Scott S Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 This would be my first foray into into fretless territory so I'm hoping for some basschat advice. I came across this cheapy-but-goody on another thread; £283 from Gear4music.com and looking like an absolute bargain! Obviously it's sold at such a eye catching price for good reason...it ain't no Tony Franklin Precision. But what if a good (albeit cheap) bass could be made even better? Do any of you peeps have suggestions for customisation, be it bridge, tuners, pups or even an ebony fingerboard (I do love ebony, lol)? Would any potential costs be worth the effort or would it be better to just look for another fretless bass at a higher price? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 I wouldn't expect it to be too bad. ESPs are very good for the price. It won't be a £1500 bass but it may well be OK. I have an ESP LTD 204 and it plays like a dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Alsatian Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 I've had the fretted 'relic' ESP LTD 204, which I picked up really cheaply on eBay (£140) a few years ago. After putting on my choice of strings and setting it up, I felt it didn't need any upgrades as the pickups gave me the sounds I'd expect from a PJ. Neck felt good and it was solidly put together. You may find you don't need to do anything to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S Posted April 7, 2014 Author Share Posted April 7, 2014 Cool. in that case then, guys, £283 may be a bigger bargain than I thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Alsatian Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 I'd certainly pay that for one - it's only £40 more than the recent Squier VM PJ basses (I had one in sunburst) and as nice as the Squier was, the ESP felt like a more expensive instrument to me. Of course if you do find that parts are lacking, you've still got a great platform for modifications. This was mine: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S Posted April 7, 2014 Author Share Posted April 7, 2014 [quote name='Green Alsatian' timestamp='1396902594' post='2418652'] I'd certainly pay that for one - it's only £40 more than the recent Squier VM PJ basses (I had one in sunburst) and as nice as the Squier was, the ESP felt like a more expensive instrument to me. Of course if you do find that parts are lacking, you've still got a great platform for modifications. This was mine: [/quote] That's a tidy looking bass alright. Yeah, come pay day I'm going to treat myself to the fretless. What I save on with the money I'll lose out on with my painfully dodgy intonation. Mrs S isn't going to be happy, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merello Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 [quote name='Green Alsatian' timestamp='1396902594' post='2418652'] I'd certainly pay that for one - it's only £40 more than the recent Squier VM PJ basses (I had one in sunburst) and as nice as the Squier was, the ESP felt like a more expensive instrument to me. Of course if you do find that parts are lacking, you've still got a great platform for modifications. This was mine: [/quote] I have the relic version of that. Longest i have kept a bass for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Alsatian Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Aye, mine was the relic version too - quite tastefully done I felt, with the 'wear' in the right places and not just looking like someone attacked it with a sander. Sadly for me, it was one of those 'didn't have the money for it, but couldn't resist at the price but ultimately had to move it on' affairs. A pity, as it just felt right and sounded great. Even at full price, these basses are bargains! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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