ESP LTD CS-II/QM/VINTAGE NAT guitar
Description
ESP LTD CS-II/QM/VINTAGE NAT Caleb Shomo Signature Guitar
The CS-II/QM/VINTAGE NAT is a neck-thru design engineered for recording clarity and sustained resonance, with a thin u-shaped mahogany neck that sits naturally in the hand and a 25.5" scale that balances reach with playability. The figured quilted maple top in Vintage Natural finish delivers visual depth while maintaining structural rigidity, and the 350mm fingerboard radius pairs with 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets to support both lead tracking and chordal playing without dead spots. This is Caleb Shomo's signature model, designed to capture the technical precision demanded by modern metalcore and progressive production sessions.
Playability & Build Quality for Recording Sessions
The neck-thru-body construction with mahogany wings and three-piece thin u-shaped neck provides superior resonance and sustain—critical for layering tracks and achieving separation in dense mixes. The 350mm fretboard radius and extra-jumbo stainless steel frets accommodate aggressive playing techniques and precise intonation across the entire range, enabling consistent takes without tuning drift, while the Macassar ebony fingerboard resists wear and demands minimal maintenance across extended session days.
Tone & Signal Path
The Seymour Duncan Custom 14 humbucker at the bridge delivers aggression and definition with its splittable push-pull control for tonal versatility within a single session, while the Seymour Duncan STR-3 Quarter Pound at the neck offers articulation and clarity without sacrificing body—ideal for punch-through rhythm tones and lead definition in the mix. The Gotoh bridge and locking tailpiece mechanism ensure rock-solid tuning stability and intonation retention even under intense playing conditions, eliminating re-tuning downtime between takes.
Key Features
- Neck-thru-body design with mahogany body wings and three-piece thin u-shaped mahogany neck
- 25.5" scale length with 350mm fretboard radius
- Figured quilted maple top in Vintage Natural finish
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets
- Seymour Duncan Custom 14 humbucker (bridge) with splittable push-pull control
- Seymour Duncan STR-3 Quarter Pound humbucker (neck)
- Gotoh bridge and locking tailpiece mechanism
- Six-in-line locking tuners on reversed headstock
- Black bone nut (43mm width), gold hardware, black binding on body/neck/headstock
- Brushed black pickguard
- Includes ESP hardshell form-fit case and D'Addario XL110-7 strings
- Weight: 3.20 kg
The CS-II/QM combines professional-grade hardware, hand-finished details, and a signature pickup configuration that delivers modern metal aggression alongside the tonal precision required for focused studio tracking and mix-ready performance.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Neck Construction | Neck-Thru-Body |
| Country of Manufacture | South Korea |
Reviews
At a Glance
The ESP LTD CS-II/QM is a 7-string session instrument that captures aggressive bridge tone and articulate neck clarity in one package—the splittable bridge humbucker and neck Quarter Pound design let you layer tight, punchy rhythm tracks or snap out precise lead lines without rerecording. Neck-thru construction and 25.5" scale deliver tight sustain and intonation stability across takes, making it ideal for producers and engineers tracking metalcore, progressive, and djent material in the box.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metalcore
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Djent
- ✓ Studio Sessions
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Country
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level is this guitar suited for?
The CS-II/QM is built for intermediate through professional players who thrive on technical playing and modern heavy music. The 350mm fretboard radius, extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, and 25.5" scale support both complex lead work and chordal precision without dead spots.
What genres does this guitar excel in?
This signature model is engineered for metalcore, progressive metal, djent, and studio sessions. The aggressive Custom 14 bridge humbucker and articulate STR-3 Quarter Pound neck pickup deliver the tonal definition and aggression those styles demand.
How does the splittable bridge pickup work?
The Seymour Duncan Custom 14 humbucker features a push-pull control that splits the coil, giving you single-coil clarity and brightness when engaged—useful for tonal variety in recording or live situations without swapping guitars.
What's included with the guitar?
The CS-II/QM ships with an ESP hardshell form-fit case and a set of D'Addario XL110-7 strings, so you're ready to play out of the box.
How does the neck-thru design affect sustain and playability?
The mahogany neck-thru body with thin u-shaped profile minimizes neck dive, maximizes resonance and sustain, and sits naturally in the hand for comfortable extended playing. Gotoh hardware and locking tuners lock in pitch stability even under intense playing conditions.
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