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Three P90s and a five-way selector provide a versatile tonal range

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• Review

The neck pickup adds some 'flute', especially effective with a gain boost, while the middle pickup nails a tough Texas blues attack.

Trying to pigeonhole this one stylistically is hard. With cleaner amp tones it's strum-friendly, especially with those darker, slightly narrower-than-Strat, hum-cancelling, mixed positions (that also work on a crunchier amp tone - just turn down the guitar volume and you can do a passable Strat-y intro), yet change your playing style and there are some old-style blues sounds that are perfect too for edgier pop and Americana.

There's not really enough push from the guitar alone for heavier gained riffage, but kick in a stompbox and again you'll be surprised how far you can push it. Overall it feels good, stays in-tune, the controls work properly with good 'woman' tone potential from the tone control. Damn close to perfect for those with open ears, and of course, eyes.

The Esprit is a simply excellent design and in this surprisingly Strat-y '3' version could find a place for all sorts of styles. It's rootsy and rocky and there's little doubt you'll be noticed.