ESP USA M-III

When ESP's California facility builds a guitar, they're not just assembling components - they're creating instruments that balance visual impact with serious musical functionality. The USA M-III in Tiger Eye Sunburst represents exactly that philosophy: a guitar that commands attention on stage while delivering the versatility modern rock players actually need.

That flame maple top under Tiger Eye Sunburst finish catches stage lights beautifully, but the gold hardware elevates this from merely attractive to genuinely classy. The mahogany body provides the warm resonance and sustain that make single-note lines sing, while the bolt-on quartersawn maple neck adds the brightness and attack that cuts through dense mixes. That extra thin U neck contour strikes the perfect balance - modern and fast without feeling like a baseball bat.

Here's where the M-III really shows its versatility: the Seymour Duncan pickup configuration covers serious tonal ground. Those Stack+ pickups in the neck and middle positions give you noiseless single-coil tones perfect for clean passages and rhythm work, while the '59/Custom Hybrid bridge pickup delivers that perfect balance of vintage warmth and modern aggression. The 5-way switching with push-pull coil-split on the tone control means you can access everything from crystalline Stratocaster-style cleans to crushing humbucker power without switching guitars.

The Gotoh EV510TS tremolo deserves special mention - this isn't just another floating bridge that goes out of tune when you look at it wrong. It provides genuine musical expression while maintaining tuning stability, backed by those Sperzel Trim-Lok tuners that eliminate string slippage. Those 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets feel effortless under your fingers, making complex bends and fast runs feel natural.

At 8 pounds, this guitar has enough mass for sustain without causing shoulder fatigue during long sets. This is American craftsmanship that understands what working musicians need.

Body
Model: USA M-III 2PT
Color: Tiger Eye Sunburst
Top: Flame Maple
Body: Mahogany
Finish: Satin

Neck
Construction: Bolt-On
Fretboard: Ebony
Neck Wood: Quartersawn Maple
Fretboard Radius: 305mm
Nut Width: 43mm
Nut Type: Bone
Neck Contour: Extra Thin U
Frets/Type: 24 XJ Stainless Steel
Scale: 25.5"

Electronics
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Stack+ (neck and middle) and '59/Custom Hybrid (bridge)
Controls: Volume, Tone (push/pull for coil-split)
Pickup Selector: 5-Way Blade Switch

Hardware
Strap Locks: Dunlop Dual Design
Tuners: Sperzel Trim-Lok
Bridge: Gotoh EV510TS Tremolo
Hardware Finish: Gold

Misc.
Case: ESP Black Tolex Deluxe Hardshell
Instrument Weight: 8 lbs