ESP Tom Araya Signature Series Bass

Mr. Lovejoy · #1 06-10-2010, 06:20 AM

Have any of you lovely people ever got your hands on an ESP Tom Araya? If so, please tell me every detail of the experience.

Frankly this bass pleases me on so many levels, and I can't even stand Slayer. Custom shop quality, 35" scale, 4-strings, ebony fingerboard, thin and heel-less neck-through neck, 24 frets, silly pentagram inlays, the look of a $200 beginner Bass, aesthetics to annoy the Fender players, AND its very existence pisses off quite a few bassists... that is a deadly combination as far as my checkbook is concerned. On top of that, I hear it bleeds mids out of every orifice and can slice through any mix.

The only drawback I can see is the $3299 price tag, but who can really put a price on cheap thrills and happiness? I am quite sure I will pick one of these up used or when ESP comes to their senses after their recent massive price hike. Frankly I would be willing to play Mamma Kin and other cover gig drivel every night in a bar band with one of these Basses, all while wearing a grin from ear to ear.

Some people dream of owning a vintage P, a glorified coffee table, or something similar... but this Bass is MY sick little fantasy

Callum_Carcass · #2 06-10-2010, 06:25 AM

Personally I'd just go for the TA-600 as there's really very little difference other thanit being made in Korea and it being under the LTD brand.

Three and a half grand is what you reserve for Spectors.:P

And yeah, I think it's a lovely bass, and IMO, the more mids, the better!

pedroims · #3 06-10-2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

The only drawback I can see is the $3299 price tag,

Hell !! $3299 !!! Does include a ticket to heaven??

Mr. Lovejoy · #4 06-10-2010, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callum_Carcass

Personally I'd just go for the TA-600 as there's really very little difference other thanit being made in Korea and it being under the LTD brand.

That is like saying you should get a MiM Fender because the CS model is not that different.

Spraeg · #5 06-10-2010, 10:03 AM

I saw the LDT version up on CL and thought of buying it for a project bass (and I am actually a Slayer fan, so I'd play it gladly), but if I'm gonna spend that kind of cash, I'd be getting something custom to me, not custom to Tom Araya.

Rocinante_x1 · #6 06-10-2010, 10:56 AM

$3299 isn't what i'd call "cheap thrills", but hey, If you want it, go for it. No one's to say otherwise.

HaMMerHeD · #7 06-10-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedroims

Hell !! $3299 !!! Does include a ticket to heaven??

Heaven? A Slayer bass?

JAGGL3S · #8 06-10-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

Heaven? A Slayer bass?

Maybe SOUTH OF HEAVEN? haha

Mr. Lovejoy · #9 06-10-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocinante_x1

$3299 isn't what i'd call "cheap thrills", but hey, If you want it, go for it. No one's to say otherwise.

Cheap thrills from playing it, not from buying it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spraeg

I saw the LDT version up on CL and thought of buying it for a project bass (and I am actually a Slayer fan, so I'd play it gladly), but if I'm gonna spend that kind of cash, I'd be getting something custom to me, not custom to Tom Araya.

Well I doubt I would change much about it. It is practically a preamp-less Spector without a neck heel or NS body shape, which sounds good to me.

Mola Ram · #10 06-10-2010, 05:20 PM

Tom Araya having a signature series is almost as ridiculous as Milli Vinilli having a signature brand of Shure microphones.

...I always thought it would be hilarious if the Tom Araya bass came standard with no output jack

That being said I have played it and its not a terrible bass. But for that price? Get outta here.

Mr. Lovejoy · #11 06-10-2010, 06:22 PM

Did you play the ESP version or the LTD version? One is a custom shop model, the other is a Korean-made budget model.

There is quite a big difference between the two.

tom once dead · #12 06-10-2010, 06:29 PM

I've got a signature model LTD, not a budget bass at all. Not the Tom Araya though, if I was going to get a signature it would be Henkka's.

Sartori · #13 06-10-2010, 06:31 PM

Eh, not my thing, especially for that amount of money.

But it would be boring if we all liked the same thing. Do what makes you happy.

Mr. Lovejoy · #14 06-10-2010, 06:35 PM

I wish some ESP dealers carried more of their high-range models in stores so I could try this one out.

I'm not entirely sure why I want this exact bass, but I do.

Sartori · #15 06-10-2010, 06:39 PM

Eh, taste is very subjective. I love Rickenbackers, but many people don't.

zachoff · #16 06-10-2010, 08:12 PM

I doubt I'll ever spend more than $2k on a bass... $3200?! Nope. And I love Slayer.

darkstorm · #17 06-10-2010, 08:57 PM

I like the shape variation from the F series. Would concider a Ltd version. But wouldnt pay the price for the regular esp sig version. Personally I liked his BC Rich's better though.

chump stain · #18 06-10-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkstorm

I like the shape variation from the F series. Would concider a Ltd version. But wouldnt pay the price for the regular esp sig version. Personally I liked his BC Rich's better though.

+1

That shape rocks! The pentagrams, not so much.

ledyard · #19 06-10-2010, 11:00 PM

The only reason I see for owning that bass Is being in a Slayer tribute band. Which would be awsome if done correctly. But i'm sure thats not your angle here.
Buy the LTD and upgrade the pups and pots. The "real" ESP will be made of choice wood cuts and you will be able to feel the much better craftsmanship....however, those korean LTD basses (the higher end ones) are pretty ****'n nice for what they are.

Mr. Lovejoy · #20 06-11-2010, 03:11 AM

I always find that "nice for what they are" statement an odd one.