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Esh Basses are back

fritzk9

fritzk9

Supporting Member
May 11, 2005
778
257
Indianapolis, IN
soundcloud.com
#1
Thought I'd pass on this tidbit. I exchanged emails with Petr Vykydal, with Radical Strings GmbH, and he provided the following news:

"Thanks for your interest in Esh basses. Yes, the Esh basses are in business. Probably more than ever. We took over Radical Strings GmbH from Mr. Ralf Scholl. Our company builds instruments for many top brands incl. Spector, NS Design, Hagstrom etc. The only difference is that the Esh basses will not be exclusively made in Germany but made in EU. Please check the news on our web for the Stinger II in flamed ash and new colors.

We have just started to do business with Guitar Center in USA. Hopefully Esh basses will be soon on the US market."

I'm a new fan to their instruments, so I think this is great news. Yay! :hyper:
 
#2
Oh well. Another reason to be pissed off, as if there weren't enough in my life already. My misanthropy just rose by degrees.

I always thought my Esh's would remain exclusive, elusive, much-appreciated-and-envied works of functional art, for those who knew high-end rarities and special instruments. I just picked up a mid-90s one-of-almost-none Esh jazz bass with ungodly sweet bright tone, like Geddy snapping away on a Sansamp, thanks to the piezo bridge and Kent Armstrong pups and active preamp... I added it to my collection of rarities inclusing a one-of-13 Esh Stinger.

Now I hear that GUITARD CENTER is going to be a distributor, and the production is going to be "EU"ropean instead of the small shop tucked into a forest in Germany? As for the website, it hasn't changed since 2010 except for a couple of pictures of "new offerings." Those choices have been there ALL ALONG if you wanted them.... any color, any finish, any wood, any flourish, as long as you were willing to pay for it.

Why, oh WHY do good things always end up changing for the worse in the end?.....

GuiTARD Center. Damn. Right there with Music123 and Behringer names; it's the same corporate ownership (surprise, those of you who didn't know). NOT what I wanted my investments to be associated with in any way at all. Sort of like owning a Porshce 928 and a 911 Turbo, then finding out WalMart is going to take over distributorship. Or owning a Rickenbacker bass and finding out Target or Best Buy is going to start selling them. Way to cheapen the brand.

If Esh goes that route, I'm done with them. Then again, esh has seen several changes of hands and management and distributors thoughout the years, and promises and threats have been made before and didn't come to pass.
Time will tell on this one.

And those of you who think I'm pouting......
damn right.
 
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#5
An update: After some research, I've determined that Radical Strings GmbH has owned Esh since 2010, and it's not a new development. In fact, the website that reference in the OPs post, with attention to the "flamed ash and new colors," is, as I previosuly pointed out, the website from 2010 that has not been updated.
Management sources I have contacted a Guitar Center have NOT confirmed in any way shape or form that Esh will be sold through GC. Which means two things, from opposite perspectives:
It ensures, as I pouted about several months ago, that Esh instruments remain rare pieces of functional art that require quite some effort and patience to acquire, unless you live in Europe: Great for those of us in the U.S. (and even abroad) who already own Eshes, as it keeps the market value stronger than ever on the few used ones in the United States. Bad, though, for any potential U.S. customers who want to go in GC and pull one off the wall and see how it feels and sounds.
Selfishly speaking, I'm okay with the fact that they won't be swinging on the hangers at GC any time soon, if ever.
Exclusivity continues. WHEW!

Also, as a corrected addendum to my jazz-bass reference, the '97 jazz did not/does not have a piezo like my Stinger does. The bridges look very similar in design, but the jazz bridge is an ABM without piezo (though ABM made a version with piezo that looked almost identical). I assumed based on the looks and ultrabright-tone capabilities that it was piezo, but it's simply super-hot Armstrong PUs with a dedicated treble pot in the 9v preamp.
 
#6
fritzk9 said:
Thought I'd pass on this tidbit...
Click to expand...


second that!

hi :D
i was hyped by a friends ESH Sovereign ( what a fat and deep sound!!!, yet clear mids and highs ), to finally order my very own ESH Bass....a Stinger I 5 String in that case.
i´m damn happy that they´re still built.

since i ordered a custom one, this fine piece of wood will be shipped on february 10th.
in case anyone is interested if they´re still up to the quality and sound that ESH was used to be, i´d gladly offer a review of it :)
 
#7
Josh Thatguy said:
An update: After some research, I've determined that Radical Strings GmbH has owned Esh since 2010, and it's not a new development. In fact, the website that reference in the OPs post, with attention to the "flamed ash and new colors," is, as I previosuly pointed out, the website from 2010 that has not been updated.
Management sources I have contacted a Guitar Center have NOT confirmed in any way shape or form that Esh will be sold through GC. Which means two things, from opposite perspectives:
It ensures, as I pouted about several months ago, that Esh instruments remain rare pieces of functional art that require quite some effort and patience to acquire, unless you live in Europe: Great for those of us in the U.S. (and even abroad) who already own Eshes, as it keeps the market value stronger than ever on the few used ones in the United States. Bad, though, for any potential U.S. customers who want to go in GC and pull one off the wall and see how it feels and sounds.
Selfishly speaking, I'm okay with the fact that they won't be swinging on the hangers at GC any time soon, if ever.
Exclusivity continues. WHEW!

Also, as a corrected addendum to my jazz-bass reference, the '97 jazz did not/does not have a piezo like my Stinger does. The bridges look very similar in design, but the jazz bridge is an ABM without piezo (though ABM made a version with piezo that looked almost identical). I assumed based on the looks and ultrabright-tone capabilities that it was piezo, but it's simply super-hot Armstrong PUs with a dedicated treble pot in the 9v preamp.
Click to expand...
Man, you are So hispter. In before the cool... exclusive... woohoo!
 
#8
Selta said:
Man, you are So hispter. In before the cool... exclusive... woohoo!
Click to expand...

I guess that word was supposed to be hipster, unless hispter is new. Hipster? Seriously?
Arrogant, maybe. a$sh0le, definitely. Intolerant, absof*ckinglutely.
I can't quite understand the urgent need for approval that that anyone who would term me "hipster" feels, but then again, since that person was born allllll the way back in 1985 (?!) and has just "recently" been turned on to the likes of Geddy (after I checked his profile), there's probably some kettle-calling-the-pot-black going on. And I can honestly say, I don't own a single plaid shirt, nor goofylooking 1960s bigframed black glasses, nor skinny jeans that look like they should be on girls, and I shave at least three times a week (no look-what-I-can-do post-puberty beard on me, thanks), and I personally think that PBR tastes like urine (yes, I have had women lose it during the big O).

I first played an Esh in 1995 when on the road with a band that has since disbanded due to the death of the singer and bassist. So yeah, I guess I was a bit ahead of the curve.
I posted the updated info on Esh a few weeks ago for anyone who might need future reference about Esh, since ownership and personnel seem to change every few years, and also, selfishly speaking, since I was selling the aforementioned Esh jazz bass at the time of my research and updates.

Those of you who appreciate the info now or in the future, you're welcome! Those of you choking on the wine of sour grapes, wait until you taste my raisins instead.
 
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Reactions: NC_Rob
#9
Josh Thatguy said:
I guess that word was supposed to be hipster, unless hispter is new. Hipster? Seriously?
Arrogant, maybe. a$sh0le, definitely. Intolerant, absof*ckinglutely.
I can't quite understand the urgent need for approval that that anyone who would term me "hipster" feels, but then again, since that person was born allllll the way back in 1985 (?!) and has just "recently" been turned on to the likes of Geddy (after I checked his profile), there's probably some kettle-calling-the-pot-black going on. And I can honestly say, I don't own a single plaid shirt, nor goofylooking 1960s bigframed black glasses, nor skinny jeans that look like they should be on girls, and I shave at least three times a week (no look-what-I-can-do post-puberty beard on me, thanks), and I personally think that PBR tastes like urine (yes, I have had women lose it during the big O).

I first played an Esh in 1995 when on the road with a band that has since disbanded due to the death of the singer and bassist. So yeah, I guess I was a bit ahead of the curve.
I posted the updated info on Esh a few weeks ago for anyone who might need future reference about Esh, since ownership and personnel seem to change every few years, and also, selfishly speaking, since I was selling the aforementioned Esh jazz bass at the time of my research and updates.

Those of you who appreciate the info now or in the future, you're welcome! Those of you choking on the wine of sour grapes, wait until you taste my raisins instead.
Click to expand...
And folks, this is a person who can't take a joke. Good night :)

P.S. - I edited my profile just for you since its been at least 3 years since I've edited it... probably longer, outside of the "gear" sections.
 
#10
Josh Thatguy said:
Oh well. Another reason to be pissed off, as if there weren't enough in my life already. My misanthropy just rose by degrees.

I always thought my Esh's would remain exclusive, elusive, much-appreciated-and-envied works of functional art, for those who knew high-end rarities and special instruments. I just picked up a mid-90s one-of-almost-none Esh jazz bass with ungodly sweet bright tone, like Geddy snapping away on a Sansamp, thanks to the piezo bridge and Kent Armstrong pups and active preamp... I added it to my collection of rarities inclusing a one-of-13 Esh Stinger.

Now I hear that GUITARD CENTER is going to be a distributor, and the production is going to be "EU"ropean instead of the small shop tucked into a forest in Germany? As for the website, it hasn't changed since 2010 except for a couple of pictures of "new offerings." Those choices have been there ALL ALONG if you wanted them.... any color, any finish, any wood, any flourish, as long as you were willing to pay for it.

Why, oh WHY do good things always end up changing for the worse in the end?.....

GuiTARD Center. Damn. Right there with Music123 and Behringer names; it's the same corporate ownership (surprise, those of you who didn't know). NOT what I wanted my investments to be associated with in any way at all. Sort of like owning a Porshce 928 and a 911 Turbo, then finding out WalMart is going to take over distributorship. Or owning a Rickenbacker bass and finding out Target or Best Buy is going to start selling them. Way to cheapen the brand.

If Esh goes that route, I'm done with them. Then again, esh has seen several changes of hands and management and distributors thoughout the years, and promises and threats have been made before and didn't come to pass.
Time will tell on this one.

And those of you who think I'm pouting......
damn right.
Click to expand...

Josh Thatguy said:
An update: After some research, I've determined that Radical Strings GmbH has owned Esh since 2010, and it's not a new development. In fact, the website that reference in the OPs post, with attention to the "flamed ash and new colors," is, as I previosuly pointed out, the website from 2010 that has not been updated.
Management sources I have contacted a Guitar Center have NOT confirmed in any way shape or form that Esh will be sold through GC. Which means two things, from opposite perspectives:
It ensures, as I pouted about several months ago, that Esh instruments remain rare pieces of functional art that require quite some effort and patience to acquire, unless you live in Europe: Great for those of us in the U.S. (and even abroad) who already own Eshes, as it keeps the market value stronger than ever on the few used ones in the United States. Bad, though, for any potential U.S. customers who want to go in GC and pull one off the wall and see how it feels and sounds.
Selfishly speaking, I'm okay with the fact that they won't be swinging on the hangers at GC any time soon, if ever.
Exclusivity continues. WHEW!

Also, as a corrected addendum to my jazz-bass reference, the '97 jazz did not/does not have a piezo like my Stinger does. The bridges look very similar in design, but the jazz bridge is an ABM without piezo (though ABM made a version with piezo that looked almost identical). I assumed based on the looks and ultrabright-tone capabilities that it was piezo, but it's simply super-hot Armstrong PUs with a dedicated treble pot in the 9v preamp.
Click to expand...

You and I definitely buy basses for different reasons.
 
#14
( Since i can´t upload images, i needed to take the links from FB..)


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There it is, after aproximately 8 weeks of building-process :)

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and the complete family ;)

(center: czech republic built Stinger I, right: all made in germany Stinger II )
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to be honest:
i had my doubts at first because of the "not anymore made in germany" thing, but i was proved wrong!

this thing is absolutely well crafted! and has the same superb quality like the sovereign and stinger I of a friend of mine ( which are older "made in germany" models )
the only drawback is, that the piezo isn´t adjustable one at a time, but all together.
but this is also a good thing, because they tend to have the same volume as the magnetic PUs, so no adjustment is needed at all :) even if the piezo is alone without the EMGs.

Specs in short:

Ash body
Maple neck w. walnut stripes
2 x EMG SJ PUs
Schaller Hardware....except the Bridge, which should be a hipshot by now ( it´s a Schaller M5 2000 on the german model )
 
#19
monsterthompson said:
... a little bummed about the lack of single-string adjustment. but it seems like it could create issues down the road, as complex things are complex to repair.
Click to expand...

since i recently bought another one with custom specs, i can tell you this:
the lack of single string adjustment only happend because of the new bridges they use for the stinger models, since they only have one piezo element for the whole bridge.

my new stinger I i ordered has humbuckers AND i wanted to have the "good old" Schaller M2000 Bridge on it, which has one piezo per string and ends up with single string adjustment capabilities in the electronics compartment :)
 

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