Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

If you do, then you know what I am going to ask...lol.

I've been in the market for an inexpensive bass to change up from my old stand-by. I play an Ibanez 6-string, and I love it, but it would be nice to have a back up-if nothing else to lessen wear and tear on the old beast.
Today, I tried out an ESP 6-string bass. I was fairly impressed with it, and the price was VERY low end. I never messed much with ESP products and was curious about the quality. It would be tough to pass on it based on the price (and it is straight from the factory), but I still don't want to invest in something that would make a better door stop...

Dizzizz wrote:I've got an ESP guitar, and it's lasted me well for 5 years now. It plays great, holds its tune incredibly well, and sounds great.

I knew you were gonna say that.

Well, they are one of those companies that has products from "playable" to incredible, all based on different price points.

It should work fine for you if you liked it. Shouldn't be any glaring quality concerns.

If you're spooked try some lower end Yamahas

I bought a Mexican-assembled Fender Precision back in 90's, very reasonably priced and plays great. Same parts, just assembled south of the border.

Thanks guys! Since I didn't get any "Stay away from that garbage!" responses, I figure there's a chance that it could be worth the money. Then again, (and I think Jimmy said it in an earlier post), It really comes down to the individual instrument. This one seemed pretty good.

Only 1 guitar brand in general I don't like, Epiphone.

And even then, some are not bad.

"There is always an exception to any rule".

Hi Joseph! Like you, my main performance instrument is an Ibanez. I own three 6-string Ibanez and one 7-string. All of them are base quality unmodified factory models (Korean). I think the most I have ever paid for an Ibanez was like $600. The main attribute of the guitars that got me hooked on the Ibanez's was the playability--The thinner radius neck, low action and upper fret accessibility. I always keep these things in mind when I try out guitars. The other thing that I pay attention to is the wood type. I have grown to prefer mahogany. The other brands that I like that have come across the criteria mentioned above were Carvin and Schecter and Jackson. When you tried the ESP, did it match your preference? I always make the effort to try out as many guitars before I make the decision of buying and there are times, to Guitar Center's dismay, I tend try out a guitar several times before I buy it. But it seems like you really like the ESP and it feels right. Which model are you thinking about? Maybe I can do some research for you on the other forums I frequent.

If memory serves ESP basically has two lines.

Korean manufacture = more hand assembly and more $

Chinese mass production = less $

From what I've read the Korean line are well made.

The Chinese imports are hit n miss.

I have no hands on to offer so take this for what it cost you.

Very good points, and it seems I may have more research to do before purchasing...Thanks!

Joseph6

The TexMex Fenders vary widely in quality. I played a P-Bass in a store and thought, 'Hot damn!' It played like a fifties model - sweet as can be.

But when I went back to the store it was gone and they'd gotten a new one in which sucked. It couid have been the setup I suppose but I trust my instincts with bass guitars.

I don't like Fender Jazz basses too much but if you can deal with the neck (doesn't work for me) that seems to be where Fender offers the most variety - active electronics, 5 string versions, maple necks and so on. I don't know the availability in Tex Mex.

That said, I'm hoping to scrape up some dough and buy a P-Bass which is easier said than done. Both in terms of money and in the many P-bass vairents available these days.

The best thing I can say about it is that right now, you can get good instruments for reasonable cost. Ain't it grand?

Talbot

If it actually has ESP on the headstock, and not LTD, then it should be of tremendous quality.
If it's and LTD, it still should be of decent quality.

ESP is as well regarded as any big named instrument maker, Id say.

gtZip wrote:If it actually has ESP on the headstock, and not LTD, then it should be of tremendous quality.
If it's and LTD, it still should be of decent quality.

ESP is as well regarded as any big named instrument maker, Id say.

Yes.

I seem to recall how this correlates with place of manufacture.
ESP in Korea, LTD series mass produced in China.

I'm pretty sure (I'll have to go back and look again) that the headstock said ESP and not Ltd. I looked it up online at the ESP site, but all of those had the Ltd. It sticks in my mind because I noticed the difference right away.

Thanks again for the input, folks.