NBD - Backup bass for overseas flights (sleeper)

[TonyP-]

ESP LTD AP-5

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.

 

[TonyP-]

 

[TonyP-]

I think ESP are linked in to metal acts but it sounds killer for many styles.

 

[kesslari]

Cool! Enjoy.
My travel sleeper. Silly cheap, sounds ridiculously good and plays ridiculously well.
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[Mark76]

Can also be used as a bat in impromptu games of beach cricket

 

[tindrum]

ESP LTD AP-5

View attachment 3444746

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.

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.

 

[wvbass]

Cool! I was just looking at these this past weekend and thinking about all the boxes they check.

 

[garp]

Nice. And all this time, I thought that one had to get an Overwater for overseas work.

 

[TonyP-]

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.

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.

 

[TonyP-]

Cool! I was just looking at these this past weekend and thinking about all the boxes they check.

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).

 

[TonyP-]

Nice. And all this time, I thought that one had to get an Overwater for overseas work.

Ha Ha...

 

[TonyP-]

Cool! Enjoy.
My travel sleeper. Silly cheap, sounds ridiculously good and plays ridiculously well.

I had a Stieny back in the day...I regret getting rid of it.

 

[wvbass]

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).

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.

 

[BAG]

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.

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.

 

[TonyP-]

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.

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).

 

[TonyP-]

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.

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.

View attachment 3445274

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...

 

[BAG]

I got the idea from a Christchurch muso who did this when flying to the UK to record his latest album......


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[roller]

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

Cool! Enjoy.
My travel sleeper. Silly cheap, sounds ridiculously good and plays ridiculously well.
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[Dynacord]

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.

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...)

 

[JW56789]

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.

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