Richard Milliner Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Hi, Im thinking abut buying ESP Viper Custom that Ive been stalking on fleabay for a while. Its a big investment for me at approx. £1300 and have yet to play it, but seems its been in the shop for a while and not had a previous owner... I do have a LTD EX-104, that I love the sound, tone and playability which Im hoping will be the same or better on the viper Just wondered if anyone out there had any experience of such a beast and whether the price seems reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 For that kind of investment is it possible to take a day off work and travel to the shop to give it a try before parting with cash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I bet it's lovely, but you'd need to play it first. I'm wondering how these balance. Divey perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 In my experience (a friend of mine has quite a few Japanese ESP guitars) the difference in quality between the LTD models & the 'proper' ESP stuff is massive. If you've got & like a LTD then I'd be very surprised if you were disappointed by the ESP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Milliner Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 I'm in Sussex, guitar is in North Wales... But am heading to HRH next week and will pop in en route. My explorer is very neck heavy, hoping this will have better balance. I figured the ESP will be great but the most expensive guitar I have bought previously was about a grand cheaper! Did I mention it's a camo paint job? Not quite sure... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I used to run a shop and stocked ESP - all LTD models except for one, and all great instruments. The genuine ESP really did have that thing you can't put your finger on which made it worth the £300 more than the most expensive LTD version. Also, a little after I closed my shop I went with a friend who A/B'd a 400 series LTD Surveyor and the ESP version. Again, the ESP had that little bit of magic. I'd be surprised if you were disappointed with the Viper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 [quote name='Richard Milliner' timestamp='1446752054' post='2902127'] Did I mention it's a camo paint job? Not quite sure... [/quote] There's nothing wrong with different. I think the camo looks good. Fill your boots! I can't find it on a search tho, got a link so we can have a butchers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Milliner Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 [url="http://www.knightonmusiccentre.com/bass-guitars/esp/esp-vp-b-camo-viper-bass-in-camouflage/prod_1008.html"]http://www.knightonmusiccentre.com/bass-guitars/esp/esp-vp-b-camo-viper-bass-in-camouflage/prod_1008.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Milliner Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 Don't anyone else go buying it now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Go on, do it! That camo job, especially running up the neck is great, and it looks as though it would perfectly suit the character in your avatar!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebo213 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 I recommend you to try it... looks like some neck dive going on. Depends on your playing style will bother you or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 These guys in Sussex have a high end LTD version in their warehouse - might be worth seeing if you could try that one which should give you a very good idea what the ESP version will be like. [url="http://www.guitarsound.co.uk/electric-guitars-for-sale/brands/esp-and-ltd-electric-guitars-for-sale?guitar_type=201&p=2"]http://www.guitarsound.co.uk/electric-guitars-for-sale/brands/esp-and-ltd-electric-guitars-for-sale?guitar_type=201&p=2[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 I've had a guilty pleasure about fancying one of these in red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Bandit Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 ESP stuff is the bomb! I've now got 4 MIJ ESPs and they are definitely worth the price tag, that said I would always recommend looking for them second hand as their resale is (undeservedly) quite low and even importing from Japan can work out quite a bit cheaper. That said, I wouldn't say no to a camouflage viper. Don't worry, not going to swoop in on that one, my better half would be none too pleased! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Did you ever try the viper out? What were your thoughts? Did you buy it etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 [quote name='TommyK' timestamp='1449754947' post='2926516'] Did you ever try the viper out? What were your thoughts? Did you buy it etc? [/quote] +1, but then the OP hasn't been on since 11th November so I doubt we'll ever know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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