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Macassar Ebony |
| Strings | 7 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 27" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | EMG 85-7H Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount / EMG 81-7H Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount | Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Alnico Brushed Stainless *(Pull Volume for Voice 3) / Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Ceramic Brushed Stainless *(Pull Volume for Voice 3) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $2,626 | $1,699 |
| Bridge | Hipshot Fixed w/ String Thru | Hipshot w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 81-7H Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount | Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Ceramic Brushed Stainless *(Pull Volume for Voice 3) |
| Case | MH XL Guitar Form Fit Case | XJ GUITAR FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | Y | N |
| Construction | Neck-Thru | Bolt-On |
| Controls | Active | Master Volume(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch |
| Finish | Black Satin | Snow White |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 350mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black |
| Neck pickup | EMG 85-7H Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount | Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Alnico Brushed Stainless *(Pull Volume for Voice 3) |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Bone | Black Bone |
| Nut width | 48mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 27" Baritone | 25.5" |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | Standard |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | LTD Locking |