ESP LTD AC-200E Natural Sample/Prototype 2003

This goes back to 2003 . The AC-200 was first and I think last offered in 2003. I found this and a few others in the ESP Warehouse (N Hollywood) They are really neat, some were marked made in Korea others China. This one is China. 

It is a sample/preproduction guitar. ESP makes the samples to test out various colors, finishes and to show to dealers prior to the actual model being built. They take them to shows like NAMM and start taking preorders for the new years model. Some Samples are never make it into production models.

*As this is a Sample some specs may not be the same as the production model but 99% of the time they are the same. This one has Rosewood sides and a Spruce Top.

Here is a copy of the Press Release from Aug 2002 making the announcement of the new model:

ESP Guitars has announced their new acoustic/electric guitar, the AC-200E.

This guitar features a quilted maple top, sides and back, and is available in three breathtaking colors (natural, see-thru blue and see-thru red). The AC-200E has a set mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard, with model name inlaid at the 12th fret. Abalone and creme colored binding outline the body front, and creme binding continues up the neck and around the Eclipse-shaped headstock. Gold hardware adorns the tuning keys and strap buttons.

For amplification and direct recording, the AC-200E has a piezo acoustic pickup and a 4-band active preamp. Changing the battery (9V) is easy, too, since the compartment swivels out from the preamp control panel.

The AC-200E acoustic/electric guitar has a suggested reail price of $599.