ESP LTD F-104 – Affordable But Mighty Battleaxe

Body And Neck:
Electronics:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:

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Over the years, ESP has gained a reputation of a brand you turn to when you need a solid guitar for metal. This goes for both electric guitars and basses equally. While their high-end stuff can be described as rather precise tools, ESP is an expert of delivering brute force in the lower segments of the market. One great example of what we mean by this is the ESP LTD F-104. This bass guitar is among the more recognizable basses you can get at the moment, and it definitely has a lot to offer.

Body And Neck

Featuring a rather interesting body shape, ESP LTD F-104 looks more like something from the dark ages than a modern bass guitar. It has that rugged, dangerous vibe to it, which has so far attracted a large number of bass players. Tonewood of choice for this model was basswood. While it is not the best thing out there to build a guitar from, basswood body can result in a pretty awesome tone if done correctly. The neck is a bolt-on maple piece that features a thin U profile. This bass comes in black color.

Hardware

When it comes to hardware, ESP kept things simple and reliable. They've installed a classic fixed bridge with four fully adjustable saddles. On the other end of the guitar, at the headstock, you will find a set of simple die-cast tuning machines. This combo is nothing to write home about, however they work more than well considering the price range we are talking about here. All of the hardware comes in chrome, including the knob caps.

Electronics

From a distance, it might seem like ESP LTD F-104 packs a set of active humbuckers, however that is not the case. We say this because ESP installed a set of two SB-4 passive humbuckers, but also included plastic covers for them. These pups are wired to a set of controls that bring your standard volume/tone combo but also a pretty potent two-band EQ.

Sound

The range of tones you can dial in rather impressive considering the price and tonewood of this bass guitar. That two band EQ does wonders with a set of passive pickups such as the ones ESP opted for. You can go anywhere from blues to heavy metal without an issue. Sure, the sound is going to be a bit rough around the edges, but that is acceptable considering the range ESP LTD F-104 brings to the table.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, picking a bass in this price range is pretty hard. You have to know what type of music you're most interested in and go from there. Fortunately for all of us, there are brands such as ESP out there to deliver pretty flexible solutions that won't destroy your wallet, but will definitely bring a great compromise in terms of performance. If you are just starting out and you want your first bass to be a bit beefy, ESP LTD F-104 is something you should check out.

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