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