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Official ESP club

1 ESP unicorn down one to go!!
A 1984 "White mistress"
 

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They're the signature model of the bassist for Japanese metal band Loudness, i have a few others that aren't all white.
I really like them they are quite different.
Several questions -
  • Of course, how does it sound? Any way to describe it?
  • How are the double-P pickups wired? Are they two separate Ps? Is it just one giant humbucker?
  • If two separate Ps, which coils are wired together?
  • And what exactly is the model? I can't find anything online about these.
 
Several questions -
  • Of course, how does it sound? Any way to describe it?
  • How are the double-P pickups wired? Are they two separate Ps? Is it just one giant humbucker?
  • If two separate Ps, which coils are wired together?
  • And what exactly is the model? I can't find anything online about these.
1. I guess the easiest way to describe it is a PJ bass on steriods. There are some intricacies that are harder to describe but you get the general idea

2. They are set in individual pairs, there are 4 knobs which is set in Vol/Vol/Vol/Master Vol (though some come with a tone)

3. First P on the G side is paired with the first on the E side and so on

4. ESP PPJ or PPJ-160 (the 160 stands for 160,000 yen) or these ones are known as the White Mistress (which are very hard to find)
 
Hi all! I’ve got a C-305 being shipped to me now. I have no experience with ESP/LTD basses. Anything I should be on the lookout for or any weak points that may need to be addressed? I really dig the look and am hoping the feel will be a good fit for me. I’m not opposed to some mods if needed. Shower me with your wisdom!
 
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Hi all! I’ve got a C-305 being shipped to me now. I have no experience with ESP/LTD basses. Anything I should be on the lookout for or any weak points that may need to be addressed? I really dig the look and am hoping the feel will be a good fit for me. I’m not opposed to some mods if needed. Shower me with your wisdom!

I have never played the fiver but I own a couple C-304s that have been awesome. I have had them for going on 20 years, have played countless shows with them and they have never disappointed.

Years ago I replaced the pickups with active EMGs and I changed the gold hardware to black. Those changes were purely personal preference. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the stock EMG-HZs that came stock in those basses.

Congrats on the new bass! Enjoy it!
 
Has anyone used the ESP Custom Shop?

The quick answer is no I have not. But thought I would share my experience with submitting for a custom build.
I almost did use the custom shop a few years ago. I contacted an authorized dealer that is about and hour away from me for a quote and submitted my custom build. While I waited to hear back from them I ended up making my way onto the esp Japan website, which at the time had a virtual custom build page(it may still IDK). Even though I couldn't actually make the purchase through the esp Japan site I went ahead and put the specs of my build in. Upon finishing the data entry I was shown a cost in yen for the build of what would be 3200 us dollars at the time. About a week later while sitting at home the authorized dealer sent me an email with the quote for the build of $3200.00. While typing my reply a couple minutes after receiving the email to tell them to go ahead and have it done my phone rang it was the dealer that just contacted me with the quote. When I answered the phone I was told that the email that I just received was a mistake and the cost for the build would be $5500.00.
I understand that the dealer needs to make money otherwise he wouldn't be in buisness. He most certainly could have made money on me but after sending me a quote that dead matched the esp Japan website and then telling me I was given the wrong quote that was from a different job.....at this point not only do I believe I have been lied to this guy has decided a 72% markup is the way to go. On top of that I would still have to pay sales tax which would have brought it to $5850.00.
I currently own five esp Ltd basses and they are great instruments. I would love a custom esp but currently funds do not allow. Maybe someday. Here is a couple photos from the current family
20181115_200126.jpg
F-104-2.jpg
 
@Nuage420 yeah shop around some. Seems authorized dealers can mark up the price as they see fit. Too bad, there would be more esp customs out there if people weren't so greedy. Unfortunately I ran into a greedy liar. Greed I can understand to a point, but lies...... nope I'm out!
Best of luck getting your custom build.
 
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@Nuage420 yeah shop around some. Seems authorized dealers can mark up the price as they see fit. Too bad, there would be more esp customs out there if people weren't so greedy. Unfortunately I ran into a greedy liar. Greed I can understand to a point, but lies...... nope I'm out!
Best of luck getting your custom build.
Yeah man, when I got my AP4 and AP5 I was blown away by how good they are. Then I discovered thier custom shop and started looking at the Japan stuff and esp museum and realized they can and do some insane builds.