ESP LTD Standard Series B-4E or Ibanez SR Series SR300M?

[therh]

Hello Everyone,

I have a ESP 400 Series J Bass copy (EMG actives) and I am looking to upgrade. I have been looking at different basses and these two spark my interest.

ESP LTD Standard Series B-4E

http://www.theperfectbass.com/explo...104031101&W=STORE&P=N&S=1001081&U=1&SS=1&CR=Y

and

Ibanez SR Series SR300M

http://www.theperfectbass.com/explo...103833101&W=STORE&P=N&S=1001081&U=1&SS=1&CR=Y

I am looking to play funk, jazz, blues, and praise and worship. What is a better build quality or just a better bass all around?

Thanks,
RH

 

[Joe Milo]

I have an ESP/LTD B404SM with active EMG pups,3band EQ. It will do anything I want it to.

The B4E has ESP's pups and EQ which would make the bass cost much less than what I have......Look around at the music stores and see if you can find the model I have used....I saw one not long ago for sale here I think. Retail new they are going for as much as $800 and lower. I have the spalted maple top swamp ash body model.....

Link Removed

 

[Toastfuzz]

I think both would sound very similar, and very good. However I'd always be kicking myself if I bought the Soundgear and not that awesome looking ESP. And I'm normally an Ibanez guy.

 

[levis76]

ESP all the way. String thru, neck thru, standard size pickups so they can easily be swapped out for a nicer set in the future, a nice dense bridge, and IMHO a better quality instrument all the way around. Better woods, better construction, and better hardware. A nice set of Barts and a Bart preamp and that ESP would move mountains.

PS - Get the nut on the ESP replaced first thing, the LTD models all get hollow plastic cheapies. A nut replacement shouldn't cost more than $50 and it will greatly improve the sustain and tone of the open string notes.

 

[therh]

If I am looking at the ESP head on, what do the knobs do top to bottom, left to right? I am new to this as my bass has a volume, volume, and tone.

 

[therh]

Are there any other recommendations?

 

[tom once dead]

The knobs will be this:
Master -- Bass
------- Middle
Blend -- Treble

 

[therh]

Oh ok, I was not sure, but that is what I thought.

 

[SurrenderMonkey]

That ESP kicks some serious butt. Gut feeling, ESP! It's heavier, but not crazy. The SR is a lot lighter if that's something that may come into play.

 

[Dan B]

Looking at the quality I would go for the ESP (er, LTD).

The Ibanez is nice looking, but honestly when I played one I didn't feel good about it.

Plus, the LTD is sexier IMO.

 

[darkstorm]

Both are nice but between the two Id diff go with the ESP LTD. In this case its more bang for buck and more exotic high end looking etc. But the Ibanez if neck and tone of it more appeals to you.

 

[anthonymcfadden]

The 700$ LTD and the 400$ Ibanez are not really in the same class.. Id take the similar costing Ibanez sr700 over the ESP any day

 

[therh]

The LTD I am looking at is $500.

 

[The Ethanator]

if youre going to get an ibanez, go with the sr500 series or above. all the difference in feel, as the newer sr300 and sr400 pickups curve inward to the point where they are nearly flush with the body on the ends, leaving nowhere to put your thumb (big point for me since thats how i play). and like stated above, comparing a $500 esp to a $300 ibanez isnt exactly a fair contest

that said, i own a 2008 ibanez sr400qm (before the curved pickups) and have played every sr ive seen, and many esp/ltd basses including the b4e. the clear coat on the back of the neck makes it a little 'sticky' and hard to move around on. the sr necks are smaller and faster, and access to higher frets comes about the same on both basses. the ibanez is lighter and more contoured. personally, ive never found a more comfortable bass. if youre comparing basses of the same price, ibanez over esp in my opinion

oh, and it comes stock with bartolinis...