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My new (to me) ESP J-five!

#21
Argh! Damn you, Jimmykicker!

You got me looking around at ESPs and LTDs and I came across this on sale new for $249 (from $399 retail).

Link Removed

I was holding out until after the holidays for an Epi Classic IV Pro T-Bird (but I've been gassing for a PJ too). I didn't need to see this!
 
#23
That ESP is a thing of beauty. I've come to really respect ESP and LTD fender-styled instruments.

Mosstone said:
Argh! Damn you, Jimmykicker!

You got me looking around at ESPs and LTDs and I came across this on sale new for $249 (from $399 retail).

Link Removed

I was holding out until after the holidays for an Epi Classic IV Pro T-Bird (but I've been gassing for a PJ too). I didn't need to see this!
Click to expand...

Buy it now! I've got the fretless version of that same bass. It smokes the squire's and comes very close to MIM fender. Worth every penny at retail, but on sale like that, it's an unbeatable deal.
 
#24
Eilif said:
That ESP is a thing of beauty. I've come to really respect ESP and LTD fender-styled instruments.



Buy it now! I've got the fretless version of that same bass. It smokes the squire's and comes very close to MIM fender. Worth every penny at retail, but on sale like that, it's an unbeatable deal.
Click to expand...

[sigh..] I would, but I just had to buy a new computer this week (unexpectedly) and with Christmas coming, I just can't justify buying a new bass (to the wife). Even for a killer deal like that.

That, and my GAS for the T-Bird I was planning to buy after the holidays is just a little stronger. And I predict I'll still have some 'splaining to do when I bring that one home.
 
#25
Mosstone said:
Argh! Damn you, Jimmykicker!

You got me looking around at ESPs and LTDs and I came across this on sale new for $249 (from $399 retail).

Link Removed

I was holding out until after the holidays for an Epi Classic IV Pro T-Bird (but I've been gassing for a PJ too). I didn't need to see this!
Click to expand...

Haha. I'm not sorry! I was looking at one of these too. But the 5 version. Nice bass. Passive too which I have come to appreciate. Most of the time I find I don't really need the active bass since I have most control with either my processor or the amp itself. I almost bought one at that price point but decided against it since I am trying to reduce the number. Not increase it. :). I'd like to get a 6 string and also a fretless. They don't have to be high quality either. Just playable.
 
#26
How are the pups on the 214? I've heard some people say it sounds kinda 'blah'. I'm not opposed to swapping out the pickups... I've done it on almost every guitar/bass I've ever owned. It would just be nice to buy a cheap bass for once, that sounded great right out of the box.

I'm feeling kind of torn between a P-bass and the Epi T-Bird Classic IV Pro. I REALLY want the T-Bird, but I can't stop thinking about laying down some funky Jamerson groove on a P with flats!
 
#27
Mosstone said:
How are the pups on the 214? I've heard some people say it sounds kinda 'blah'. I'm not opposed to swapping out the pickups... I've done it on almost every guitar/bass I've ever owned. It would just be nice to buy a cheap bass for once, that sounded great right out of the box.

I'm feeling kind of torn between a P-bass and the Epi T-Bird Classic IV Pro. I REALLY want the T-Bird, but I can't stop thinking about laying down some funky Jamerson groove on a P with flats!
Click to expand...

They are better than your average p-bass clone. Punchy, perhaps slightly overwound ceramic pups made by G&B who supplies alot of foreign makers. I later popped in a set of Geezers. There was a definite improvement and I love the geezers, but it wasn't as dramatic as I assumed it would be.

Sorry if that's not as concrete as you might like, but I think it sounds fine out of the box.
 
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#28
Eilif said:
They are better than your average p-bass clone. Punchy, perhaps slightly overwound ceramic pups made by G&B who supplies alot of foreign makers. I later popped in a set of Geezers. There was a definite improvement and I love the geezers, but it wasn't as dramatic as I assumed it would be.

Sorry if that's not as concrete as you might like, but I think it sounds fine out of the box.
Click to expand...

That's a fine description. Sounds like its similar to Squier VM pickups. I think they're 'good', but you can do better.

I've been curious about the Geezers after reading all the buzz going around. If I'm being honest, I'll most likely end up dropping a set of those into whatever I buy.
 
#29
Appologies to jimmykicker for the continued tangeting of your topic. That said....

Mosstone said:
That's a fine description. Sounds like its similar to Squier VM pickups. I think they're 'good', but you can do better.
Click to expand...
That's a pretty good comparison. I think that the stock sound is better than Squire VM and CV instruments, but it's not too dramatic a difference.
Mosstone said:
I've been curious about the Geezers after reading all the buzz going around. If I'm being honest, I'll most likely end up dropping a set of those into whatever I buy.
Click to expand...
It's entirely likely that you may be happy with the stock sound. The situation I find is that it can be hard to leave it stock when their is a great sounding, quality, cheap (relatively speaking) and easy-to-install set like the Geezers available. I don't see my self buying any more P-basses anytime soon, but there's almost no reason (except outstanding tone) that I'd leave the stock P or P/J pups in any sub-$700 instrument when I can get pretty much guaranteed cheap-and-easy improvement with some Geezers.
 
#32
Resurrecting the dead here I know. I sold this bass back in 2019ish stupidly. I found out how much better I play with wide spacings and the j is just too tight. However, I started playing pick style with a band some and realized a narrow 5 is the shiz for that. I thought, what's the best sounding and playing narrow 5 I've ever played? Oh yeah. The j-five! So, knowing that bass wasn't an option, I bought another one almost identical to it off GC's website. I then showed my friend that bought the bass the pictures and he said that since he now had a sponsor he would have sold me mine back! Doh! He loves this thing as much as i do. I never thought he'd sell it back to me. Should have asked!! So I went and picked it up, took it apart to clean it, put new strings and broke one of the tuners. Doh again! I had a good one that works till I get some matching ones. One other was wrong anyways. It was pitted and definitely Chinese stuff. None of that for this old girl. Got two NOS Gotoh that match. Bought an ESP case for it. Glad for it to be home. Sucky part is having to return this other one. It's badass too. That's the OG on the right. Active electronics. EMG. The new one doesn't have that. It's passive. REALLY happy for the OG to be home.
 

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#33
Even a lot of ESP/LTD basses are very good, and jen-u-wine MIJ ESP are among the best built instruments out there, period. I always say that most any ESP is the most overlooked bass brand out there.

Real MIJ, exceptional build, EMG under the hood, what's not to like?

A real sleeper, Congratulations. When Steely reformed in the 90's, then road-band SD bassist Tom Barney played the hell out of these behind some famously demanding ears. Great axe !
 
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