Take it from me, I've played ESP for 7+ years and I've finally switched to a different brand and custom and I'm much happier. Here's the deal with most ESP/Ltd's; the less money you spend, the better off you are. The reason to this, ESP made very amazing instruments 10-15 years ago but now since they are a bigger name company they started selling the cheaper stuff. So, you spending $1800 on an ESP when you can get similar quality from a $300-$400 ESP/Ltd is ridiculous. To get a good ESP, you need to go custom and spend upwards of $6000. I paid roughly around $700 for my custom and its got the same if not more upgrades as an ESP custom. You pay for the name. That's how retail works. And also, in my opinion, active pickups for bass are complete crap. My custom has passive pickups with a 3-way selector and coil-tap and it kicks active out of the water. And another thing with ESP is that their hardware isn't the best on any model that isn't custom. You'll be fine with the tuner pegs, but the bridge and 1/4 input suck 80% of the time on ESP.
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Going from traben to esp, need advice
- Thread starter zachreh
- Start date
If you want it that bad, then get it.
I do agree with those that are saying it's a lot of money. I would rather have the Gibson for that much, and with the money left over you could always add the electronics to it. If it was noninvasive, if you ever want to sell it you'd just slap the old stuff back in and the resale value would be much higher.
I do agree with those that are saying it's a lot of money. I would rather have the Gibson for that much, and with the money left over you could always add the electronics to it. If it was noninvasive, if you ever want to sell it you'd just slap the old stuff back in and the resale value would be much higher.
i seriously am gassing for the LTD Phoenix as well, i will be adding one of these to my arsenal soon, Pat Bruders from DOWN and EyeHateGod uses one of these and they sound Great! the LTD instruments are very nice and highly underated. as far as the Tbirds in a heavy setting, you'd also have nothing to worry about there, nothing at all!!
thats really interesting, I cant believe ESP changed like that over the years. I have do disagree with the active pickups part. I played some nice fender basses and they did sond nice but the seymour duncan phase 2 soapbars and preamp I put in my traben sound very amazing. Check out the link I posted at the begining of the thred to hear it
I'm not gonna lie, when that intro was playing and you guys were swaying back and forth and not playing any music I was so prepared to hate your band. BUT, even though it's not really my type of music, your bass cut through the mix and despite youtube's crappy audio I thought you sounded awesome.
2 suggestions:
1) If you like the Traben feel and the sound you're getting, you could replace the hardware with high quality aftermarket stuff from Hipshot, and replace the pot/wiring/knobs with something sturdier. This is probably what I would do because you've already invested a bit in changing the electronics, etc and I can tell you loved this bass even if you're frustrated with it now.
2) if you like the look and feel of that ESP, check out the Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V in black. Looks the same, neck-through body construction, active pickups/EQ. It's essentially got all the same features you're looking for and you can get one for $350-$400 used (just make sure you wait for a black one with the strap button on the back of the neck, the first gen had strap buttons on the body and had neck dive, but the newer ones don't).
Don't get hung up on brand names, there are some mediocre basses out there with great names on them and there are some spectacular basses out there without great names. My opinion is that Epiphones in general get you a great bang for your buck and there are a couple models that are world class, this is one of them.
And with all the money I saved by not getting the ESP I would put chrome Hipshot hardware on it, change the modern tuners to Hipshot Ultralight elephant ear tuners, and put DR Red Devil strings on it...
In fact, I just might go out and do this for myself this week.
In fact, I just might go out and do this for myself this week.
Yeah, I guess it just depends on the person. I've always either had bad luck with active pickups or they never seem to drive as much as I'd hope. And I guess it all depends on what kind of actives you're using or what kind of passive you're using. One thing I'll say though, if you're going to do active, do not do EMG's they really do suck and provide a very muddy tone and sound. I would check out something like Bartolini, Dimarzio, Delano, or Cephius Alpha/Beta
I'm going to disagree with you there, but I do agree with your experience with EMG. Mine weren't muddy, but they never cut through a mix no matter what I did with the preamp or the eq on the amp.
EMG's can sound great. Many killer bass tones have been laid down using them. Alice In Chains, Queensryche, Pantera, etc. Granted they're all using a Spector loaded with EMG's. I've got one and there is absolutely nothing muddy about it and they don't suck.
I don't believe that DiMarzio or Bartolini even make active pickups. Not sure on the others off the top of my head.
Yeah, I just don't even like active. I'll just stick to the Cephius Alpha/Beta, they work great for me.
I don't play that kind of music anymore, but a lot of people around here used to use Spectors. I don't exactly know what they used. If I had to guess it would be something from the Legend series, but if I had 1800ish dollars to buy a new bass I certainly wouldn't buy that bass you posted.
Especially considering you could get something like this instead
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/spector-euro-4-lx-4-string-bass
On a side note. Is that Rocket Town in South Florida? We have that same venue in Nashville spelled the same and everything, but the stage in the video did not look at all similar to me.
Especially considering you could get something like this instead
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/spector-euro-4-lx-4-string-bass
On a side note. Is that Rocket Town in South Florida? We have that same venue in Nashville spelled the same and everything, but the stage in the video did not look at all similar to me.
Everybody has their favorites, but most people go for the ol' US NS-2 or Euro 4.
Yes
you have the main rocketown in TN with the bigger, nicer stage. Ours is smaller but I still love it. This is still my first experience getting booked with my band, im 19 in college and have a job but playing bass will always be my passion and I want to take my band as far as it will go.Anyways, yes I know spectors are great basses and overall more popular and well known. I might get some crap for this but I saw attack attack (the hated scene band) last week and they were actually really great and I do like some of their songs. Their bassist had a black ESP phoenix bass that sonded really awesome. I know ESP will never be the most popular basses but the build quality and sound seems promising. like I said before I upgraded my pickups and preamp to active SD phase 2 soapbars that sound really great and im wondering how the EMG DC's in the ESP will compare. thanks for all the replies and please keep them comming you guys help out so much
Ok, so let me see if I can summarize this thread...
you have one of the later, low quality trabens. The problems you quote are faulty tuners, loose knobs, and finish wearing on the bridge. The solution to these are pretty simple. New tuners are cheap. A little liquid cement on the knobs would solve that issue, and either a readily available bridge or clear coat will remedy that problem.
You say you want to keep the traben for shows, and you live the way it sounds, so you will obviously be addressing these issues
BUT...you are very specific about wanting an ESP Phoenix, and seem to want us all to agree that this would be a good bass for you
Wouldn't it just have been easier to just admit that you want to justify buying another bass? Many of us have been there, and have rationalized ways to justify owning more basses than we really need.
so let's put it this way... IF you are on your own, paying all your own bills, and can afford an expensive bass, Good for you. I hope you are happy with whatever choice you make
IF you are relying on your parents for the finances to get through college, and this will ultimately cost them, then your own priorities need to be addressed. If this is the case, maybe you should be asking them if they buy into your "rockstar" dreams, and if they believe that their money is better spent making you look good on stage, of if it is better spent helping you get a degree
you have one of the later, low quality trabens. The problems you quote are faulty tuners, loose knobs, and finish wearing on the bridge. The solution to these are pretty simple. New tuners are cheap. A little liquid cement on the knobs would solve that issue, and either a readily available bridge or clear coat will remedy that problem.
You say you want to keep the traben for shows, and you live the way it sounds, so you will obviously be addressing these issues
BUT...you are very specific about wanting an ESP Phoenix, and seem to want us all to agree that this would be a good bass for you
Wouldn't it just have been easier to just admit that you want to justify buying another bass? Many of us have been there, and have rationalized ways to justify owning more basses than we really need.
so let's put it this way... IF you are on your own, paying all your own bills, and can afford an expensive bass, Good for you. I hope you are happy with whatever choice you make
IF you are relying on your parents for the finances to get through college, and this will ultimately cost them, then your own priorities need to be addressed. If this is the case, maybe you should be asking them if they buy into your "rockstar" dreams, and if they believe that their money is better spent making you look good on stage, of if it is better spent helping you get a degree
Good points. For me the the traben becamed a big problem after the tuners broke last week. Ive had quality problems like this ever since I owned the bass. The last issue made it clear that I should start looking for a new one if that makes any sence. I do not plan to buy the ESP soon, im saving for december with my own money, not my parents. Im also learning how to really budget and manage my own money to pay for gas and food inbetween paycheks which is also new for me.
I dont want to make any stupid purchases and I really want to invest in that bass so I hope that answers the question
most of us have been in your position, and had to learn the same lessons. It is sometimes rough, but such is life. For what it is worth, I wish you the best.
I suspect that if you are just learning to budget, an expensive bass is not going to be an immediate concern, no matter how much you may want it. I often make jokes about my college days, claiming that cheep beer and ramen noodles were the normal fare, so I could afford race car parts. It was worth it, in the long run, but being broke does suck, when you want to have fun.
Just a thought. IF you do like the traben (aside from the quality issues, of course), watch ebay for a old traben Kore (that is KORE, spelled with a K, not a newer Core, spelled with a C). The early Kores were neck through, and had the flamed bridge like a phoenix, but without the flamed fretboard inlays. They are somewhat rare, because not many were made, and they were expensive, but they do pop up every once in a while. Some of them came with SD pups installed, and quality was very high.
Mine is heavy, but that is the only complaint I have ever had with it. If you have never seen one, let me know, and I will post a pic of mine
I suspect that if you are just learning to budget, an expensive bass is not going to be an immediate concern, no matter how much you may want it. I often make jokes about my college days, claiming that cheep beer and ramen noodles were the normal fare, so I could afford race car parts. It was worth it, in the long run, but being broke does suck, when you want to have fun.
Just a thought. IF you do like the traben (aside from the quality issues, of course), watch ebay for a old traben Kore (that is KORE, spelled with a K, not a newer Core, spelled with a C). The early Kores were neck through, and had the flamed bridge like a phoenix, but without the flamed fretboard inlays. They are somewhat rare, because not many were made, and they were expensive, but they do pop up every once in a while. Some of them came with SD pups installed, and quality was very high.
Mine is heavy, but that is the only complaint I have ever had with it. If you have never seen one, let me know, and I will post a pic of mine
sweet I had no idea trapen made a bass like that ill keep that in mind, thanks for the tips
the top bass is the early style Chaos. that one has serial number T00258
the middle is a neck through Kore 5. Serial number T00059. It took me a while to find this one, but it is exactly what I wanted, and it gets a lot of use. It's bulletproof
the bottom one is a custom shop phoenix. Custom shop models do not have serial numbers. it came with that bone nut, SD pups and an 18 volt preamp
I like the early model trabens, but you could not run fast enough to give me one that doesn't have a serial number beginning with the letter T
the middle is a neck through Kore 5. Serial number T00059. It took me a while to find this one, but it is exactly what I wanted, and it gets a lot of use. It's bulletproof
the bottom one is a custom shop phoenix. Custom shop models do not have serial numbers. it came with that bone nut, SD pups and an 18 volt preamp
I like the early model trabens, but you could not run fast enough to give me one that doesn't have a serial number beginning with the letter T
