Fender Vs ESP

[CatchaCuda]

LTD, "the Squier of ESP". That's not a knock either. I really liked both of my LTD basses-B-50 and D-4. My D4 was at least on par with a Squier VM jazz 5. The B-50, I really enjoyed the PJ combo. Both played like margarine.

Do be aware that LTD does NOT sell parts.

 

[tpaul]

Pay attention to the difference in the neck profile. Pickups and bridges can be changed but you don't want to end up with a bass you don't play because the neck is too thin or thick, or the radius of the fretboard or the fret wire doesn't suit your preferences. If possible try an example of each side by side - it will be very obvious that the necks are not the same. Go with the one that fits your hand.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I just picked up the AP-5, the five string version of the AP-5 and have played numerous player series J's and P's, including the player V. The big difference is that the neck on the LTD is much flatter and thinner and the frets are bigger than the Fender. I think the EMGs outshine the Fender player series pups. Outside of those preferential differences on the neck though, I agree with many here that the LTD is a much better bang for buck, noting that the Fender will likely resell quicker/easier.

 

[wmhill]

ESP!!!!
forget about the fender

 

[Hypocrite]

I swear by my LTD's. Build and sound quality are amazing, even compared to Fenders and Warwicks at twice the price

 

[Sean150]

Get the LTD. I have 3 Fenders and love them all, especially my Flea Active Jazz bass in Shell Pink (which is definitely what I am bringing if I’m ever asked to play Metal specifically because its not black ) but I find that the Japanese companies are much better value for money (worth an American 1.5 to 2 times its price in my experience). If I walked in to my local store and one of those was on the wall I would be very tempted to but it.

That being said ESP/LTD is owned by Takamine who is one of the biggest names in acoustic guitars in country music so that may lower the Metal cred a few points .

JK buy it, I want to know what those ESP pickups are like

 

[JW56789]

Let's see: 6-bolt neck, genuine EMG PJ set, genuine Babicz bridge, ebony fingerboard, sealed keys. Get the one with the matching peghead in 'Aqua Velva Blue'. Or you could just buy a MIM Fender and spend 600 bucks to add the EMG's and the Babicz bridge.

Nope, I'd be all over the AB ESP and add the EMG BTC Control Set for active bass and treble and call it a day.

ESP is easily the most overlooked bass brand out there. Sure some of the shapes are a little different, but their more traditional basses are as good as anything out there.

 

[Savagehenry]

------------------
Lol-That video is one of the few reviews I can find on that particular bass.

Agree it sounds great-I wanted to start a thread to ask about ESP because honestly an attractive woman playing Metal on an all black bass um..."might" be swaying my decision just a bit.

Trying to make a decision on the actual instrument independent of the advertising (if that makes sense).

Thanks! \m/

Pic’s, or it didn’t happen.
Just sayin’....

 

[crguti]

it is LTD, not ESP. Same with Squier, not Fender.

 

[marchone]

Best bass for metal?

 

[CallMeAl]

The AP 4 came across my radar recently as a “P bass with a J neck,” and I really want to try one. I haven’t tried one, so my comments have no bearing on the quality comparison of the two. But looking at the specs...

I’m really curious what “Thin U” means. Usually “U” is thicker (front to back) than “modern C“ but that’s with Fenders. Your comment about not liking the Geddy cause it’s too thin would raise my eyebrows, so I’d try to figure out more about the LTD neck...

But the big thing I see is comparing a PJ bass in a P body, to a Jazz bass. I’ve come to highly prefer a P body; I even rejected 3 jazzes in a row to eventually get a Peavey with a P body and JJ pickups, cause I couldn’t get down with the ergonomics. (That’s all my personal preference, but something to think about.) And a Jazz can play metal, but a PJ seems so obvious. The P solo gives you many classic tones, and the PJ can get real snarly, downright nasty (ie not “happy” )

So in closing, we’ve spent a lot of time on these threads, your next thread* better be a NBD!

*Totally kidding. I get what you’re going through, and applaud your research. I’m just excited for you!

 

[SgtHulka]

I am an LTD AP5 player. Over my playing career this is my third LTD and all three, even the ones that at a lower price point have been very high quality. I see the crowd here prefers LTD for your situation, and I do as well.

A lot of people here have already said what I would tell you also but I just want to add a few minor things that might help you, being familiar with the instrument.

I can't necessarily speak for all players but once I discovered flatter radius fretboard my technique improved. I have found that flatter fretboards like on the APs lend themselves to much more precise fretting. The 7.5 radius of the Fenders are too much for me after playing these. It makes the neck chunkier and felt that it led my hand and fingers to some awkward positions where the flatter radius allowed me to keep an even position with all four fingers.

The other thing I really like about this instrument is the active pickups with the passive system. I honestly see no need to add a preamp. If I really need to make any changes I can do it from my head, but I have found that you can get a surprising amount of sounds from the passive setup. Because there's not a super strong power draw from an active preamp, the batteries in the bass last about 3,000 hours...not 200, which is much nicer in regards to constantly changing them and for peace of mind you're not going to fart out on a gig. (Not that you should with either).

I tend to do better with less knobs, but one of the really nice parts about the setup is that you can make adjustments on stage super quickly without any fussing about. Just a simple balance and tone that can do a surprising amount of variations on your sound.

And for you, the bigger frets are a godsend for a beginner and should make playing it super easy as well as a thinner front to back profile.

Finally when you put your hand on the back of your new bass and feel the neck you'll understand why the LTD is so good. Never found any Fender neck that felt that good.

Tony P, a pro on these boards, used the 5-string version as a backup to his Lull's on tour.

 

[Lobster11]

ESP has a really good reputation for Metal instruments, just not sure how they hold up from a longevity standpoint.

I don't understand your concern about longevity. More expensive basses don't "last longer" than less expensive ones.

I think you have your answer. I can't remember the last thread I read on TB where so many posters agreed on anything!

 

[johnson79]

LTD makes some really nice stuff. The Surveyor 87 bass looks great and has some really nice features.

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[dbamta]

Its funny how basses are typically compared to Fenders. That says a lot about fender

 

[BobDeRosa]

I'm no psychic, but I'm guessing that you'll go with the ESP.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I’m really curious what “Thin U” means. Usually “U” is thicker (front to back) than “modern C“ but that’s with Fenders. Your comment about not liking the Geddy cause it’s too thin would raise my eyebrows, so I’d try to figure out more about the LTD neck...
*Totally kidding. I get what you’re going through, and applaud your research. I’m just excited for you!

Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. The profile of the AP series is really similar to a neck I had that was modeled after the Geddy. I just want to stress that while it's popular, doesn't mean it's for everyone. I know I like a nice thicc early 60's P profile.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I own, and love, several Fender basses. They work for ME and what I need them for.

If I were you I would get that ESP six days a week and twice on Sundays. The tone and style you are looking for are pointing to that bass. There's bonrule that says you're "supposed to get a Fender"..... especially in the metal community.

Get the gear that YOU will geek out over within your budget. The more you love your gear, the more excited you'll be every time you pick it up.

The goal is NOT to walk the line on anyone else's opinion of what you should do (including me). The goal is to keep playing, and for your music to make you happy. If you think to yourself "$%&! Yeah!!!" every time you pick up your bass, you've picked the right bass.

Short version: The Fender seems to be an "obligation" to you.... something you have to talk yourself out of or into. The ESP seems like the bass you really like, but are worried about how others will accept. Given the choice, go with the second scenario.... every.... single.... time.

(By the way, there's just something about a black-on-black bass that will always be BA.)

‘great post!

 

[CallMeAl]

Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. The profile of the AP series is really similar to a neck I had that was modeled after the Geddy. I just want to stress that while it's popular, doesn't mean it's for everyone. I know I like a nice thicc early 60's P profile.

That’s good info thanks! Necks are the thing I’m probably most picky about when selecting a bass. If I order one online, I have to have a really good idea about what it will feel like

 

[LanEvo]

I’m an older guy. I’ve been impressed by ESP since I first played one in the mid-‘80s.

Back then, Fender was still struggling to make a decent product. ESP basically made Fender clones that were miles ahead in build quality, fit, and finish.

Today, my main players are both mid-‘80s ESP custom shop PBass variants. One is a Masayoshi Yamashiita “PPJ” signature. The other is a “48th St Custom Guitars” (which was basically a couple of guys from the ESP Custom Shop in Manhattan). They’re both incredibly good.

Having said that, by the start of the ‘90s Fender got their act together and started putting out great instruments again. Not much reason to go with a high-end clone these days IMNSHO.