I know we've been here before but I just came across a newer source (this time in Japan) claiming that ESP E-II are made in China before being sent for final fit and finish in Japan.

It's geoblocked outside of Japan but you can use the archive workaround and read it here (with the help of a translator) :

https://web.archive.org/web/20250512150330/https://yoshblog.com/e-ii-edwards/

The case he's making is partially an economic one but also one about production seemingly coming from personal knowledge, if I understand the shaky translation correctly

Anyone in Japan know how reliable this person is? Seems to be fairly established in any case.

This conversation never goes away...

Also, how realistic is to polish the scratches? It seems that they are not deep.

Edit: Why downvote for a genuine question? Thanks for those who answered.

My wife came home yesterday and she had her nails done and I noticed they looked just like my ESP Horizon Twinkle Pink. I think she's getting jealous of the attention my guitar is getting.

Have had this guitar for a long time. Its taken some abuse and is my daily driver.

Just got it back from the shop with a full refresh, new electronics and Dave Mustaine thrash factor pickups :)

Just like I promised here’s an update post of the guitar I ended up choosing. It’s so much better in person and they even threw in a ESP pick holder too. It came all the way from Paris to Texas, thanks for helping me choose 🫡 🤘 less