- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,589
- 221,972
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Official ESP club
- Thread starter funkmasterflex
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,589
- 221,972
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
And... it gets more complicated - I don't have much knowledge of LTD.., but ESP is the "mother" corporation that spins off Edwards and Grass Roots for less. My Grass Roots Bass IV (post #1,744) is 90% the same as the late '90s ESP "signature" version. Same body/finish, neck, pu's & pg. They cut costs on the tuners, switch-plate, control plate, pots and bridge/bridge-plate. (used lower quality parts and chrome plastic instead of chromed metal) I upgraded mine replacing all those cheap parts w/the good stuff - one of my most played basses.ESP vs LTD
One is the senior and one is the junior.
ESP is the senior $$$ and LTD is the junior $
Correct?
I’m asking as sometimes I see an LTD that I really like with a high price and think this is a trick like trying to pass off an SBMM for an EBMM.
Do I have this totally wrong? Partially wrong? Sorta right but they’re exceptions? Can someone please explain in a nice knowledgeable civil detailed manner?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited:
Yes. The fretboard is very smooth and the fret and nut finishing on this bass are immaculate.
I bought this one a couple years ago. I was actually going to buy a Fender American Pro or American Performer that day but this LTD just felt better to me than the Fender basses.
I replaced the pickguard and knobs, added strap locks and I just did the block inlay decals.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,589
- 221,972
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Awesome - I had little knowledge about ESP & its offshoots until I got my Bass IV a few years ago. I was drawn to its' looks/concept (visually riffing off of the Fender VI), and it turned out to be a bass I really like to play. The neck is very nice and has an unusual soft V profile in 1st position. I'd heard of such but this was my first experience with that neck profile. I love it, and since have shaved one of my J necks like that.
In general they make great products - and a pretty broad variety also.
Your Bass IV looks terrific. I'm sure it is a lot of fun to play.
For whatever reason, the ESP and LTD guitars and basses I have just feel right to me. In addition to the Surveyor 87, I also have a Japanese ESP Vintage Four, two ESP LTD C-304 basses, one fretted and one fretless, two ESP LTD Hybrid-300 electric guitars and a Japanese ESP Custom Vintage Plus guitar.
They all manage to tick the boxes of the things I look for in an instrument.
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
This is my 2014 ESP LTD B5-E that I have replaced the pickups and electronics with Lace Alumitones and Bartolini 3 band EQ. It is Mahogany body and capped with an Ebony top and fingerboard. I replaced the tuners and Bridge with Chrome (had smoky Chrome) that I found only in Great Britain. I also buffed the body to a luster as I didn’t care for the dull finish and topped it off with wooden knobs.
Last edited:
That had boutique style. Nice work.
EspltdB-5E would make a great password.
Just sayin'
EspltdB-5E would make a great password.
Just sayin'
In the meantime, my ESP has become my main bass for church. The passive Jazz sound, CGDA tuning and giant hollow Les Paul look all work quite well.
I have this bass as well, fun to play.
Very balanced, lightweight, and really gives off the "Entwistle" vibe.
Hi guys. I’m not officially an ESP/LTD owner yet but was wondering if LTD Surveyor 87 owners could share their bass’ weight? I heard that these are usually on the heavy side and was curious to see if there are lighter ones (<9.5lbs) as well. Thanks!
Pretty sure I weighed mine at 9.4lbs. Was a while ago so can't be sure but pretty certain it was that, definitely not more.
Bear in mind the tuning heads are stiff and really quite bad. I changed the ones on mine.
Edit: that's a lie. It was 4.4kg, which is 9.7lbs.
Extra edit: it's hefty, but not particularly uncomfortable.
Bear in mind the tuning heads are stiff and really quite bad. I changed the ones on mine.
Edit: that's a lie. It was 4.4kg, which is 9.7lbs.
Extra edit: it's hefty, but not particularly uncomfortable.
Gloria, an ESP LTD F-105.
Picked up for a song as end-of-line B-ware a few years ago.
Beautiful tone, nice to play.
Last edited:
If you get the chance, I'd recommend it.
Despite appearances it's surprisingly comfortable.
The only downside is that as it's 35" scale and with the pointy bit on the head, it only just fits into my gig-bag. Ideally I'd like a bit more room, and padding to protect the point.
