Dapper Bandit Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Never previously been one to past pictures of basses (never thought my gear was worthy of comment) but acquired these two fellas over the course of the past year and am pretty darn pleased with them to be honest! First up, an ESP Vintage Four: [URL=http://s208.photobucket.com/user/dapper_bandit/media/Gear/20151112_071038.jpg.html][IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dapper_bandit/Gear/20151112_071038.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s208.photobucket.com/user/dapper_bandit/media/Gear/20151112_071113.jpg.html][IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dapper_bandit/Gear/20151112_071113.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s208.photobucket.com/user/dapper_bandit/media/Gear/20151112_071051.jpg.html][IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dapper_bandit/Gear/20151112_071051.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s208.photobucket.com/user/dapper_bandit/media/Gear/20151112_071132.jpg.html][IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dapper_bandit/Gear/20151112_071132.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Came with Seymour Duncan Antiquities and a D-Tuner as upgrades. Lovely vintage tone as one would expect from the pickups. Best Precision I've played, just nudging out my '82 Ibanez Blazer. Secondly, an ESP Amaze: [URL=http://s208.photobucket.com/user/dapper_bandit/media/Gear/20151112_071155.jpg.html][IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dapper_bandit/Gear/20151112_071155.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s208.photobucket.com/user/dapper_bandit/media/Gear/20151112_071204.jpg.html][IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dapper_bandit/Gear/20151112_071204.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s208.photobucket.com/user/dapper_bandit/media/Gear/20151112_071216.jpg.html][IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dapper_bandit/Gear/20151112_071216.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s208.photobucket.com/user/dapper_bandit/media/Gear/20151112_071228.jpg.html][IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dapper_bandit/Gear/20151112_071228.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Beautiful neck, was a bit of a punt as I only ever played a (really) cheap jazz a few years ago that I absolutely butchered (frets ripped out, old nut exploded so tried to fashion one out of some old plastic) as a teenager. This completely eliminated any hesitation I had about Jazzes. The proper MIJ ESP is massively underrated, I would happily put it up against any of the big names and in my experience these have bested MIA Fenders and Musicman. Just to finish off this post I will include a family shot including a couple of skinny stringers (PS those aren't my shoes next to the rack!) [URL=http://s208.photobucket.com/user/dapper_bandit/media/Gear/20151109_201744.jpg.html][IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb248/dapper_bandit/Gear/20151109_201744.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Love that Vintage 4, and the machine heads on the Amaze are, well, just amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Nice tasteful wear on the first one Do you wear the pixie boots often ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 I've never played an ESP bass - but I did own a Jap Custom Shop Kerry King flying V guitar. It was brilliantly built and very very easy to play. Lovely instrument, even if it was far pointier than anything I had before or since! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheth Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Never seen an ESP bass for sale sadly, I love my ESP Alexi though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Bandit Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 [quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1447335530' post='2906798'] Never seen an ESP bass for sale sadly, I love my ESP Alexi though. [/quote] ESP Japan basses turn up [i]very[/i] rarely in Europe, as far as I've seen. Guitars more often, had an LTD Alexi which was very nice, the fullblooded one must be lovely. Fretmeister, was it the blood crack one with the hockeystick headstock? If so, colour me jealous! The tuners on the Amaze are cool, you see them on quite a few Japanese basses, especially Bacchus and the like, no idea of the make mind but a lot nicer than the elephant ears we are normally subjected too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 They're Gotoh GB11W tuners. Lovely collection of ESPs there, the guitars too. I've had an ESP J since the early 90's. Many have come and go in that time, the likes of Fender, Sadowsky and their ilk, but the ESP is still the best J bass I've ever played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 The first bass I ever played, 24 years ago, was an ESP Jazz. I love the new Bunny Brunel bass - it's way better than the Carvins he used to play. Quite tempted to get a fretted and fretless pair. And my metal side is quite fond of the F-series basses. They do make some brilliant stuff, but very little of it makes it over here. The Japan-only Edwards basses are fantastic, and I love the woods on the Stream series - take a look: Some of the Japanese basses have rather amusing names though, the Halibut and the Bottom Bump, for starters... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 [quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1447412130' post='2907424'] They're Gotoh GB11W tuners. Lovely collection of ESPs there, the guitars too. I've had an ESP J since the early 90's. Many have come and go in that time, the likes of Fender, Sadowsky and their ilk, but the ESP is still the best J bass I've ever played. [/quote] Thanks Doc! Just had a look on the Gotoh site, funny, they look quite three dimensional in the photos, but in the diagram they're perfectly flat. Still like them, nice to see something a little different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Bandit Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Arrgh, they're making an Edwards Stream now? That's not fair on my poor wallet. Quite the looker too. I've heard a lot of good things about the old J4 basses, are they really that good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikkoantt Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 (edited) Hi. I just got this ESP Amaze 5 back. I sold it few months ago and now I traded it back. Just one word of this Amazing:) Edited November 13, 2015 by Mikkoantt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Bandit Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 She's a beaut Mikko! The clear pg on quilted maple looks really smart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikkoantt Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Hi. Actually I was clening this acrylic pickuard and when I was screwing the screws by machine then it broked badly. My luthier friend did new one to it but it costs 80€. God I done stupid thing to screwing the screws by machine. I have to take news pictures of it, because there is now front pickup cover in it. Looks quite good with that:) . One question. Is this common model? I havent seen many of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Bandit Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 It's a domestic Japanese model, pretty sure they aren't exported to worldwide dealers but they are available if you order them from the Japanese stores that ship internationally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 On 13/11/2015 at 20:53, Mikkoantt said: Hi. I just got this ESP Amaze 5 back. I sold it few months ago and now I traded it back. Just one word of this Amazing:) What's the history / current status on the 'Amaze' ?.... just sourced this one but it's really hard to find any information and ESP USA don't even list them. There are a few of them on ebay from 'japanretroshop' (?) :- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Bandit Posted October 11, 2018 Author Share Posted October 11, 2018 That's a Japanese domestic model, the Amaze series is a world-beating jazz bass. I've read reviews that have placed then higher than Sadowsky! I own a 4 string version of this and it's a true delight from top to bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 On 13/11/2015 at 11:18, Russ said: The first bass I ever played, 24 years ago, was an ESP Jazz. I love the new Bunny Brunel bass - it's way better than the Carvins he used to play. Quite tempted to get a fretted and fretless pair. And my metal side is quite fond of the F-series basses. They do make some brilliant stuff, but very little of it makes it over here. The Japan-only Edwards basses are fantastic, and I love the woods on the Stream series - take a look: Some of the Japanese basses have rather amusing names though, the Halibut and the Bottom Bump, for starters... Made a big search for this bass in that lovely finish and drew one big blank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy23cricket Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Look on the Japanese ESP site. Its under the ESP products (after some google translation required). I enquired about these a while ago and they will send one over, however the cost comes in close to £4000, which is a bit rich for me. I'll stick with my LTD Pancho Tomaselli custom jazz! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Oooh, ouch etc. I wont bother , thanks Jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 On 13/11/2015 at 11:18, Russ said: ...and I love the woods on the Stream series - take a look: They look like spaceships....awesome-looking basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 17 minutes ago, ahpook said: They look like spaceships....awesome-looking basses. Yep. Part modern exotic wood singlecut, part rock'n'roll Thunderbird. All awesome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy23cricket Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 (edited) I suppose the other option is to go for the LTD stream (rather than the full hadmade ESP one pictured). They released these a coule of years back. Think they were around the £1000 mark. Maybe not quite as exotic, but still quite tasty in my opinion! Edited October 12, 2018 by jimmy23cricket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 The more basic LTD Stream basses are cheaper than the pretty tops - and are actually rather nice. I think I've reviewed one at some point. It seemed to balance a little better than a 'Bird. As much as I loved it to look at, I just don't know if I will ever end up getting on with the "wing" getting in the way of my right arm when I am sat down with the bass. @eubassix I am intrigued by the example you are showing though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eubassix Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 On 12/10/2018 at 17:38, Dood said: @eubassix I am intrigued by the example you are showing though. Thanks Dood - it's a 2010 instrument (from the series first introduced 2003 - thanks to Dapper Bandit for this and other info!) but could pass for new (even has the ESP fret protect strip (I assume) which is shown in the first photo above. Case is also 'brand'-new. Here are some additional photos and basic specs (can add to these later when I've had time to measure etc.): 35" scale; Seymour Duncan Custom sj5 pickups; Cinnamon ESP pre-amp w 3 band EQ; Ash body c/w exceptional Quilt Maple top; Gotoh Chrome Hardware :- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 53 minutes ago, eubassix said: Thanks Dood - it's a 2010 instrument (from the series first introduced 2003 - thanks to Dapper Bandit for this and other info!) but could pass for new (even has the ESP fret protect strip (I assume) which is shown in the first photo above. Case is also 'brand'-new. Here are some additional photos and basic specs (can add to these later when I've had time to measure etc.): 35" scale; Seymour Duncan Custom sj5 pickups; Cinnamon ESP pre-amp w 3 band EQ; Ash body c/w exceptional Quilt Maple top; Gotoh Chrome Hardware :- It's quite the looker! Wow! Any idea regarding the weight? I can't quite gauge the string spacing. 18mm? Possibly 17mm? That quilt looks lovely. Yeah I'd like to try one of these. Interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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