scottosan
Well-known member
For all of you that follow Japanese guitars, you know the deal. Those that don’t know the deal, Navigator is ESPs line for vintage spec guitars. It’s their top tier label and no corners are cut on their highest offering. I haven’t owned a custom shop Gibson since before my 13 year old was born. I owned an R7, (3) R8s, and an R9. I did the dumb and responsible thing as sold all of my gear at that time. I have been wanting a Japanese LP custom since I got here but limited to some beat up mid tier Greco and Tokai.
So, I take the kids out to our favorite 2nd hand mega store that carries everything and happens to carry guitars. I saw this guitar last week, but it was up in a raised glass case and expensive. Today they were have a “Hyper Sale”. I first look at a Les Paul standard for $1300 and I would have bought it had I not looked at the Navigator. It was marked at ¥297000 after tax which is about $1880. These Navigator customs come is 3 levels 280, 380, and 480 being the top tier at a whopping ¥748000 which is about $4757. This one is the 480.
https://espguitars.co.jp/product/5854/
Specs are as follow:
The nitro is very thin. I am certain it’s flamed maple underneath, as I can see the fine wavy ripples under the paint in just the right angle.
The guitar is in excellent condition. I’m the pictures you can see the plastic film on the truss cover and rear cavities. There’s a little oxidation on the gold, but zero fret wear. It’s me first time trying the Seth lovers, and I like them better than the Wizz or Tom Holmes PAFs that I’ve tried. Very warm and musical and hold up under high gain pretty good for an unpotted pickup.
So, I take the kids out to our favorite 2nd hand mega store that carries everything and happens to carry guitars. I saw this guitar last week, but it was up in a raised glass case and expensive. Today they were have a “Hyper Sale”. I first look at a Les Paul standard for $1300 and I would have bought it had I not looked at the Navigator. It was marked at ¥297000 after tax which is about $1880. These Navigator customs come is 3 levels 280, 380, and 480 being the top tier at a whopping ¥748000 which is about $4757. This one is the 480.
https://espguitars.co.jp/product/5854/
Specs are as follow:
| BODY | (Top) Hard Maple(Back) Honduras Mahogany w/Laminate Binding (Thickness 60mm) |
|---|---|
| NECK | Honduras Mahogany |
| GRIP SHAPE | Thick U |
| FINGERBOARD | Ebony w/White Binding |
| RADIUS | 305R |
| SCALE | 624mm |
| NUT | Unbleached Bone (43mm) |
| FRET | JESCAR FW47104-NS, 22frets |
| INLAY | Pearl Block |
| CONSTRUCTION | Set-neck (deep joint) Long tenon |
| TUNER | GOTOH SG301-04 |
| PICKUPS | (Neck) Seymour Duncan Seth Lover SH-55n (Bridge) Seymour Duncan Seth Lover SH-55b |
| CONTROLS | Neck Volume & Tone, Bridge Volume & Tone, Toggle PU Selector |
| BRIDGE | Vintage type TUNE-MATIC & GOTOH GE101A |
| FINISH | Nitro Lacquer |
The nitro is very thin. I am certain it’s flamed maple underneath, as I can see the fine wavy ripples under the paint in just the right angle.
The guitar is in excellent condition. I’m the pictures you can see the plastic film on the truss cover and rear cavities. There’s a little oxidation on the gold, but zero fret wear. It’s me first time trying the Seth lovers, and I like them better than the Wizz or Tom Holmes PAFs that I’ve tried. Very warm and musical and hold up under high gain pretty good for an unpotted pickup.
