• 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 VS Ibanez

J

Jack Sleaze

Aug 22, 2009
6
0
#1
Hello all,

I'm new here and looking for some advice and general opinion/feedback as I'm in the market for a new bass.

I'm sure it's been covered many times, but it's enough effort just trying to find the best deal, let alone a decent comparison! I've narrowed it down to probably being between an ESP LTD EC414FM or Ibanez ARTB100 (or similar)...the two look pretty much the same and with there being no local stockists I'm unable to try them for myself.

I play dirty, sleazy rock n roll (Motley Crue, Buckcherry, etc.) and am curently playing an Epiphone EB3, so used to issues such as the unbalanced weight.

I generally consider myself a Les Paul man, but with the Standard bass being discontinued it looks like I'm going to have to revert to a Japanese brand unless I hold out for a decent second hand one to become available.

So, what are people's opinions, comments, recommendations?
 
#5
Big difference in scale length! The ESP LTD is a standard 34" scale and the Ibanez is a 30" shortscale. Make sure you keep that in mind!! If you're already used to shortscale basses, you will have to adapt to the longer scale of the ESP.
The ESP is also likely to be heavier than the Ibanez but that might or might not make a difference to you.


Also-are you SURE the Les Paul is the "ONLY" bodystyle for you? If so, you are severely limiting your options because very few companies make basses in that bodystyle. If you're an anti-Fender-shape guy, thats cool but you should at least check out some other alternatives like T-birds for example. As I recall, Crue's bassist used Gibson T-Birds and similarly shaped basses (Hamers and Spectors) over a large part of his career. And currently has a sig T-bird made by Epiphone!

Hope this helps!

edit:I got interrupted while writing this reply-Madbassplaya said it better than I did and in fewer words!!
 
#6
thanks for the feedback so far,

yeah, I'm aware that Nikki Sixx plays a T-bird and has a couple of signature ones out now too but I'm really not a fan. Been looking on the ESP site and there's a handful of bands I'm in to endorsing them...

I bought the EB-3 purely on the basis that it was short-scale so yes, that would point toward the Ibanez, though I've had full-scale in the past so doesn't rule out the ESP.

There really don't appear to be many customer reviews of the ESP which isnt helpful.
 
#8
I'm not sure how long that ESP has been offering that model. That could explain the lack of reviews.

IMO< given that the ESP has full fledged EMG pickups, I'd probably go that route. I'm also not a big fan of shortscales so that would also point me toward the ESP.

But hey-its your choice. the only REAL advice I can give you is to find a way to try those basses before you buy them.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!
 
#11
Apologies, mine is infact an EBo.

The Les paul Standard bass is not listed on the gibson website, and any stores still listing it have it as 'out of stock' or 'discontiunued'. The special is listed but to me it looks like a poor imitation of a decent LP

Back on topic, from the sounds of it, the hardware on the ESP is better (and has a nicer finish IMO), but I may prefer the build of the Ibanez. Why can't there be a happy combination of the two?!
 
#12
Though they're very versatile and have all around tone, When I hear the brand name ESP => HeavyRock/Metal/Thrash/anything that will blow your ears.....

It's because it's being used widely for those types of music in Japan and they do it very well.
 
#16
yeah, the ESP is a couple of hundred pounds more, but I'll probably be buying on an intrest free finance plan so real issue there - would rather pay for quality first time around rather than upgrading in a few years.

In response to the other post, it is a LTD, but as I don't know much about these brands I don't know how that would affect quality - are we talking Gibson to Epiphone i.e. Epiphone is still a quality guitar, or Fender to Squier in which case only really for beginners?
 
#19
If some of your favorite bands are endorsed by esp and that's the kind of sound you want then it sounds like you know your answer. I have an esp guitar and they are very high quality. I have yet to try there basses but I think couldn't imagine myself being disappointed in them. My vote is esp.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back