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ESP LTD C-305...what's it worth?

R

RockFace

Jul 14, 2006
136
8
Quincy, MA
www.redsquareboston.com
#1
I own this bass, and i don't play it much anymore. I would really like to use it to hunt down a fender p-bass elite II, but the thing is...this thing just seems too nice to me. from the very limited number of people i have asked, i have been told i couldn't get more than 300 dollars for it. it just doesn't seem right...

-35" scale
-24 frets
-Neck-through body construction
-Mahogany body, Flame Maple top, Rosewood Fretboard
-Active 3-Band Preamp
-2 Passive EMG-Hz Humbuckers

This thing plays great...ultra-low tension and low action with DR Hi-beams currently. it is extremely powerful too..the EMG's kill. the bridge and tuners on this bass are amazing...it just seems like this thing is worth quite a bit more than 300 dollars...

now for the pics

ESP1.jpg


ESP2.jpg


ESP3.jpg


ESP4.jpg


how much, fairly, do you all think this bass is worth? thanks in advance!
 
#4
What it's worth to you, you can only decide that. I sold my similar C-305 with a red flamed maple top for $305. I had it up for auction on Ebay at $350 - No bids. Lowered it to $250 and got bid up to $305. The $300 Dollar range sounds about right to me.
 
#5
The upside to modern production techniques and materials is that even the "cheap", low-end basses like Rogue, Squire, SX, Rondo, etc., are often pretty decent--and midrange basses like Ibanez, Peavey, low-end Yamaha, and yes, ESP are getting to be really really good. The downside is that these basses have practically no resale value. Why would someone pay you five or six hundred dollars for your used ESP, when they could buy a comparable new one for the same price?

Don't think this is a coincedence. Instrument makers don't make any money off used gear! All these "budget" brands--Squier, Epiphone, RockBass, etc.--started when companies realized that instead of having students and newbies start on used or borrowed gear, they could reap the massive profits available by selling super-cheap NEW gear to someone who doesn't know any better and will just be happy to get a shiny new instrument all their own. So the market for a nice used mid-range bass like your ESP is very limited.

Again, as others said, if no one is willing to pay what it'd be worth to you to give up, then keep it! If you really wanted a different bass--not just another bass--then you'd be willing to let this one go for whatever you could get. Since it's clear you still really like your ESP, just be patient and save for the other one.

Peace
policy
 
#6
Very nice bass. If it had one less string I'd buy it.

The C series isn't made anymore, because of that, I'd pay about five to six hundred dollars for it. They're apparently fantastic basses.

Made in Korea? I don't really care where my bass is made, but some people do, which could make it worth less in some people's eyes. Stupid, IMO, but true.

Graeme
 
#7
Here is the value straight from the bluebook

ESP LTD C305

New List price: $829
Retail used price: $412
Whlsl mint condition: $242
Whlsl aver. condition: $143

So..what this means is....your bass listed brand new for $829. If you saw one used, hanging in a store, they'd be asking in the area of $412 for it. If you went to trade it in, you'd probably get around $150 for it. Selling it outright, $300-$400 is where you could expect to be.
 
#8
I've heard these run about $1,000 new; is this true? That quote of $300 sounds about right though. I have an Ibanez that ran me $800, it retailed for 1,000, and I was given a quote on it for 200. I wasn't planning on selling it, I was just curious, but I told the shop that gave me that quote, that that price was crap. Personally I don't think you should sell it unless you know you absolutely have to.
 
#9
Bman83 said:
I've heard these run about $1,000 new; is this true? That quote of $300 sounds about right though. I have an Ibanez that ran me $800, it retailed for 1,000, and I was given a quote on it for 200. I wasn't planning on selling it, I was just curious, but I told the shop that gave me that quote, that that price was crap. Personally I don't think you should sell it unless you know you absolutely have to.
Click to expand...


Read the post above yours. The new list price was $829. That means it probably sold new for about $650.

The price you were given on your Ibanez was not "crap". It was what a store was willing to play for your bass. Stores have overhead to worry about, and they aren't going to stay in business by giving you more for a bass than they can buy a new one wholesale for. You can ALWAYS get more selling a bass outright than you can selling or trading it to a store.
 
#10
I have the four string version of that bass. It's been an excellent instrument and I don't think I'll ever part with mine. Sadly, it isn't worth much money.......especially as a trade in at a music store. It's worth WAY more to me than I'd ever get someone to pay for it. That's just the way the market is, as stated above. IMO, you should hold onto it for a while. It really is a nice bass and you will have a chance to "rediscover" it later on. If you decide to sell it later, you'll probably still get the same amount for it as you would right now. Good luck.
 
#13
This thread is quite old, but I bought a used blue C305 in 2021 for $350 after a counteroffer from $375 listed. Came with tape wound strings which was my first experience with this newish string type. It weighs a lot and has quite a thick neck but sounds great via its HH pups and DR light rounds. There's a YouTube video of another player who likes it. He said it listed for $870 but $829 in this thread is close enough. Even at 50% off retail it's worth it IMO. I sold a Toby Pro fiver for $350 so broke even!
 
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