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ESP Explorer 'Elk Skull'

A replica of the ESP Explorer 'Elk Skull' made by Ed Roman On the body is an elk skull graphic and on its headstock a barbed wire graphic which were both made by Dino Murdian. It has the 4-M-star logo burnt on the back.

The replica you can see on the right side was made by Ed Roman.

  • Model: ESP EXP
  • Color: Black
  • Inlays: Barbed Wire
  • Pickups: EMG-60n, EMG-81b humbucker
  • Hardware: 2 volume controls
  • Graphic (body): Woodburned Elk Skull
  • Graphic (headstock): Barbed Wire
  • Back: 4-M logo wood burning
  • Can be seen: "Cunning Stunts" ("So What"), "The Memory Remains" - video

    First time used live: "Load" gigs. Still used live


    James' ESP Explorers in general:
    They are all based upon the standard ESP EXP serie and were built or overseen by Matt Masciandaro. Meanwhile the EXP serie has been replaced by the ESP EX standard serie which has a sharp shape for its ends and headstock instead of the old EXP serie which was comparable to the rounded shape of the Gibson Explorers.

    The difference between the EXP model and James' Explorers:
    In difference between James' Explorers and the standard ESP EXP serie, James guitars have set-necks (glued joint) instead of bolt-on necks. Besides the "Black Album" guitars' fingerboards consist of ebony instead of rosewood.

    Identic to the EXP model:
    The body consists of mahogany, the neck of maple and the fingerboard (with its 22XJ [XJ=extra jumbo] frets) of rosewood. All hardware (the tune-o-matic bridge, the stop piece and tuners) is black. It has one volume control for each pickup.


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