• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

ESP LTD TL-4Z AND OTHER ACOUSTICS

Michael Jewels

Michael Jewels

Supporting Member
Nov 29, 2000
11,463
9,929
Queens, N.Y.(Near JFK Airport)
#1
Hello, all.

I'm interested in the ESP LTD TL-4Z; has anyone played one or do you own one?

What do you think of it?

How is the sound? I don't care about unplugged volume, as I always play acoustics plugged in.

A year ago, I bought a Fender T-Bucket bass, and absolutely love it!

The warm, woody sound, and the rapid decay are very appealing and so different from a regular electric. For $400, this is a real sleeper, and would round out anyone's collection.

If you want to comment on any other acoustic bass, I'm all ears.

Here's the ESP.

Mike
esp-ltd-tl-4z-e28093-beauty-shot-1.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: cavemanbass
#3
Well, guess it’s nearly three years with no response now haha... I am also curious about this bass, so am interested in people’s thoughts / experiences with it. I’m guessing after three years you’ve either gotten over your interest in the bass, or own (have owned one) so can review with some authority.
 
#4
Thank you for the thread reawakening, Battlebass2015!
About a year ago, I bought one of these.
Breedlove_1.jpg

A Breedlove Pursuit.
I love it, but I have to have it set up, as the action is much too high.
It has a very warm, pleasing tone, but I have to decide which strings I'm going to put on it when it's set up.
I also like the 32" scale.
I am still interested in the ESP, but I really shouldn't buy another bass.
Famous last words. :D
Mike
 
#5
Cool man, I like the idea of a 32” scale, my main bass is a 34”, however, I recently picked up a cheap acoustic that is 30” and now appreciate how nice playing a short scale is haha... Seems like 32” would be a nice compromise (as most music I play is tuned down, so not short scale friendly) not that reach has ever been an issue for me.

As an aging punk / hardcore guy I’m ready to make that terminal decision and start an acoustic project haha... so contemplating guitar options (the music would remain up tempo and detuned a bit I imagine) haha
 
#6
Michael Jewels said:
Thank you for the thread reawakening, Battlebass2015!
About a year ago, I bought one of these.
View attachment 3965472
A Breedlove Pursuit.
I love it, but I have to have it set up, as the action is much too high.
It has a very warm, pleasing tone, but I have to decide which strings I'm going to put on it when it's set up.
I also like the 32" scale.
I am still interested in the ESP, but I really shouldn't buy another bass.
Famous last words. :D
Mike
Click to expand...
The only way to really set up a base like that is a truss rod adjustment right? No bridge saddles or anything to move.
 
#7
Kevin Doyle said:
The only way to really set up a base like that is a truss rod adjustment right? No bridge saddles or anything to move.
Click to expand...

I don’t know that much about setting up acoustic basses, but I think you are right.

A tech once told me that if the truss rod adjustment isn’t enough, shaving the nut or bridge will lower the action.

Thanks for asking. :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kevin Doyle
#8
Well, it took a little over 6 years, but I finally bought one!

Not the Z for Zebra wood model, just the regular LTD ESP TL4.

And what a bass it is!

I ordered it last week and had it shipped to my local Sam Ash store.

It came in yesterday and I picked it up.

I’m still getting familiar with it.

I have a total of about an hour’s playing time on it, and I am more surprised and pleased with it than any other new bass I’ve ever bought.

For one thing, it doesn’t sound anything like my Breedlove pictured above.

That’s the surprise.

I’ll post more on this later, and some pictures, but for now, :hyper:

Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: neil|lien
#9
I’ll review a little at a time, as I’m still getting familiar with this bass.

First of all, this bass appears to be semi-acoustic, but it is actually a chambered solid body with an acoustic bridge.

Its appearance made me think it would sound something like my Breedlove, which is an electro-acoustic.

It sounds nothing like my Breedlove.

My Breedlove is warm and mellow, the TL4 sounds like a solid-body bass, which is made mellow by its chambered body and its acoustic bridge.

A surprise, but a pleasant surprise.

The strings can only be strung through the body, but this gives the instrument very good sustain.

Whereas the Breedlove is mellow, the TL4 is very bright, but part of this is due to the phosphor bronze strings it comes standard with.

But, its EQ is very responsive and tames the brightness of the strings well.

More as I become familiar with it.

As promised, some photos.
79987D50-69AA-4CCB-8B86-0D0E46067110.jpeg
The multi-colored confetti is actually the reflection of Christmas lights strung above the table.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: neil|lien and Wicked G
#14
Strings, pickup and EQ.

When I first plugged this bass in, I thought it was too bright, and for my taste, it was.

The strings that come stock on it are, D’Addario PBB170 phosphor bronze.

Brand new, they were very bright, but after 4 hours playing, they seem to be losing some of their excessive brightness.

Add to this, the very well voiced pickup and the well voiced EQ, and this bass is beginning to sound fantastic.

To me, it sounds about 70% electric bass and 30% acoustic. Very unique.

It doesn’t sound like my Breedlove acoustic and it doesn’t sound anything like my Jack Casady bass either.

After I played with the EQ for a while, I realized I should play with my Empress Para EQ and my compressor.

So far, I’ve gotten some very percussive sounds that fit midway between electric and acoustic.

I was anxious to try different strings soon, but the way things are going, I’m going to leave the D’Addarios on and see how they mature.

I can hardly express how delighted I am with this bass, considering I had only heard it on videos.

More to come.

My advice: Buy one! :thumbsup:

Mike.
 
  • Like
Reactions: neil|lien
#15
OK, a little more than two years later, and I still love this bass.

I did switch the strings from the phosphor-bronze D'Addarios to regular Ernie Ball Slinkys, and they sound surprisingly warm.

I was going to put a set of Tomastik-Infield on but got lazy. I will try a set soon.

The fact that the body is chambered, it has an acoustic guitar-type bridge on it and I always use my Empress Para EQ and Boss Limiter adds to making this bass sound warm.

It really is a different-sounding bass, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a warm/woody/acoustic bass.

And so far, it has never fed back on me.

Mike :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: neil|lien
#16
Michael Jewels said:
OK, a little more than two years later, and I still love this bass.

I did switch the strings from the phosphor-bronze D'Addarios to regular Ernie Ball Slinkys, and they sound surprisingly warm.

I was going to put a set of Tomastik-Infield on but got lazy. I will try a set soon.

The fact that the body is chambered, it has an acoustic guitar-type bridge on it and I always use my Empress Para EQ and Boss Limiter adds to making this bass sound warm.

It really is a different-sounding bass, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a warm/woody/acoustic bass.

And so far, it has never fed back on me.

Mike :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I am thinking about getting one.. but space is limited and i can only have 2 basses at home.. so i am on the fence about taking the plundge...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back