Navigators are fantastically made guitars at the highest level of Japanese quality. This one is no exception.

Checking the serial number, it tells us that it was made in 2006 at the Kiso factory, the first guitar made on Monday the 11th of December. What’s cool about that, is that in 2006 Navigator didn’t offer an SG in black, so this guitar was custom ordered. There’s a mark in the bridge pickup cavity “CS-0926-1” which also looks like it indicates a custom build.

Besides the color, the tuners differ from the catalog which shows vintage Kluson style keystones. This has Gotoh tuners and there is no indication that there were ever Kluson style tuners on it.

Neck pickup matches the catalog, a Duncan APH-1, but the bridge is a Dimarzio DP155 which looking at the pots may well be original to it, but with the cover removed. Strap pins are in black, which would also differ from the catalog. Per the catalog, the body and neck would be made from Honduras Mahogany. Fretboard has fret edge binding, but I’m not sure what wood its made from as the grain is very tight, although the catalog specs it as Honduras Rosewood.

Overall, it’s in excellent condition with some minor nicks here and there. Comes with its original Navigator hard shell case as pictured.

Navigator is the original brand ESP first started selling guitars under in 1976 and are only sold in Japan. It is widely known as being among the top of high end Japanese guitar brands delivering hand made guitars that are made in Japan at custom shop level quality.