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ESP Club?

Can anyone give me some info on the ESP LTD B-4e , and the LTD D-4 basses?
I played on of the D-4 at the music store a couple of weeks ago and was really pleased with the way it played and the looks were awesome!

This is what I had to say about my Link Removed.

I also just picked up a B-304 and set it up BEAD.

They both sound awesome and look incredible. I think I am officially a fan of ESP basses, LTD or otherwise.
 
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Noticing a lot of people here knocking ESP what gives?

Kinda burns my butt as i have two (F series and a B series)and love them both....

any other ESP owners out there?

getting kind of lonely here out here by myself....in this sea of P and J Fenders and Musicman Stingrays...lol


Here's mine, love them to death.

I think the real reason why they get knocked so much has everything to do with a word that starts with "J" and ends in "Y".....

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Can't believe I'm so late to this party.

Had a Precision Elite (2 split coil P-ups) and wanted something new. Went to a buddy's music store and played on every bass he had. Went with an ESP LTD B-304 that sounded and played better than anything else. (Maybe it was just one of those one-in-a-thousand made where everything went together perfectly) Cost me $400.00 That was 2001-2002 and it was brand new. I saw some used ones for sale about 5 years ago in the $500 range. Mahogany body, neck-through, and those electronics! Last year I got a Fender American Elite Jazz 5 and intended to use the ESP as a back up. Didn't work out that way: The ESP is more versatile and easier to play. Group I'm in now plays smooth jazz, R&B, Michael Franks,....you know, old fart music. I swear the ESP gets a better trombone sound (think Jaco) on the bridge p-up than the Jazz.

It's just really hard to find out anything about these old ones. They weren't using the same serial number system then so I can't find out when or where it was made Lost the truss rod cover off the head stock and it looks like I'll have to make one.

I'm probably going to get more basses and I'm looking for a 5-string Pedulla buzz right now, but I'll NEVER part with Rosie
 
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These are two of mine, an ESP Vintage Four and an LTD Surveyor '87.

I absolutely love these basses! I've changed a couple minor things on each of them but just preference stuff. They both punch above their weight class and will probably be the last basses I buy for a LONG time.

I also have a pair of ESP LTD C-304 basses, one fretted and one fretless. Those two have both had the hardware and electronics upgraded. They had EMG-HZs from the factory and now they both have active EMGs, 35-P4s in the neck position and 35-CSs in the bridge spots. Those are terrific basses too, but obviously more aggressive and modern sounding than the two pictured.

I'll get some better pictures of all of them one of these days.
 
Just saw this recently re-awakened zombie thread. Earlier this year I bought an ESP related bass from Japan - a Grass Roots Bass IV. Grass Roots and it's cousin Edwards are economy level ESP's. The Bass IV references the Fender VI 6-string baritone guitar in appearance in a 4 string, 34" scale passive bass. The initial ESP version of the Bass IV was an artist signature model for Japanese bass-player Tetsuya with the band L'Arc-en-Ciel who designed a group of 'signature' basses including the Bass IV. His sig model has a couple of stickers on it and is badged ESP.

I bought my GR's Bass IV used from Japan (eBay). It was a Japanese market only bass, not available outside of Japan so somewhat rare in the US. Being an economy model/version - it invited a number of mostly cosmetic upgrades, but the bones were good. Bottom-line, it plays and sounds great! It's become my go-to band rehearsal bass and after the upgrades it is a looker as well as a player.

If interested - more on my upgrades here - GrassRoots Bass-IV

It's my only experience/reference to ESP - but my Grass Roots Bass IV is a winner. :bassist:

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Hey there just wanted to ask if anyone has played the LTD b55 and can tell me how the overall build and electronics hold up. It says these have an active tone circuit that acts like a passive tone knob but rolls in the active pre. I'm a little worried that it's just a baked in scoop tone which I'm not really into. I see one I have my eyes on buying but am curious if it's better to just wait until a nice b205 or d5 comes up for sale used.
 
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Got this one restrung and set up after fixing a DOA neck pickup issue. I think the previous owner had done a pickup swap and there was some suspect soldering in there. Running like a champ now, though!

I replaced the pickguard and ended up rewiring it for Volume/Blend/Tone instead of the stock V/V/T scheme. This suits my playing much better as I prefer to have a single, master volume control on the bass.

Currently strung up with DR Legend Flats. I'm going to let them settle in for a bit before I decide if I'll keep them on there or not.