NBD - Backup bass for overseas flights (sleeper)

[TonyP-]

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...)

That’s a good point actually.

 

[TonyP-]

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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Agree that the P works better sometimes better on (for me a shorter scale 5) then a J because the pickick Up is slightly further back then the position of the J.
This would cause place the pickup over tighter section of the string,’with a tighter vibration.

I think this is good if you have s hard technique (like me) I play like a ape who just drank a Red Bull.

Ok maybe not that hard but you get the picture.
34” scale J basses don’t work out for me so well.
Yes the 1” makes the difference to me...

 

[TonyP-]

Quick disclaimer for the mods who have had conversations with before, with my about my endorsements.

I have no affiliation at all with ESP and I actually purchased both basses as open boxes through Musicians Friend for $577 to my door.

 

[TonyP-]

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 . . . .m

Good point.
What I will be doing is adding EMG gain booster that I believe is found as a guitar accessories on their site.
It comes with a switch or you can order it switchless (which is what I did)

It can add up 20db Of gain.
I probably just need a couple more DB then the stock active pickups, because I come into my pedal board at the same signal/volume level as my other basses.
So if I switch live there is no issue to FOH ect,

From my understanding with my tec you can put this booster in line to be used with the existing battery when using EMG.

 

[Nephilymbass]

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.

Nice!!! Know what you mean about the backup/flying bass. That’s why I have a an inexpensive Mexican jazz as a backup for my Dingwall.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Tony

I rarely sleep when I fly.

And I never play when I sleep.

But sometimes I dream about having a black bass for the nights…

This bass is a complete sleeper.

Wake her up and spill some blood! (that ESP "bites" with a new set of rounds)

Happy NBD!!!


Wise(b)ass

 

[JRA]

So I pickup import purely on specs. The ESP AP-5 was in the lead so I picked one up and it actually great.

sounds like you scored well! i certainly like the look of the thing, but that it plays for you = priceless! congratulations on your new instrument!

And I never play when I sleep.

there's another thread about just that! ha!

 

[Wisebass]

there's another thread about just that! ha!

About coffins for travelling?

 

[TonyP-]

Nice!!! Know what you mean about the backup/flying bass. That’s why I have a an inexpensive Mexican jazz as a backup for my Dingwall.

Yep
The shows coming we have to check one and can carry one.

So I will be checking one of these.

Hi Tony

I rarely sleep when I fly.

And I never play when I sleep.

But sometimes I dream about having a black bass for the nights…

View attachment 3445463





Wake her up and spill some blood! (that ESP "bites" with a new set of rounds)

Happy NBD!!!


Wise(b)ass

Dude...I love your posts

I'm super lucky and I can sleep pretty good on a plane.

This is no joke I have an idea for a book I have been thinking about and the title in mind is "Is a tale of 3 black basses" Life as a musician so to speak.

As far as spilling blood - Well... Ebony board - modern pickups that retain upper mids, - sturdy bridge - New GHS Progressives and a heavy right hand and that baby is going to growl like a Klingon mating ritual. (I was going to say something else, but today people are more sensitive so refrained )

 

[TonyP-]

sounds like you scored well! i certainly like the look of the thing, but that it plays for you = priceless! congratulations on your new instrument!

there's another thread about just that! ha!

Thank You @JRA
I have been looking at imports on and off for a while now (over a year) and this was the closest one to my requirements.

Like it was said about, its a lot of bass for the money.
When I heard there where no new ones available any where (although the web says otherwise) I waited for the first one to see if I liked it (since I knew there where 2 open boxes at MF). I played for about hour and pulled the trigger on the other one.

 

[klejst]

Nice. I pretty always like the black on black with rosewood look. Looks slick to me on just about any bass.

 

[Jim C]

Congrats on the new bass.
Glad to hear ESP is still making great (for the money) instruments.
Back in the 80's they had a 400 Series that were killer.
Ron Wood was playing them (as well as other pros) and the basses were excellent.
I rarely see them on the used market.

Where are you headed?

 

[TonyP-]

Congrats on the new bass.
Glad to hear ESP is still making great (for the money) instruments.
Back in the 80's they had a 400 Series that were killer.
Ron Wood was playing them (as well as other pros) and the basses were excellent.
I rarely see them on the used market.

Where are you headed?

Thanks Pisan,
This thing is stupid good quality even at full price.

I’m off to the UK and Japan this summer.

 

[TonyP-]

Nice. I pretty always like the black on black with rosewood look. Looks slick to me on just about any bass.

I know it works right?

It’s like a women and a black skirt, it works almost anywhere.

 

[Riff Ranger]

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.

Nice!

I'm about to pull the trigger on one of these myself, and glad to hear everything you like about it. Would you place the tone closer to hi-fi or old-school?

 

[wintremute]

When you play this bass I will fall asleep? Instructions unclear.

 

[TonyP-]

Nice!

I'm about to pull the trigger on one of these myself, and glad to hear everything you like about it. Would you place the tone closer to hi-fi or old-school?

I would not call it ultra mordern...However it much more closer to the hi-fi side of things then old-school.

With that being said, you can mellow it out mostly with the passive tone control.

 

[Ryan L.]

I’ve been looking very seriously at these (the Pelham blue w/matching headstock).

Glad to hear you like it. That pushes me that much closer....

 

[TonyP-]

I’ve been looking very seriously at these (the Pelham blue w/matching headstock).

Glad to hear you like it. That pushes me that much closer....

Ryan, pull the trigger if you can. I'm curious if they are keeping this model since MF did not have any new ones in stock.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I’ve been looking very seriously at these (the Pelham blue w/matching headstock).

Glad to hear you like it. That pushes me that much closer....

Same, haha.