Official ESP club

[Veeence]

I don't understand how you can change the sound more with one tone pot rather than an active 3 band eq.

Fair question.
While a 3 band EQ may be able to influence the sound in a greater degree, I find that the pickup reconfigurations afford me a wider selection of different tones. For example, a single coil slap sound is quite different from a series-humbucker slap sound. It just "pops" differently - in ways that no EQ can emulate. Now given the fact that any contemporary bass amp is going to have an EQ on it anyway, I've split the division of labor in what I consider a more pragmatic way. The controls on the bass do things that can only be done in the bass, while the amp head EQ's do what they need to do.

 

[JACink]

Thanks for explaining @Veeence. I understand the switches giving you the extra options, but personally I would rather add the switches and keep the 3 band EQ. Then again, I personally run through a power amp, any eq I need to do in my preamp stage (Zoom B3), so it is much easier for me to do this onboard rather than in the pedal.

 

[Bobster]

It's the coil taps. Depending on the pickup, they can make a significant difference. Check out the discontinued Roscoe Beck Fender bass.

Bob

 

[Aidil]

Just recently got this D-6. Haven't even peel up the soapbar stickers just yet....

It sounds much better than my other six-stringer (not in the pictures).

 

[Bassworship1]

I have a question for some of you ESP lovers. Have any of you tried the RB1005 bass that has the Aguilar pups and pre? That bass intrigues me but I would have to buy without trying. Any help on this bass?

 

[dbbltime]

Welcome to the club, Neveragain55. #169


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#1352 tastybasslines
#3710 JACink

 

[dbbltime]

I really enjoy playing my ESP LTD B-4E. I dig the sound, the feel, and the look. I bought her new about a year ago. I liked her so much that when I found an LTD B-500 used, once I picked her up and played her,I was in love. As if that wasn't enough, I bought myself a LTD F-4E for Christmas. I get to play all three every day. I would be proud to have an official club #. Thanks dbbltime.

 

[aproud1]

I have a question for some of you ESP lovers. Have any of you tried the RB1005 bass that has the Aguilar pups and pre? That bass intrigues me but I would have to buy without trying. Any help on this bass?

I have one and really like it. My electronics were a little noisy but I shielded it and it's good now. The neck is very comfortable as is the whole bass. Solid b string. Solo'd the p pickup sounds like..... A p bass. The Jazz sound good too if you toss a little extra bass in there.

Is there any thing specific you'd like to know? Had mine for about four months. Don't play five a lot at the moment but like to keep one around. I am happy with this and have no other 5 string GAS.

 

[Bassworship1]

How would you compare it to other basses in that price range like the Ibanez Premium models?

 

[aproud1]

I really like the ibanez stuff and I'd say the RB1005 is on par with the Nordie equipped models.

Two things I don't care for...

-16.5 mm string spacing (all SR and many other bass models)
-35" scale neck (all BTB basses)

So for Ibanez that leaves the Grooveline (34" 18.5mm string spacing and $$$) or the ATK 5 string. I like the ATK's. They sound and play great but tend to be heavy and I just really don't like the bridge.

With the RB1005 Here is what I like and why I ordered,

-Lightweight -Mine is 8lbs 5 oz, looks like they run around 8. This was per Rocco
-Nice Electronics
-Very nice bridge
-Solid Tuners
-Light weight
-18 mm string spacing at the bridge (not too narrow, not too wide)
-Nice Figured top and solid woods throughout

What I don't like
-The pointy head stock. I'm over it now but it's pointy
-Needed sheilding to work in my very electrically noisy basement, Usable stock but really needs better sheilding
-Strings don't line up perfectly over the pickup pole pieces, still sounds great just annoys me

What surprised me
-Really comfortable to play on a strap
-Very, very comfortable neck, I mean seriously
-Can sound just like a P bass
-Damn good fret work

Based on my primary criteria there isn't much at this price point to compete. I would buy it again if I had to do it over. Though I would pay full price and order from Sweetwater this time. I bought mine from eBay for a discount and ended up regretting it.

Now if you are down with (and it looks like you are)the Narrow string spacing on the SR or the 35" scale/typical 9.5 lb + weight on the BTB's those are really nice basses. I came very close to picking one up if I could find a light one but know that I just don't care for the feel of 35" scale. I can get used to the narrow spacing on the SR but once I do I have a hard time going back to my regular spaced 4 strings. With the 18 mm spacing on the RB I have no problems like that. I guess I'm just weird like that.

 

[aproud1]

Proof.

RB1005 Front

• aproud1
• Jan 26, 2015
• 2

RB1005 Back

• aproud1
• Jan 26, 2015

 

[Bassworship1]

That is for sure a beautiful looking bass.

 

[Sundogue]

This is my ESP-LTD B205SM. Which is now no longer a spalted maple (there was very little "spalting" to it to begin with) so I sanded the extremely thin veneer down to the Ash body.

I also replaced the stock ESP pickups with Seymour Duncan NYC 5's and added two On/On/On switches and wired them up as Series/Single Coil/Parallel.

And I reshaped the headstock, sanded off the logo and replaced it with my own Om symbol design.

Plays beautifully, with extremely low action. Looks great (IMO) and with the new pups sounds fabulous with a lot of tonal versatility.

Best bass I've owned in many years. There isn't anything I don't love about it .

 

[aproud1]

Headstock reminds me of a STR. Very nice bass and good job on the mods.

 

[Sundogue]

Headstock reminds me of a STR. Very nice bass and good job on the mods.

Thanks. I just didn't like the pointy headstock so I went with more of an MTD kind of one. The bass is killer now in every way.

 

[aproud1]

Been thinking about doing something similar. Not sure if it bothers me that much anymore. Absolutely love everything else about the bass.


Yours is a modded beauty for sure.

 

[Sundogue]

Been thinking about doing something similar. Not sure if it bothers me that much anymore. Absolutely love everything else about the bass.


Yours is a modded beauty for sure.

Thanks again. The pointy headstock literally bothered me, but not just for the looks. It stuck out too far beyond the tuning pegs. When I would sit at my computer desk while practicing to music on my computer, I kept banging that tip into everything on my desk. Once I cut it off I never hit another thing with it.

But, I also didn't think the headstock matched the more traditional shape of the body. It looks more like it belongs on a B.C. Rich or similar. A tad too gothic for the body style. Just my opinion of course.

 

[PDGood]

I really like the ibanez stuff and I'd say the RB1005 is on par with the Nordie equipped models.

Two things I don't care for...

-16.5 mm string spacing (all SR and many other bass models)
-35" scale neck (all BTB basses)

So for Ibanez that leaves the Grooveline (34" 18.5mm string spacing and $$$) or the ATK 5 string. I like the ATK's. They sound and play great but tend to be heavy and I just really don't like the bridge.

With the RB1005 Here is what I like and why I ordered,

-Lightweight -Mine is 8lbs 5 oz, looks like they run around 8. This was per Rocco
-Nice Electronics
-Very nice bridge
-Solid Tuners
-Light weight
-18 mm string spacing at the bridge (not too narrow, not too wide)
-Nice Figured top and solid woods throughout

What I don't like
-The pointy head stock. I'm over it now but it's pointy
-Needed shielding to work in my very electrically noisy basement, Usable stock but really needs better shielding
-Strings don't line up perfectly over the pickup pole pieces, still sounds great just annoys me

What surprised me
-Really comfortable to play on a strap
-Very, very comfortable neck, I mean seriously
-Can sound just like a P bass
-Damn good fret work

Based on my primary criteria there isn't much at this price point to compete. I would buy it again if I had to do it over. Though I would pay full price and order from Sweetwater this time. I bought mine from eBay for a discount and ended up regretting it.

Now if you are down with (and it looks like you are)the Narrow string spacing on the SR or the 35" scale/typical 9.5 lb + weight on the BTB's those are really nice basses. I came very close to picking one up if I could find a light one but know that I just don't care for the feel of 35" scale. I can get used to the narrow spacing on the SR but once I do I have a hard time going back to my regular spaced 4 strings. With the 18 mm spacing on the RB I have no problems like that. I guess I'm just weird like that.

This is a very well thought out post loaded with good info! I'm also a fan of both Ibanez and ESP/LTD basses. I love the Ibanez string spacing so that's not an issue for me. My experience only differs from yours in that my Ibanez basses are all pretty light. They sand their SR bodies into a very thin contour which takes off a lot of wood. The ATK has a chunky body (and neck) but has ultra lightweight tuners which helps. I'd estimate that the ATK800i weighs a good pound less than my LTD vintage 214. (I'm comparing 4 stringers here). But wood of the same species varies in weight so two basses made of the same wood may also vary. I love it when people selling instruments post the weight of them.

 

[aproud1]

Thanks! I was more comparing to general ATK. The 800' seem to come in between 8.5 - 9.5 lbs. Which is manageable but I just have a hard time getting over the bridge. With the RB1005 Rocco specified light weight for the overall design. I also owned a LTD vintage 214 it was fretless and weighed in just over 9 lbs. You are right though that weight really varies. I'm sensitive to it so it's a big selling point for me. And I too appreciate when sellers list it. Another point for Sweetwater.

I love the SR's but small necks make my left hand cramp. And there's the string spacing. I played a SR1005 for quite awhile and loved it but had a hard time going back and forth with a wider bridge spacing. They are usually very light and nimble. Just easy to play. I loved the back body contour on my SR1005.

I haven't played my RB1005 on a strap more than about 30 minutes but I will say the strap just disappears. Hangs just right and really feels like an extension of your body. The last bass I had that did that... the SR1005. So much love for most Ibanez stuff from me. They really make a wide variety of great basses. And I'm totally gassing for a new Talman. Good thing they're cheap. I'm glad that people seem to be come around a bit on some of the better import stuff.

 

[JACink]

This is my ESP-LTD B205SM. Which is now no longer a spalted maple (there was very little "spalting" to it to begin with) so I sanded the extremely thin veneer down to the Ash body.

I also replaced the stock ESP pickups with Seymour Duncan NYC 5's and added two On/On/On switches and wired them up as Series/Single Coil/Parallel.

And I reshaped the headstock, sanded off the logo and replaced it with my own Om symbol design.

Plays beautifully, with extremely low action. Looks great (IMO) and with the new pups sounds fabulous with a lot of tonal versatility.

Best bass I've owned in many years. There isn't anything I don't love about it .

That turned out amazing, I almost want to buy another SM to sand the finish off!