ESP manufactured the VIPER between 1997 and 1999

ESP introduced the offset SG style Viper model in 2004. Initially the Viper was available with urban camoflage finish, normal camoflage graphic finish or black finish. The fingerboard inlays were dots with an ESP block inlay at the 12th fret.  In 2006 camo finish was discontinued - and black finish was the only option from then onwards. In 2007 the fingerboard inlays were changed to flags.

The offset SG shaped ESP Viper Custom is made in the ESP Custom Shop and has a quilted maple top on a select mahogany body. Being a Custom Shop model ESP claim there is extra attention to detail in construction resulting in a higher quality instrument.

ESP manufactured the XJ-12 between 1996 and 1998. It was the 12-string version of the XJ-6 with a 4-up 8-down reverse headstock. Alder or ash body (depending on finish?), rosewood or maple fingerboard, 22 extra jumbo frets, 3 -way coil split/series/parallel switch plus a 3-way pickup selector switch. Pickups were intially ESP LH-200 humbuckers with nickel covers then in 1998 Seymour Duncan SH-1 humbuckers.

ESP produced the XJ-6 between 1996 and 2003, although it was only available in Japan from 2002 to 2003. It had a retro-styled ash or alder body shaped like a Fender Jaguar / Jazzmaster. Fingerboard was rosewood or maple with 22 extra jumbo frets and an "ESP" inlay at the 12 fret. Pickups were two Seymour Duncan mini humbuckers with a 3-way selector switch and a coil-split, series or parallel switch. Also available as a 12 string - the XJ-12 model.