I have an ESP LTD B4E and it is my favorite. Well balanced, small body, big sound. And, yeah, the head stock shape is way cool.
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Are LTD’s sleepers?
- Thread starter bigdaddybass12
- Start date
I have a 2008 LTD B-204 (Indo) that I play regularly in rotation with several of my other basses and it's a good quality well built instrument IMO. Neck is a little skinny compared to most of my others and it's a bit heavy but it plays easy and I adjust to it no problem. Nice low action, lovely spalted maple top, definitely a "sleeper" IMO and well worth consideration quality and price wise with, at a minimum, Cort, Squier, Epiphone (all of which I also own) etc. Only thing "metal looking" to me is the headstock which I personally like the look of.
Not sure why some dog the electronics, I think it sounds perfectly fine with lots of tonal range. Different strokes I suppose.
Not sure why some dog the electronics, I think it sounds perfectly fine with lots of tonal range. Different strokes I suppose.
I had an LTD Vintage 204 in natural ash and I regret selling it. It was awesome, but I sold it for another purchase.
Most of their owners identify them as ESP. Apparently it makes them sound better.
Sleepers? Maybe here on TB since this place skews old. Especially the guitars are still massively popular with the rock/metal crowd. It's not uncommon to see touring acts with LTDs.
A lot of the 1000-series production has been moved to Indonesia. It's a shame, because WMIC has been very consistent in my experience. They make good instruments in Indonesia but, subjectively, I've run into more fit & finish issues with MII axes, YMMV.
A lot of the 1000-series production has been moved to Indonesia. It's a shame, because WMIC has been very consistent in my experience. They make good instruments in Indonesia but, subjectively, I've run into more fit & finish issues with MII axes, YMMV.
@bigdaddybass12 It is quite interesting how big a factor headstock aesthetics are to many of us. For me, I started playing bass in the 90s (I'm 44 now) and was drawn to the sleeker modern lines of, say, Soundgear basses so the Fender headstock shape always looked a bit stodgy to me. As much as I'd like to try a Jackson Spectra, I can't get over how hideous I think those headstocks are (like a misshapen Gumby), but many TBers dig it.
@Windreaper That makes sense since a lot of higher end Schecters are made in both Korea and Indonesia. Many of the 1000 series LTDs I've seen on Sweetwater had Korea on the headstock.
@EdO. Agreed there. I too am not sure why some folks bag on ESP's house brand electronics. It's like, the moment they see ESP branded soapbars they immediately want to swap them out. My response there is: Hold your horses, there. Try the stock ESP electronics for a month, or two, or 3, or 4 ever... see if you don't like them just as much, if not more than, the brand name stuff.
Passive soapbars are my favorite kind of pickup and I've tried several, including name brand name ones... and the ESPs are one of my favorites. Official ESP club
@Windreaper That makes sense since a lot of higher end Schecters are made in both Korea and Indonesia. Many of the 1000 series LTDs I've seen on Sweetwater had Korea on the headstock.
@EdO. Agreed there. I too am not sure why some folks bag on ESP's house brand electronics. It's like, the moment they see ESP branded soapbars they immediately want to swap them out. My response there is: Hold your horses, there. Try the stock ESP electronics for a month, or two, or 3, or 4 ever... see if you don't like them just as much, if not more than, the brand name stuff.
Passive soapbars are my favorite kind of pickup and I've tried several, including name brand name ones... and the ESPs are one of my favorites. Official ESP club
I think someone had one of those for sale on here a few months ago. Maybe it's STILL on here...if that thing plays and sounds good as it looks, well...
I think someone had one of those for sale on here a few months ago. Maybe it's STILL on here...if that thing plays and sounds good as it looks, well...
Gone as of a week ago. I looked at it, but contemplating the shipping cost cross-country dampened my enthusiasm. Thanks for the heads-up though.
I was interested in the ESP Surveyor, the model with EMG's. but I don't think I've ever run across one or the similar LTD in a store.
I played an LTD in a music store that I really liked, but I couldn't get past the headstock shape
I have a LTD B-206SM that I like a lot, the neck on the bass is KILLER!!!!, the only two gripes is I really don't like the thin sounding pickups and the bridge on it I have to use a tapered B string because of the extreme angle break which when the string is stung thru going over the saddle.
Well actually, this is my ESP LTD vintage sleeper..I am not a P/J guy but this thing smokes and I love it-
LTD's punch way above their price point. I like that AP-5. Can be had for closer to 750.00 used and has excellent components.
If I could choose a builder to make a one off custom for me it would be ESP. They can do anything.
If I could choose a builder to make a one off custom for me it would be ESP. They can do anything.
One more thing I had to replace the tuners with Hipshots, the factory tuners fell apart.
D
Based on the number of LTDs we see at the workshop I wouldn't call them sleepers. On the contrary, they seem to be extremely popular and they must have sold TONS of them, especially the guitars. They're solid mid-level instruments, nothing outstanding but very good value. Of course the looks aren't for everyone but the same can be said about ANY bass.
Love It!!!!!
It is a touch top heavy but not too bad. It's not crossing gate top heavy.
It is a touch top heavy but not too bad. It's not crossing gate top heavy.
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