ESP or Vintera II 60's Jazz Bass????

[Radikulture]

Hello Bassheads ... Great to be here again after a long Internet Blackout ))
A week ago i Exchanged my ESP BTL STD 2007 or 2009 Bass With A vintera Jazz bass ... Both basses are great But Esp is made in japan with Great BASS LINES pickups and neck through body and overall it's a METAL Bass .but the jazz bass on the other hand is just a very Good jazz bass and im very comfy with it ... im a vintage type of guy ... never truly liked active pickups idk why... my friend told me i can play with jazz bass for a while to see if i like it more than Esp ... I love both basses but the jazz bass feels more like home for me ... What do you think about this matter? should i Keep tha jazz bass? or Esp is a treasure im giving it away???? Please Help

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Hello Bassheads ... Great to be here again after a long Internet Blackout ))

Good to have you back!!

What do you think about this matter? should i Keep tha jazz bass? or Esp is a treasure im giving it away???? Please Help

From a resale standpoint, maybe the ESP would appreciate in value more since it's MiJ, unlike the Vintera jazz.

Given you like the feel and all of the jazz bass, it sounds like you should keep the Jazz hands-down. In terms of playing/enjoying it, all that matters is how you feel about it. Keep the jazz, you can basically play any genre known to humanity with it and sound great. I love my active Ibbys too, but there's just something special about the Jazz and Precision basses, every bassist should own at least one of them.

 

[hvymetallurgist]

I wouldn't sweat the details - if you've found an instrument that feels like home and has electronics you vibe better with, you're way ahead of the curve compared to many.

 

[Radikulture]

I wouldn't sweat the details - if you've found an instrument that feels like home and has electronics you vibe better with, you're way ahead of the curve compared to many.

Wow ... so i have to stick to my guts and the jazz bass then Thanks man <3

 

[Radikulture]

Good to have you back!!


From a resale standpoint, maybe the ESP would appreciate in value more since it's MiJ, unlike the Vintera jazz.

Given you like the feel and all of the jazz bass, it sounds like you should keep the Jazz hands-down. In terms of playing/enjoying it, all that matters is how you feel about it. Keep the jazz, you can basically play any genre known to humanity with it and sound great. I love my active Ibbys too, but there's just something special about the Jazz and Precision basses, every bassist should own at least one of them.

Yeah i kinda already made my choice man... Jazz Bass It is Then ✔❤

 

[Jugghaid]

I would absolutely not trade a Japanese ESP for a Mexican Fender.

A USA Fender, maybe.

 

[Radikulture]

I would absolutely not trade a Japanese ESP for a Mexican Fender.

A USA Fender, maybe.

Is that your Personal Preference Sir?

 

[DuluthDank]

I would absolutely not trade a Japanese ESP for a Mexican Fender.

A USA Fender, maybe.

In terms of conventional wisdom, and also my personal experiences, it's generally a step down in build quality. But personal experience with an instrument is the most important.

I'd probably look to move from a MIJ ESP to maybe a Bacchus J style bass, or at least an MIJ Fender. But I'm a real sucker for Japanese build quality and tend not to bond with MIM fenders. But that's me, not the OP.

At the end of the day, go with your hands and ears....

 

[rockear]

Is that your Personal Preference Sir?

I think it's more the fact that a Japanese ESP is worth quite a bit more in monetary terms than a Mexican Fender. Maybe almost double. If that doesn't matter to you then it's nothing to worry about.

 

[One Way]

Let me provide the TalkBass answer, keep both

 

[thrashingbass]

Quality does not matter as much as if an instrument meshes with you. Stick with what you love and inspires you the most.

MiJ ESP are more rare to be sure, but if it's about playing, not "investing", it's about what sounds and plays best for you and your music.

That stated... there is no "metal bass", and the BTL, while most certainly on the "modern" side, doesn't "look metal" to me. You could play anything with the BTL with most people not caring. The Jackson Concert bass, ESP F series, and many, many others look more "br00tal" than the BTL. ESP is not "metal", it's just decades long association with many metal music players. Play what you want, how you want, for what you need.

Ironically received an LTD Surveyor 87 today, so not at the build quality level of the cited ESP above, but couldn't look more traditional. It however still is considered "metal" because it is what it is. Haven't had the time to mess with it much, but it seems perfect, even if made by Cort-Tek.

Enjoy the Vintera! I *love* my Vintera P bass, do not care it is made in Mexico. Awesome stuff.

 

[jutty17]

Keep the one that sounds and feels best to you and fits the kind of music you play. A guitar is a tool. Always use the right tool for the job!

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

It's not an even trade--your ESP is worth far far more. I think original MSRP for BTL 5 was around $3.5k compared to $1.2k for the Vintera! If you truly enjoy playing on the Vintera jazz more, then I'd suggest either selling the ESP and buying the Vintera (you'll have funds left over) or ask for money on top of the trade.

 

[Jugghaid]

Is that your Personal Preference Sir?

More of an objective evaluation of the two instruments. The ESP is a much higher quality bass and a more expensive one.

Subjectively, if you prefer a Jazz Bass, by all means get one. But I would go for a higher end one from a value perspective.

 

[brushfirewolf]

ESP.

For absolutely no other reason other than Fender burying the truss rod nut to keep it "period correct"

 

[Radikulture]

More of an objective evaluation of the two instruments. The ESP is a much higher quality bass and a more expensive one.

Subjectively, if you prefer a Jazz Bass, by all means get one. But I would go for a higher end one from a value perspective.

i know what you're saying...but in iran pricings are rediculous... an american standard second hand in iran is something around 4 or 5 k$ if im being honest ... and believe me many players don't even realize how good that ESP bass is... i know that vintera is way affordable than BTL ...And i have no choice but sticking to the tight market of what iran offers... who doesn't want a high end bass for another high end one??? i kinda have no choice sir

 

[Dincrest]

I've been in those situations where I had a higher-end bass and a lower-end bass and I ended up grabbing for the lower-end one because it was far mroe comfortable for me to play. I kept getting stuck in my head that "higher end bass is better, I need to love it better, everyone thinks it's the best bass ever, objectively it may be the best bass ever... but why don't I like it?!?!?!" I've also traded higher-end basses toward "lesser" basses because those happened to fit me better.

It's like when you're dating someone who isn't your type, but you're really happy with them... yet your brain sometimes sabotages you into obsessing over the "but they're not my type" part rather than the "I'm really happy" part. Sometimes we need to just think less and feel more. Allow ourselves to let go and simply be happy.

Eventually I just let go, listened to my body and soul, and let my inner Auryn guide me (referencing "let the Auryn guide you" from The NeverEnding Story). Sometimes it's better to disconnect and NOT let all our voices on TalkBass fill your head up with fiddle-faddle to the point where you lose sight of what's really important (to quote An Extremely Goofy Movie).

It could be argued that my two main basses are "inferior" to some of the higher-end stuff that's passed through my hands, but I know they're ride-or-die companions.

Go figure, I love ESP and LTD basses (my favorite bass is a modded LTD HTB-600) and have never been able to get comfortable with Jazz basses (I like Jazz necks, but their bodies don't nestle against me the way I like) so I would have chosen the ESP. But that's just me speaking from my perspective based on what I've grown to like in basses. I don't know you, your circumstances, or what you value in a bass... but it sounds like the Vintera Jazz fits you better.

 

[Fondsdale]

A brand new ESP like yours is like $2.5k USD.

No way I'd do that trade, unless it's damaged or something.

ESP has some of the best build quality on the planet. MIM Fender, not so much.

 

[_jojo_bass]

ESP and MIM Fender both have their respective reputations. Its super instrument to instrument because 1 out of every few hundred can be equally as great or not so great.

I ended up getting rid of a bunch of higher end P basses for my Vintera II P bass, simply because the quality was so top notch. I'd put current MIM quality above USA purely based on value and owning a few "Post Covid" era fenders.

If I were a more classic bass guy, and I am, I wouldnt be caught dead playing that ESP hahaha

 

[Yahboy]

Hello Bassheads ... Great to be here again after a long Internet Blackout ))
A week ago i Exchanged my ESP BTL STD 2007 or 2009 Bass With A vintera Jazz bass ... Both basses are great But Esp is made in japan with Great BASS LINES pickups and neck through body and overall it's a METAL Bass .but the jazz bass on the other hand is just a very Good jazz bass and im very comfy with it ... im a vintage type of guy ... never truly liked active pickups idk why... my friend told me i can play with jazz bass for a while to see if i like it more than Esp ... I love both basses but the jazz bass feels more like home for me ... What do you think about this matter? should i Keep tha jazz bass? or Esp is a treasure im giving it away???? Please Help

Keep the one that work for you, and sell the one you didn't liking with.

ESP Japan has better resale value, but no everyone brand especially outside US .I believe she can sell faster and easier at least at 1)2 of the used price tag.