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Fretless ESP
- Thread starter Flash Masterson
- Start date
I think we are probably the only ones here that even consider ESP. GO FOR IT. As far as specs, they are all pretty much the same. The cheap ones use agathis bodies and ESP humbuckers, the medium range uses ash bodies, sometimes basswood and come with passive emg hz, and the best use mahogany usually with EMG DC's. But, it's all good.
Does ESP make a production fretless? I know they used to but I haven't seen them on their website for a while. I ended up de-fretting a B-50 because I couldn't find one in fretless. I am very happy with the way that mine turned out. Lots of mwah and it feels really nce, especially considering it cost less than $200.00. I also have a fretted C-304 which I love. If I could find a fretless version of that bass, I would be the happiest guy around. I really like my ESP's and I feel that they are a very under-rated company. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
ESP is rather underrated in America...their custom shop produces some fantastic stuff...but the company still isn't too huge a name here (cept for metal players)...OTOH, ESP practically runs the guitar scene over in japan...huge huge name...I guess that's to be expected since it is a japanese company though 
so....nvm!
so....nvm!
I'd love an HG-Thor'd F series... w/ the crazy Epoxy'ing... I'd like to make it look as unlined as possible. Very MUTA.
I'm pretty sure they don't have any production fretless for the american market, aka the LTD line. They make fretless overseas brandishing the ESP logo, not LTD. But getting one, that's the tricky part. Let me know when you figure that one out. Does my heart good to see people praising the ESP name for once. And by the way BASS-SHY, MAJOR PROPS ONE THE C-304, that's the first bass I ever really wanted, because of that bass I have loved both ESP and EMG, amazing combination. I even had to drop some EMG HZ in my B-104 essentially making it a 204.
Steve DiGiorgio has a couple of custom ESP basses (I know he has at least two F-series 5 string fretlesses - one in green for normal tunings and one in black with a B string, plus he has at least one double-neck F series)
How much he paid would be key...I'm not sure how much he paid for them, but I'm sure it was more than $2000 USD for each, if it wasn't on an endorsement deal.
FWIW, his main fretless is an F-series bass with an EMG B64 EQ system, I believe active EMG soapbar pickups (40DC I'd assume), and an unlined ebony board. I'd assume the rest of the options would be ones included on a "standard" F255 bass - maple neck, agathis body (although Steve's fretless Carvin has a koa body) and the standard hardware.
How much he paid would be key...I'm not sure how much he paid for them, but I'm sure it was more than $2000 USD for each, if it wasn't on an endorsement deal.
FWIW, his main fretless is an F-series bass with an EMG B64 EQ system, I believe active EMG soapbar pickups (40DC I'd assume), and an unlined ebony board. I'd assume the rest of the options would be ones included on a "standard" F255 bass - maple neck, agathis body (although Steve's fretless Carvin has a koa body) and the standard hardware.
You can get anything you want from the custom shop, custom inlays, pickups&eq, fretless, you name it. But you better have the cash to go with it.
bigd4207 said:
Oh yes. There are so many basses I would love to have them build for me. I'd really like an exact copy of my C-304 in fretless. I guess I would need the cash first, though.
Thanks for the props, BTW. You must have great taste in basses.
Yeah that's right, just wave the C in my face why don't ya. 
Pix would be a little better, I miss those masterpeices. As far as taste, a lot would disagree, but ESPs are the first basses I thought looked good. I hate Fender with a passion. Pickgaurds, hell no, can't stand em. Thick un-flowing bodies, and then there's the headstocks..... FUGLY all around to me. But ESP's 
I wish they still made C's, or anybody commonly sold ESP. 
I realize musiciansfriend and places like that do, but my local shop has layaway. Recently bagged me an Ibanez EDA900 in candy appple sunburst to join my beloved B-104, which is the only bass I have ever owned up to this point. I loved the Ibanez in the store, but for some reason when I brought it home, it just wasn't the B I know and love so much, so I still have to pick it up every day, even though it cost less than half as much as the Ibanez. GOTTA SHOW THE LOVE TO MY BABY.
Pix would be a little better, I miss those masterpeices. As far as taste, a lot would disagree, but ESPs are the first basses I thought looked good. I hate Fender with a passion. Pickgaurds, hell no, can't stand em. Thick un-flowing bodies, and then there's the headstocks..... FUGLY all around to me. But ESP's I wish they still made C's, or anybody commonly sold ESP. I realize musiciansfriend and places like that do, but my local shop has layaway. Recently bagged me an Ibanez EDA900 in candy appple sunburst to join my beloved B-104, which is the only bass I have ever owned up to this point. I loved the Ibanez in the store, but for some reason when I brought it home, it just wasn't the B I know and love so much, so I still have to pick it up every day, even though it cost less than half as much as the Ibanez. GOTTA SHOW THE LOVE TO MY BABY. Yeah, I am actually thinking about saving up for a 30th B or if I really wanna do it right, the Araya Signature F. That's like 3 grand though. And I know I would wanna go waaaay overboard on a custom shop, so until I hit the lotto that's kinda out of the question. Why can't we all start out with like a million dollars in life, you know, like monopoly. 
...oh wait 
...oh wait 
