LET'S TALK ABOUT ESP'S SECRET "EPIPHONE KILLER"...

Sign up on ZenMarket with my link and receive 1,000 ZenPoints using my code AGUFISH: zenmarket.jp/en/signup.aspx?a...
➤ The best places to find Grassroots, Edwards, and other Made in Japan guitars
» Digimart www.digimart.net/en/
» Yahoo! Auctions auctions.yahoo.co.jp/list5/22...
» Ishibashi www.ishibashi.co.jp/
» J-Guitar www.j-guitar.com/
» ZenMarket zenmarket.jp/en/showcase/guit...
➤ Bookmark my affiliate link to support the channel 😀
» Sweetwater imp.i114863.net/Yg7aZe
» Thomann www.thomann.de/intl/index.htm...
» Reverb reverb.grsm.io/HunterEngel
➤ Thanks to the awesome Patrons for supporting the channel! Grab bonus extras here / agufish
➤ Connect With Me!
» Social Media linktr.ee/agufish
» Agusquad Discord Server Community / discord
➤ Signal Chain/Get the Gear:
» PRS SE CE24 Standard Satin sweetwater.sjv.io/3e1YVr
» Orange Rockerverb 100 MKIII sweetwater.sjv.io/5gqd9n
» Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Multi-Watt sweetwater.sjv.io/VmmnKk
» Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre Interface sweetwater.sjv.io/5g7MV2
» Dunlop Jazz III Picks amzn.to/1RkYXmn
» Hosa Edge Guitar Cable amzn.to/2JcQbh1
» Jimmy Clips amzn.to/4b1gvV8
➤ Time Stamps
» 0:00 ESP's "Secret" Japan-only Brands
» 4:26 How do we actually get one?
» 8:04 Writing a Demo Track Inspired by the Guitar
» 12:52 Demo Track in a Mix
» 14:33 Final Thoughts (What is going on with ESP's Grassroots brand?)
➤ Start uploading music to iTunes/Amazon/Google Play/Spotify! Get 7% off DistroKid: distrokid.com/vip/agufish
➤ Reverb Store: reverb.com/shop/hunters-gear-...
➤ Gear used to make this video!
» Canon 90D DSLR Camera amzn.to/3qkVhis
» Sony A7SIII Mirrorless Camera amzn.to/3N2apd7
» AmazonBasics Tripod amzn.to/2oKDvT6
» AKG P120 Condenser Microphone amzn.to/2FZ4d1s
» Focusrite Clarett 8Pre amzn.to/33yeXzb
» Hosa Cables amzn.to/2FisH8K
» KHE Amp Switcher bit.ly/3se1cob
All Amazon links are affiliate links
LET'S TALK ABOUT ESP'S SECRET "EPIPHONE KILLER"...

[@agufish]

Sign up on ZenMarket with my link and receive 1,000 ZenPoints using my code AGUFISH: shorturl.at/vFGL1. The exchange rate has gotten even better since I filmed this, just saying... 🤘

[@russellzauner]

quick q, which luthiers/shops/etc got attached for ESP USA? That seems like it would be an interesting story - I mean, Samick bought Valley Arts and I have a couple of their "transition" basses and not only are they great players they look incredible. But there's so much history on the west slice here I've been curious for a while who they ended up with and how the teams assembled/shook out (I've got 3 guitars designed by Mike Lipe, pre-LACS - the Starfield/Heartfield/Prophecy/et al rabbithole is also fairly crazy, Hoshino was going nuts with side projects there for a while, even tandemly building guitars in Japan and USA of the same models and selling them simultaneously in the same tiny catalog, even signing artists like Richie Kotzen). Guess that wasn't quick - sorry lol but thanks for all the work and uploads, they are enjoyable!

[@vinniesworld459]

Grassroots are not exclusive to Japan. You can get them in HK, Taiwan and Singapore through their official distributors or, in the case of China, the ESP CN official store. Also, note that for the Edwards E-LP models starting at the end of 2023, they don't come with Duncans anymore, but rather "Edwards Legacy" pickups.

[@metallixro]

More Japan only market guitars videos pls! :))

[@Fenderman4022]

I got a brand new Edwards off Reverb from Japan. Completely painless, no import duties, and quick shipping. I like it way more than my Gibson LP

[@firdaus125]

I bought an Edwards ELP130CD (basically an LP Custom) brand new where I live. It plays amazingly from the factory. I have not and don't plan to send it for a setup.

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

High Intergrity Grassroots LP!

[@R3dbudd]

They really need to drop EC256 prices. They’ve gone from $450 to $600 in a couple years.

[@macncheesus6221]

400$ scalloped guitar is crazy 😭

[@wyvernx666]

I'd b ALL over that

[@damonwolf7222]

Incredibly VALUABLE information, Hunter! I've been wondering for years how to get my hands on one of these without getting ripped off by overseas scammers. Thank you for this! 🙏

[@retroquest3579]

I have to admit, for someone who does not like single cuts, you almost sold me on this, almost... nice job man :)

[@SocksworthRiffs]

I love my Grassroots LPC, it's hands down one of the best things ever for the price.

[@keithramsay6923]

That thing is smooth like peanut butter and sweet like jelly!

[@flprmn9448]

Great tone, great riffs, great guitar - YOU'RE THE MAN!! Couldn't find a patreon link though!

[@jezmez68]

This is the best ad for anything on KZbin I've ever seen. I normally fastforward through these types of things, but this was very informative!

[@denverrandy7143]

This is great!!!I'm always nervous about buying from overseas

[@roderickvwenner6807]

I own the Edwards John Sykes model. Got it last semester. It’s been my main guitar ever since. I actually put the epiphone prophecy fishmans in it and now it can do anything.

[@andrewcadorette5643]

I have heard about them. I did not know how to purchase them. Thank you!

[@denverrandy7143]

Sounds damn good, brotha!!!👍

[@EscoBlackJosh88]

I can’t wait to see it after the upgrades!!! Love the guitar. ❤

[@mattm121]

Great video, mate

[@nikkialexander2766]

Got my bassist a Grassroots Forest bass imported from Japan for their bday and it’s an insane bass, especially for the $200 I paid for it. From what I heard, the early GrassRoots guitars (from the 90s) are actually made in Japan. The bass I imported doesn’t say where it’s made anywhere, but it’s from that era and it does have that typical MIJ feel…highly recommended.

[@steelhead197]

Subscribed for the Grass Roots! Cheers mate!🇨🇦

[@MarcusW87]

That Zenmarket thing where they do the shopping for you and ship the guitar as well sounds really interesting. Thanks!

[@jollyradtv9941]

GrassRoots and Edward, both made by ESP and thousand times better than any crap Epiphone out there. I have the aged White colored one that looks like Randy Rhoads' 70s Les Paul custom and the weight, playability is out of the world. I paid $475 to get that in mint condition from a guy.

[@aroundtheflatearth2388]

can you recoomend the greco or the burny?

[@jollyradtv9941]

@@aroundtheflatearth2388 if you can get one that is MIJ, then both are equally awesome! I like Les Paul custom version. both brand also makes Strat, Tele as well.

[@RFactor669]

Hunter, this is an awesome trove of info! I’ve always wondered how to get the goods from Japan, this is beyond helpful dude!

[@Blateyy]

Nice! 🤘

[@JahmezFox]

Yo dude, thank you for making this video, my dream guitar is an Edwards E-FV and living in regional Australia it basically seemed impossible to actually own one, now that I know about Zen Market it seems downright inevitable 😬😅 cheers bro 🤘

[@davepatterson4774]

Been thinking about getting one of those or a Blitz made by Aria Pro ii for quite a while, now. Good to know that the bones are legit. Now I'm thinking seriously about one. Good review!

[@markrosenquist8259]

Damn that Navigator!!!😍😍😍🔥🤘🏻

[@user-bb7te4yo3y]

What software you use for those drums mate? They sound so dope!

[@user-sc6vy3tc1g]

grassroots also do bangdream guitars under the bangdream logo， these are actually grassroots branded，specs and quality wise

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

I have an Edwards guitar. Bought it on Buyee and imported it straight from Japan.

[@dbecker33]

I sold my Edwards ES 335 a while back…slightly regret it. 😂

[@dominicclarke2696]

Only slightly??

[@ZorroTheWevile]

Wow, kind of funny, that demo track was actually pretty good!

[@agufish]

haha I thought it turned out really well, actually! Good guitars bring out the riffs 🤘

[@SeanMusicFreak]

The demo track reminded me a lot of early era Scale the Summit.

[@sacreddangermoose5260]

Hunter, if you ever get a chance to play an esp Sugizo signature, do it. Trust me.

[@timwhite5562]

I bought an Edwards ALS135 a decade ago to put on a Bigsby, instead of drilling into my Gibson. I paid $700 (used). It's an all-lacquer finish, I think they discontinued it a while ago. Came with Duncan Antiquities, Bournes pots, switchcraft switch and Jack, paper in oil tone caps, long neck tenon. It was lighter even though it wasn't weight relieved than my Traditional that was, and much more resonant. I never installed the Bigsby, sold the Gibson a few years ago and bought an S2 McCarty. I still play the Edwards far more than the PRS. *Never quite understood the lacquer taste thing. Whether you like nitro because you feel it sounds better, or you like the way it ages and wears out is kind of moot. They shoot it over the urethane. So if anything it has a heavier finish, and when it wears down there's just another coat under it that likely never will. The tops come kind of hazy, solid finishes are like a matte. Honestly I don't see any reason to get over the standard polyurethane finish. It's a thinner finish and it looks better.

[@cinnamonoa]

just for a mod projects this is really cool

[@robertsole9970]

I have a ESP Eclipse from the Japanese custom shop and a 1998 R8 historic Les paul reissue. They sound very different from each other but both sound great. The ESP has active Seymour Duncan’s on it. I also have a ESP Lynch Kamikaze 1 from Japan too.

[@TheWelhaven]

I played a 80s Navigator S-style for a few years. Great guitar. Just bought a Japanese import E-II horizon in amethyst sparkle with Fishmans.

[@Parcolai]

I got to try the Grass Root Brand last year. I tried the Tele model. Better than a squier! Much better. And the neck finish is nice.

[@wyvernx666]

I have a question, are there any LP build guitars that come with a dual way floyd rose? i know it's a super undesirable mod for a lot of people but i really wanf to try either a LP or V with a dual way whammy. My other axes are already fixed bridges so I want to try something new.

[@paula1543]

What are your thoughts on the new Squier Debut Stratocaster (Amazon Exclusive) ? Would love to see an unboxing/ review on your channel.

[@chief9875]

Well, iam interested. But kinda worried about shipping from Zenmarket to Czech Republic. Any reviews or smth like that please ?

[@greggriffiths9053]

I picked up one of those with p90 pick ups set neck as well good guitar.

[@he11bent6]

I have 4 Edwards and 3 Grassroots. Love them

[@Cletusrazorburn]

I got my pink sawtooth from Kurosawa a few months back and it arrived in 2 days and without issue. I love it!

[@kevinsullivanTCR]

This is so sick, love the black and pink, and the fingerboard looks super nice!

[@murasame3508]

I tried to import and Edwards Alexi in Pink to Germany and the customs said this is not in compliance with regulations and send it back. Luckily I managed to find one used in Germany for a reasonable price a few months later. Best guitar I ever played. I onw a Grass Roots LP custom in red. Besides 2 high frets its amazing. After I got it fixed it became one of my favourites. Also own the Pink Snapper 7 form Edwards and it also amazing. ESP just doesn't miss.

[@mofomartianp]

I live in Denmark and Customs is awful here as well.

[@davidstargle5123]

I've got an early ish Grassroots 60's LP standard lefty and it absolutely kills anything Epiphone offers and I'd put it up against Gibson or any other LP style, I did get it used tho, so bridge may have been replaced but the tuners, pickups all that was great in mine, holds tune much better than any Gibson I've played ...ever. I did swap pickups to some nice alnico 2 humbuckers and it is as good as anything else you can get Left handed.

[@GuitARPlayr100]

I actually just bought that Edwards Alexi pink sawtooth 2 weeks ago. Got from Japan to the US in less than 36 hours. I bought it from a Japanese music store on reverb, but I'll definitely check out zen market next time I decide to order something from Japan.

[@garycoates4987]

I have two 80s Greco/Roland synth controller guitars , Greco is also under the radar ,I can't say enough about the Japanese guitar brand quality Even when you find the budget level import Japan based guitars , if you want a vintage strat for example snag an 80s Greco or one of the Yamaha strat copies

[@christosfragias592]

Great review. Thank you. Are Grass Roots manufactured in Japan? 🤘🎸🎸🤘

[@KevinTheMetalhead]

They’re made in either Korea or China I think

[@akashvasishtha3519]

That Sum 41 riff 😭💓

[@MayonnaiseOreo]

That's not Sum 41. Lmao. It's SR-71.

[@crazyfurcow]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@MayonnaiseOreo The opening riff is clearly still waiting by sum 41. Lmao

[@MayonnaiseOreo]

@@crazyfurcow Whoops. I accidentally skipped past the intro. Lmao.

[@crazyfurcow]

@@MayonnaiseOreo😂

[@maidenthe80sla]

ESP made my 86-87 Kramer American Pacer and is a great guitar at 37 years old (original owner).

[@davidbrauner6640]

i one just like it , but i cant find one in the links you gave.... can someone with experience help ?

[@BrokenStrings231]

Looks like such a sick guitar. It sounds well.

[@jerrodwatts55]

ive decided i like you brother. good perceptions...youre pretty rad

[@MrAjCalderon]

Would American made hardware fit on this model? Might have to get one for a mod project. Keep us updated! Edit: also does the Edwards come with high quality hardware and electronics?

[@thelolguy007]

My Edwards is one of my favourite guitars. Amazing

[@HeathenRenegade]

When I was in Japan, Grassroots guitars were absolutely everywhere. By comparison, Epiphone, for example, was almost rare to see (almost). I was even surprised to find that lower end ESP LTD guitars were nowhere to be seen most of the time. The only guitar I had while i was there was a Grassroots I got for about 200 bucks, and it honestly competed around the 600-ish range here (other than the pickups, which were not stock anyway)

[@shawndunlap714]

I don't think I've heard of the grass roots but you told me about the Edwards, I want that pink flame top 😁😄😃😀

[@alijankhan3330]

You can use package forwarding to buy stuff from Japan that they may not normally sell to international customers.

[@nieko3038]

Nice. Why do these guitars and Burny’s get away with the headstock? Don’t know about shippingcost. Usually quite high from Japan.

[@Masterfighterx]

I had a bolt on Grass Roots MX-250, wasn't very good, not sure if it could've been corrected, but the high e was off the edge of the fretboard at the highest frets..

[@greg24hoareau]

One of my friend had the same issue with his grassroots explorer...He ended filing another notch on the tune o matic. I used to own grassroots Kirk Hammett kh and it was kind od really great... For me Grassroots was the former LTD guitars...

[@BrianKDey-gs5uh]

The only got pink guitar I would ever be willing to own is an LP in this set up. Triple bound w/b/w good hardware black plastic. I would tap the coils though and add two overdrive circuits to a mini toggle though to get that iron tusk sound

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

Holy Moly ESP gives full throttle 🛸👍...siiiick 😂..grass roots braaaah 🔥👏👏👏😄..if it sounds good it is good 👍

[@benjaminnelsonguitars2134]

I was in Japan recently and managed to come across a grassroots T style guitar. The fret job alone was worth the price they were asking for imo.

[@Holtenstein]

What does Japan have for amps?

[@Cookie4yabro]

ESP uses the highest quality fretwire and really makes sure they are well polished. Even on the Grass Roots model

[@timlaine6268]

A have an Edwards and a Grassroots. Although the hardware and pickups are mediocre on the Grassroots it competes well with Epiphone. The Edwards is an very nice guitar.

[@1thess523]

My son and I play Greco from 1979 and 1980's, Japan is where it's at

[@JohnWiku]

AGU!!! When HB baritone sig!!

[@SGOTTI666]

My apocalypse as the go to riff nice

[@AgentDwang]

20:55 cheeky ac/dc big balls intro

[@lesnacke]

I just ask the shops, like kurosawagakki happen to have a reverb store so just ask them directly. Other shops like ishibashi also ship internationally

[@EpicJamTracks]

Nice color!

[@hardstones17]

I plan to look at ESP's when I am in Japan for 3 weeks! I intend to leave with a full on one. I have always dreamt of owning something with the real ESP on the headstock! The Stream-GTs really have my eyes.

[@Ninjakutsueki]

Living in JP, I've been walking right past Navigators and Grass Roots so thank you for the info 😂!

[@wokedragon3211]

Great guitars if you can get one into the country

[@j7cc]

Thanks, 😁👌🎸🎶

[@benjamingirard1984]

Bruuuuhh....I knew about Edwards and Navigator, but not that one! Thanks!! There are many on Ebay coming from Japan! Even if many of them are used, the prices are great! I don't mind modifying a cheap guitar if the body's great.

[@downfallofmankind]

Grassroots actually is quite popular in the South East Asia region, where the lower GDP = more difficulty accessing the big-name brands. Insanely high value-per-dollar instruments.

[@Broccoli_Highkicks]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of import duties do you pay in the States for this kind of stuff? Because the rates here in the EU are highway robbery...

[@user-zu8bd9ik9t]

I love my grassroots lp ♡

[@BushidoPhoto]

Have you played a Gretsch or Fender?

[@rindred]

You might want to make sure your nut slots are clean and lubricated with graphite - that much tuning makes me think the strings are getting caught up. And always stretch your strings!

[@kidcaveman6961]

Looks sick

[@grahamallen8363]

What's your thoughts on Craig "Goonzi"Gowans from Scotlands mighty, Bleed From Within now he's an ESP/LTD artist?

[@CryptToneMusic]

Have you seen the 400 dollar carbon fiber single cut travel guitar? I don't care about the built in FX and speaker but a carbon fiber super durable humidity proof guitar for 400 bucks seems awesome

[@reillez1981]

Esp Edwards e-cy-165 ctm ive been looking for years but unable to find one 😢

[@nh8781]

@agufish Bro got a haircut between start and end of video😆. I thought there's something wrong with my eyes

[@jeffsupple9078]

I can’t find this guitar. It doesn’t come up on zen market. I must be doing something wrong

[@WyldeStarrTheWexican]

I've yet to play a Grassroots model I didn't like the feel of .... upgrade the nut & tuners, good to go.

[@schenker7559]

I have two Grass Roots Standard style guitars in my collection. One is a brown sunburst, which reminds me of Joe Bonamassa's "Willy Wonka", which has a pretty small neck. The other is cherry sunburst, and it's neck is much more like my USA Gibsons. My Gibsons will always win, for me, but, I like these so much that I sold my Epiphones. I actually take one of them to gigs, as a backup, instead of risking another very expensive Gibson.

[@cope847]

All of the Japanese Gibson knockoffs seem to be great guitars. I have a lower end Burny Les Paul custom. The hardware and electronics were kinda trash so I had to switch all of that out. Its a great guitar though. Almost indistinguishable from a real Gibson.

[@southernpanda33]

Let’s talk about that color-way and is it available left handed?

[@MrNinfofan]

Collective Soul 🤘

[@lukecowley4949]

Only thing is at least for the UK is the import fees are crazy

[@KanoKnife]

I bought an edwards amaze bass, used zenmarket and it was very cheap but customs in México fucked me up. Anywst I love my bass.

[@Soldano999]

I heard about Grass Eoots when i bought my Burny X Japan signature but they seemed so cheap i didn't know how hood they were.

[@SoundAloneband]

I was just in Japan and played a ton of grassroots and edwards. They are awesome. They also are better qc then the American ltd guitars. Japan is very very precision and quality focused people. I should have bought them and kick myself now. Some of those guitars were $300-400 us and were perfect quality guitars. Japan is a totally different place man. I want to move there. They just do everything better.