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Advice on buying an LTD bass vs Ibanez?

D

doohdoohhead

May 20, 2010
10
0
#1
Hello all,

I'm relatively new to playing bass and I wanted some advice on buying a decent bass.

At my local guitar shop there is an LTD B 1004 bass. It's on sale and it seems like a great bass. Here's a link to the LTD website:

http://www.espguitars.com/basses_ltd-deluxe.html

I am also looking at an Ibanez SRT 800DX which is running at $880.

I really like the LTD finish, both are through neck, but that's about all I know. The LTD is on sale and is cheaper than the Ibanez, although it supposedly costs more normally.

Any ideas? Or recommendations for buying a bass in that price range?

Thanks!
 
#4
I think the ESP basses look great. I've not had a chance to play any since no one carries them around here. But they look really well made and would probably sound great for rock with the EMG's.

Another bass you might want to look at is a Spector Legend Custom. Neck through/EMG's. I had one a while back and foolishly sold it. Very nice bass and in your price range.
 
#6
I would choose Ibby over the LTD, used to own a couple of Ibanez and liked them, never really liked anything ESP/LTD put out......... I would keep my options open and looked used also, you could get a better bass for the price of that one.....but hey to each his own.
Now all I play are Fender Jazz and MM sting ray, but Im a slap player.
 
#7
thanks for all the responses so far.

Ive played the LTD a bit, it's definitely a thin neck. I also really loved the finish and it's light weight.
I went in looking for an Ibanez just because I think they generally make great instruments for the price. But I saw this one, normally listed at 1200, on clearance.
I'd also be up for recommendations of around $1000 range.

Thanks!

-DDH
 
#11
Seems that most people are leaning Ibanez.
(Actually the ESP/LTD bass is listed at $1500 but selling for $1000 on music123.)
The sales person at the store also told me he preferred the ibanez, although he said if the ESP gets down to the 600s it would be worth it (it's on a progressive weekly discount rate, right now it's at about $730).
But honestly I have a hard time trusting sales people, considering his comission is higher if I buy the Ibanez at almost $200 dollars more (and who knows if his comission is the same on clearance products etc).
I would be a happy man with either bass, but since I like the finish a bit more with the ESP and it's MSRP is higher, it's difficult to choose.
But I may just go with the Ibanez considering all the feedback.
 
#12
Wow- Holy flashbacks, Batman!

About 3 years ago, I was buying my first brand-new bass in like 15 years. I narrowed my choices down to an ESP LTD B404SM (priced right around $800) and a similarly priced Ibanez (I cannot remember the model but it had a beautiful burled poplar top with a clear amber finish).
Both were 4 stringers, the ESP is neck thru-the Ibanez was bolt-on.
My local Sam Ash had them both in stock so I A/B'd them through 2 different amp setups for close to an hour.
I ended up buying the ESP for 2 reasons:

1-tonally, I preferred the sound of the LTD with the EMG pickups and pre over the Ibanez with the Bart system. I found the Ibanez to be lacking a bit in the bottom end. Both basses had excellent highs and powerfuls mids, but to my ears, the EMGs were better in the lower register.
2-I found the Ibanez neck to be a bit TOO thin for my tastes

Gotta say my LTD is my #2 bass. Only my Clement custom is ahead of it in my rotation
 

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