NBD - Backup bass for overseas flights (sleeper)

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by TonyP-, Jun 13, 2019.

  1. TonyP-

    TonyP- Excuse me but you have your I-IV-V in my II-V-I Gold Supporting Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Boston Mass
    A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
    ESP LTD AP-5

    C82CC885-6703-4E86-AF73-62CFCB41CA4E.jpeg

    I don't really want to take a chance on flying with a check in Lull after dealing with damage before with the airlines. So I pickup import purely on specs. The ESP AP-5 was in the lead so I picked one up and it actually great.

    One of the best 34" B-strings I heard (not sure if its partially due to the Babicz, bridge or not, but I'm guessing its taking a major roll in that).


    This bass is a complete sleeper.
     
  2. TonyP-

    TonyP- Excuse me but you have your I-IV-V in my II-V-I Gold Supporting Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Boston Mass
    A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
  3. TonyP-

    TonyP- Excuse me but you have your I-IV-V in my II-V-I Gold Supporting Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Boston Mass
    A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
    I think ESP are linked in to metal acts but it sounds killer for many styles.
     
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  4. kesslari

    kesslari Groovin' with the Fusion Cats Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2007
    Santa Cruz Mtns, California
    Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
    Cool! Enjoy.
    My travel sleeper. Silly cheap, sounds ridiculously good and plays ridiculously well.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Mark76

    Mark76

    Dec 1, 2015
    Leicester
    Can also be used as a bat in impromptu games of beach cricket :D
     
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  6. tindrum

    tindrum Supporting Member

    May 2, 2007
    Suffolk, VA
    I like everything about that bass. Looks awesome! ESP stuff often falls under the "sleeper" category. You're right they do get lumped in with the metal crowd. Your bass doesn't look "metal" to me at all. Rather it has a classic, vintage look about it.
     
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  7. wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
    Cool! I was just looking at these this past weekend and thinking about all the boxes they check.
     
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  8. garp

    garp

    Feb 7, 2009
    Connecticut USA
    Nice. And all this time, I thought that one had to get an Overwater for overseas work. ;)
     
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  9. TonyP-

    TonyP- Excuse me but you have your I-IV-V in my II-V-I Gold Supporting Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Boston Mass
    A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
    Thanks @tindrum
    Kind of classic but hot-rodded a bit. - EMGs, Babicz bridge, Ebony over a Rosewood board...and the cutaway is smooth for upper register access.

    For what these are running it was a no brainier.
     
    tindrum likes this.
  10. TonyP-

    TonyP- Excuse me but you have your I-IV-V in my II-V-I Gold Supporting Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Boston Mass
    A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
    For me this as close as I was going to get for the price.
    -I would have loved 35" BUT for a 34" it was close and most certainly one of the best 34" B strings I have ever heard (or felt).
    -Nordstrands would have been nice as well ;) but the EMGs sound good.
    -Its 19mm (which most people prefer) I would have liked 18mm like a Lull but in reality its not a big deal.

    This was the best bass 'for this price point' I have ever tried / owned.

    I was thinking J-5 which 35" scale, but they are out of stock at this time.
    Its a Rosewood board not ebony, I would have to put a preamp in, and route for a battery, not to mention I kind of was leaning to a PJ or J this time. (I have J basses covered in spades).
     
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  11. TonyP-

    TonyP- Excuse me but you have your I-IV-V in my II-V-I Gold Supporting Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Boston Mass
    A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
    Ha Ha...:p
     
  12. TonyP-

    TonyP- Excuse me but you have your I-IV-V in my II-V-I Gold Supporting Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Boston Mass
    A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
    I had a Stieny back in the day...I regret getting rid of it.
     
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  13. wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
    I didn’t realize it was 19mm. I like that on a four, but I struggle with it on a five. It still looks like a whole lotta bass for the price, though. A perfect backup.
     
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  14. BAG

    BAG

    May 5, 2014
    New Zealand
    It sounds like you've gotten a great deal on a bass that, if it were to get damaged, won't upset you too much..... unless of course you really bond with it and decide it is also too good to get damaged. :laugh:

    We just flew back into NZ last night after playing at a festival in Australia. I was fine as our drummer over there is one of the best bass players I've ever known (which caused some nerves for me) and her main band was also at the festival so I didn't take a bass and just used hers.

    My daughter on the other hand had to fly with her beloved Mini Maton. We've had a few guitars damaged over the years, one completely destroyed, so she tried something different this time (photo below) and it appeared to work, even getting a response from the baggage handlers on the way back home.

    20190614_131959.jpg
     
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  15. TonyP-

    TonyP- Excuse me but you have your I-IV-V in my II-V-I Gold Supporting Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Boston Mass
    A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
    I’m in the same camp.
    I prefer a slightly tighter spacing as well. Even on a 4 string with a Schaller bridge I bring it in a little with the rollers in a bit.

    With that being said for a 19mm bass it was easier then some other 19mm bass I have tired (Maybe because of the nut width, not sure).
     
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  16. TonyP-

    TonyP- Excuse me but you have your I-IV-V in my II-V-I Gold Supporting Member

    Aug 21, 2003
    Boston Mass
    A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
    Hi BAG
    That note is a great idea...I done similiar things but on surfboard bags.
    Hi please be easy with me ect...But never a bass.

    These basses are a tool to me so as crazy as this sounds to some, I actually ordered another one lol...

    Yep a second one ;)
    Probably leave it at a rehersal studio ect...
     
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  17. BAG

    BAG

    May 5, 2014
    New Zealand
    I got the idea from a Christchurch muso who did this when flying to the UK to record his latest album......


    [​IMG]
     
  18. roller

    roller Supporting Member

    Mar 30, 2014
    The Hohner thru-body Steinberger copies are ridiculously fantastic instruments... so well-built... sound killer... tough as nails... great players... and yes, absolute bargains.

     
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  19. As it's for overseas flights probably better having the option that's not rosewood. Even with all being legit, best to avoid any potential CITES confusion (IMO...)
     
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  20. JW56789

    JW56789 Guest

    Feb 18, 2017
    ESP is easily the most overlooked of the 'other' basses. I'd expect this one to have a good 'B' what with the ebony fingerboard (harder which always helps low B's, not to mention it's backup for the truss rod) and the P pickup, which to me just loves those big B-strings. Smart hardware selection, and EMG's with a straight tone knob, easily upgraded to a BTS (volume/balancer/stacked bass and treble cut/boost). I'd have preferred 18v, but then they didn't ask me . . . . . one of the best 'Fender-ish' fives I can think of, and a great buy at $895.

    AP-5
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2019
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