Anyone own an ESP D4 bass?

[Hekbass]

That's my main bass right now. Really awesome bass. Incredible tone, lots of growl, really nice neck, etc. My only complaint is that it's a little on the heavy side. I solved that issue by getting a neotech strap (anything that's got a little bit of padding, or even just a thick leather strap will do).

Since I've owned it, I've noticed that I've slowly been polishing the finish on the neck, and around the pickup where my hand rests. I'm not exactly sure what's causing this, but I'm pretty sure it's from the oils on my hands, and the amount I've been playing it (probably 6 hours a week). I LOVE how the recently shiny parts look and I'm really considering finding a way to polish the entire bass.

Anyway, you'll dig the bass for sure.

You in Tampa, Scotty? I'm north of Tampa.
I'm very likely going to be buying that ESP very soon. It sounds great in your band track.
Check out my stuff at myspace.com/voiceofthevortex

 

[BassBoomer23]

I'm very sure that I'll be buying this bass, but I want3d to know if I could get it new and for less than 399.00 US$.
Thnx a lot!

 

[BassBoomer23]

Hey bassists,

I have owned this instrument for about a month or two now, and am not pleased with it. I'll try to be as objective as possible as well as conserve some proper opinion...

(Keep in mind that) I made the wrong decision on buying it off the internet without even playing it before. I strongly recommend fellow bassists to not repeat the mistake I have made and to give every bass one tries out some time.
First: the controls on the bass change the sound by mids and highs giving it more of a "chime" (like a bell) and also making static and background noise rise. The bass eq gives it a fuller tone which really gets into your ear (I use an amPlug with EQ that does not affect the sound at all.)

This bass does not have a punchy tone, if that is what you are looking for. The bass has perhaps more of a precision tone in some aspects, but is stronger than that. The bass is good for slap as well, if you like background noises and things like that. The G string and D will sound somewhat acoustic, as strange as it may sound. (Right now, I am speaking about using roundwounds (D'addario 170's, to be exact).
However, if you use nylon tapewounds this bass has a way of imitating a double bass well enough with bass eq full, the bridge pickup on full, fingers playing by the neck, and with a bit of foam.

One other thing is that it has a lot of sustain (personally I don't appreciate it, but that's just my opinion). It may be useful for metal and heavy metal, where alot of the music is mashed up.

Now that I think about it, although it may have a warm look about it in some yellowish shade of light, the bass really does not sound the way it looks (I think).

However, this is not negative for some, I'm sure. What I can definitely say is that it is a string bass, with strong wood and, hell, even strong lacquer. I droped it once or twice and feared the worst, but it didn't have a scratch when I looked around.

To close things up...
I strongly recommend, again, for a bassist of any level to go to the music store directly and avoid most reviews. Does this contradict what I am saying? Yes. But I want my own opinion to be out there... maybe it can help.

I hope this is useful information for somebody out there who's curious as to how this bass is.

Best,
The BassBoomer

 

[Mauricio Porte]

It actually looks much better than in the pics