N4 ESA Spotted

Pwalo · August 2015

I think a fellow forumite was looking for one a while ago. I was in my local emporium today purchasing a tele when I spotted this. If I'd got the necessary it would have been coming home...

It's an N4 ESA Special Edition, aluminium case, cert, signed backplate, totally mint. £1050

Sassafras · August 2015

I'm not a shredder and I rarely use a trem but I've always liked these and I'm not even sure why. They're so different to what I normally go for.

Nunogilberto · August 2015

As Nuno is one of my idols, I want to love one of these; I really do. But I simply can't get on with Floyds...

hubobulous · August 2015

N4 neck is hands down one of the best ever. The whole N4 package is top class

stonevibe · August 2015

Just such a small guitar body.

I looked like and felt like a giant playing a ukulele when I owned mine.

SquireJapan · August 2015

stonevibe;727286" said:
Just such a small guitar body.

I looked like and felt like a giant playing a ukulele when I owned mine.

Exactly why I moved mine on

Same with the Ibanez Satriani guitars as well, they look tiny on me.

hubobulous · August 2015

@Stonevibe and @SquireJapan - if you cut your legs off beneath the knee, you'd have the advantage of both the N4 and JS looking perfect for you, and thereby giving you access to two of the best guitars on the market.

Its all about lateral thinking. Its what I did :-)

Gassage · August 2015

Not for me, but truly one of the best post Fender/Gibson classics.

SquireJapan · August 2015

hubobulous said:

@Stonevibe and @SquireJapan - if you cut your legs off beneath the knee, you'd have the advantage of both the N4 and JS looking perfect for you, and thereby giving you access to two of the best guitars on the market.

Its all about lateral thinking. Its what I did :-)

Shame you weren't here earlier, otherwise I'd still own both

I'd lusted after an N4 for ages, so finally getting one was a big treat. Shame the ergonomics didn't quite work - it being smaller bodied meant it was lower down and seated and it all felt a bit bunched up. Sounded and played amazing (fretboard and feel was great), just couldn't get past the "toy guitar" feeling.

I would suggest anyone interested in one try it though, they are superb (with caveats

).

Pwalo · August 2015

Interesting reading how many see it as small.. I never really noticed. Seemed very much like a Charvel San Dimas to me. It didn't feel too bad (I'm 6'2") but maybe I should try it in a mirror. I used to gig an SG a lot till someone took picture of me and it. Then I sold it.

Sassafras · August 2015

I like small guitars, they make me look like a real man instead of a ventriloquist's doll.

bluechargeboy · August 2015

Perfect size for me too. Beautiful guitars, tactile and great to just gaze upon, never mind play!

Garthy · August 2015

Is the neck much different to a Washburn Mercury?

I never noticed the small body before.

hubobulous · August 2015

Not sure about the Mercury, but the neck is very comfy.

There are essentially 3 profiles:

• The early, original ones, sometimes referred to as Davies era.

• The mid/late 90s through to about 2009 which are a little thinner

• The 2.0 versions which were recreations of the early Davies specs, with the rolled joint and slightly beefier necks

All are great, not Wizard thin at all, and just effortless to play

Pwalo · August 2015

What about the price- reasonable?

hubobulous · August 2015

Yeah, I'd say it is. And with the U.S. Factory now closing, these will become rarer if that matters.

The ESA was not one of the popular models simply down to the fact that Nuno never played the Swamp Ash version, (Alder or Padauk are most associated), but that means that these tend to be cheaper.

Might be worth checking out the FB N4 group to see if anyone has one second hand if you're interested in cheaper still.

I should also mentionn that the pickup selector is in one of the most sensible locations once you are used to it.

Pwalo · August 2015

Thanks, good spot - Just joined it.

I'm properly tempted now...

hubobulous · August 2015

Any other questions about N4s, please ask. They are a passion of mine :-)

Pwalo · August 2015

hubobulous said:

Any other questions about N4s, please ask. They are a passion of mine :-)

Ok, I will! What's the special edition cert in the pic then, or do they all have them?

hubobulous · August 2015

The certificate initially strikes me as odd. It seems to indicate that it's a limited edition Mourning Widows version, (Nuno's independent band), which I think would have different inlays. First step would be to check serial number on headstock with certificate details.

It's a great guitar irrespective, but would be worth checking those details as a starting point.

bingefeller · August 2015

stonevibe said:

Just such a small guitar body.

I looked like and felt like a giant playing a ukulele when I owned mine.

I think they make them small because Nuno is small so it looks normal on him.

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N4 ESA Spotted

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