ESP LTD C-304

Having played everything from a '68 EB-3 (violin headstock) to a 4001 Rick to everything in-between, this sucker takes the cake. I paid 299.00 (US dollars) for it from an online company trying to get rid of old stock. I purchased an ESP-made form-fit case for an additional 100.00 after receiving it. Now we are in the 400.00 realm. This bass is, quite frankly, one of the best constructed, best playing basses I have ever owned. The p/u's are EMG, open pole design, and are active (it does NOT eat batteries like many do). The sounds and range are extremely wide, and easy to utilize, due to the configuration of three knobs for bass, mid, and treble. Of course, the master volume and master blend. The unit I have is 'fire' quilted maple, on a mahogany double winged body. The neck is a seven (yes...7) piece thru body design. It is finished in a blue tint, and is just gorgeous. All hardware is gold satin finished. The bridge took some getting used to for setting up, but once I figured out how to do it properly, it seats, and stays great. No intonation problems across or down the neck. Great fret work. I would like a brass nut, but I go back to "the day". The fret work is flawless, as is the finish. The tuners are ESP stuff, but probably manufactured by Grover, given the design. No problem whatsoever.

This bass can fill any need you may have from slapping (bright and articulate) to hammer ons and pull offs. Thumb slapping sounds a lot like Les' (Claypool) bass. It is an articulate bass, and easily responds to your particular style of music with no problem. Having played for about 35 years, it covers virtually any sound you may require from southern rock to metal and beyond. AND, it looks killer.

As far as factory set-up...I never worry about that. I tear a bass down as soon as I get one and re-set it up and clean it (new or otherwise) up-pots, and cavities, etc. As set up, there is no problem. This is a rock solid bass. Takes abuse, long hours of playing, and doesn't eat strings. I have yet to break one, and I am an extremely aggressive player, especially when I use a pick, which is usually 90% of the time. The neck is sweet, albeit a bit 'fat' with a 'c' shape to it. Much like the older Hamers (vintage) or Gibsons. Extremely well contoured, from the front to the back to the neck-heel area.

I adjusted the truss rod once. I have had it for over 4 years, and that was due to changing the strings to a lighter guage, only (I play medium lights-.045, .060, .075, .105). Replaced the strap buttons with Dunlop straploks due to my on-stage behavior. Not a problem. The original ones were good, though, and gold like the rest of the hardware. Finish is bullet proof. I cannot imagine how many years it would take to wear it down.

Never needed it, didn't use it. I do my own stuff unless it is out of my realm.

Having played for about 35 years, I have been thru so much gear and so many basses, you would think I was stuck up to list it, so I won't. Been using Spectors lately, which are great, but they do not have the all around capabilities of the ESP to compete.

'02 made in Korea, 24 frets and 4 strings. 9 piece (sorry to burst anyones bubble)joined/neckthru and the face is thick laminate 2 piece (top and bottom). Low mid high tone controls with volume and blend. EMG-HZ Active. Solid Maple. Thick gloss finish. The C-304 is just a barely noticeable hair thinner than a standard P but way bigger than any J, consider it a P. Not string thru bridge and nut standard. Non locking tuners that work excellent and can hold the note all night and then some under aggressive use. Nexks just a hair inder a Standard P with thick frets, rosewood fretboard.

I play any and all styles and the C-304 can do them all. Used an older Peavey Mark VI with it since I had it and SWR Goliath III 410h with a Hartke VX410 to sit on top for a bit. I use no effects. I've used them on my board but emulation of various tube sounds came out perfect....if I desired but I didn't. Warm, dark sound. Popping is fab with this bass.....hammer stroking out sounds best with it I believe. Hammer ons and pull offs are perfect. Set for slap I'd have to admit a little hot on the amp and tunings and then right on. Onstage I feel balanced when I dance with it. In the studio it is without a doubt awesome. I think it could stand to weigh 2 less pounds (whew) after 3 hrs rockin it gets me a little pissed. Intonation controls on the E string (hex and string guide) at the bridge are getting worn and I've set this bass up about 5 times. Played it exclusively since buying it new and wore the finish on the arm rest, between first fret and neck with a groove also, on the back of the neck the A/G and F# finish is also completely worn as well the top of the bass where it sits against the chest is also worn down to the wood. Frets are starting to go....but that's just because of me. The wood itself is gorgeous under the wear.

I had the bass setup immediately so the factory settings are irrelevant. Changed the strings to GHS BASS BOOMERS 105 and at times went for the BEAD (Audioslave) setup on this 4 string and the 130 fit perfect without fab and it royally kicks ass like this! Pickups? I wouldn't know I changed it to my spec immediately but it was fine in the store. No flaws new and after like 5 yrs of use the Low on the EQ puts out very little noise crack when turned. Very little. Same as volume but then again I use my gear everyday. Still I'm not complaining. Saddle is perfect for me. I've been more comfortable on a properly setup Fender P-Bass.....but not much at all regarding saddle and action. As for my C-304....her name is STELLA for a reason.

Forget about it. I've got over 10,000 hrs on this bass and it has my autograph (wear) and approval (I'd buy it again) and ok....ok time for some frets I just decided.....but I never broke a string on it. The finish will wear with lot's of playing but if a little attitude bothers you then polish it alot. Strap buttons got tossed but lasted 2 yrs then now been 2 yrs with locks but replacing the locks totally now. I turned them both twice and the new ones are fried. Only had the truss adjusted twice, when I bought it and 2 yrs ago and now it's time to do it again. So, I set it up and do the truss every 2 yrs. Depend on it? I take it with me alone to all gigs with only a backup battery, no extra strings and just ready to rock. I figure if one breaks I'll just play everything between the next lowest octave on one string. Very reliable? I don't know.......

Bought it new, never dealt with the company. I guess it has a lifetime warranty I think I'll look into that one.

Been playing 6 years. This was my first serious bass after my Squire P. I have a Spector 5 string active EMG-HZ, Peavey fretless, vintage Harmony 4 string and others. Casually use 800 watt Peavey power amp with a preamp and it works fine. If lost or stolen I'd give serious consideration to replacing her yes. All basses have attitude and this one is unique.

Four-string with two active EMG pickup, neck-through-body, natural finish with gold hardware.

This bass has really amazing sound. It has five knobs (volume, pickup blend, bass cut/boost, mid cut/boost, and treble cut/boost) and I've been able to dial in just about any sound I could want. Boosting the bass gives a very deep, rich growl, and boosting the treble results in a bright, clear slap tone that blew me away - reminds me of Flea's tone of the Mother's Milk album. I tried it both of my Hartke amplifier and my computer-based recording system with good results - it was particularly good for recording because the pickups are very quiet and I didn't get ANY noticeable hum from the computer's monitor, etc.

I got this bass used, so I don't know if the previous owner had changed the setup or not from the factory settings. It was his spare bass and he barely used it - it looks absolutely brand new - so I suspect not.

The action is set very low and when it's not amplified there's a LOT of fret buzz, but when it's amplified or recorded the fret buzz isn't coming through so I guess it's not really a problem. I may still raise it because I tend to play with pretty high action.

Also, the pickups are really close to the strings, which is causing some clicking and also a bit of distortion when the bass tone knob is turned up, so I will probably lower them. On the other hand, the tones I'm getting from this bass are pretty awesome so I may leave it.

The finish is flat-out beautiful - it's natural wood and it looks great. I would expect to pay way more for a bass that looks this good. The only bad part is that I'm terrified of scratching it because it feels pretty soft.

I've been playing for about 15 years and this is definitely the nicest bass I've ever owned. It's fast playing, it sounds amazing, and as far as looks it's a gorgeous instrument. If it was lost or stolen, it would definitely be one of the basses at the top of my list for a replacement.

This Bass has great pickups, although not active, the B64 preamp does a good job pounding out the sound. EQ is quite nice giving all the sounds that you need.

The sound is just great. My EMG pickups are the exposed pole, (EP} pickups. The preamp does a fine job at creating the sound that you want.

The bass was set up perfectly. The pickups were right on. Fit and finish were superb with no loose parts. Its so very quiet that you have to hit a string to see if its on.

It should withstand any live playing situation. Maybe it wouldnt survive being thrown across the stage, bu it will last. Strap buttons were solid, but I replaced them with sperzel locks. I put a bit of glue on the screw when replacing them. Never a problem, and they come out with a little more force.

The warranty is lifetime LTD which is not to shabby. I dealt with them once. The neck of my LTD MH200 started to bulge at the 21st fret. I sent it back and they replaced it. No shipping cost to me at all.

I have been playing over 40 years. I have mant guitars, amps and basses. To many to list, but it ranges from Alembic to Warwick. The guitars are Fender 2, Brian Moore 2, LTD 1, Ovation 1, Carvin 3, and many others. I would buy this bass again if it were lost. I chose this model because of sound and a great feel and balance.

i was whaiting for a good bass between 350 and 450 dolars, took like 3 or 4 months to choose one, two emg active pick ups, 24 frets, 3 bands eq, whit these system you dont need another equalizer i play it in a simple SWR 15 LA SERIES, and the sound is clear. beautyful shape and finish (wood), it is light and the neck is one piece with the body, a very goon bass for 400 dolars i dont see any rebate that kick this bass on the net.
a very condfortable neck

it is the most important thing in any bass or guitar.
2 active emg pick ups to do what you want,
low and midle bands in 0 and full treeble gives you noise, but no one plays this equalization.
a good price for those pick ups

i play well and condfortable
(sound is most importat thing)

it is made in korea, but its ok.if i keep giving 10 you will think that im an ashole

its a solid bass whit solid accesories

i dont need it

very well sound, dont need more, dont need a 5 or 6 strings' bass,
that is for super musicians. a lot of bass players have a 5 or 6
strings bass, but they dont need it ( even in mtv or radio), just
have it because they think they are cool whit one of it.

24 fret, 4 string, 2 EMG Active pickups, 3 band EQ, gold annondized hardware. Very solidly made bass.

Basically OK. Hard to tell because the pickup blend control does not work. At the centre detent, it's half bridge, half neck pickup. Move away from the detent in either direction and it (noisily!) jumps straight to either picup. I.E. there is NO blend, and it crackles and pops anyway. I've been trying to get it fixed by the dealer for nearly 3 months. Not happy.

Everything was EXCELLENT. Plays very well (awesomly, in fact), looks good, great finish. It's all good, except for the blend control (see above).

Seems to be bullet proof. No issues so far.

Not having a lot of luck with this (see notes on blend control above). I do expect to get it resolved, but it's taking time.

Guitar has been a hobby for 20 years. Only recently changed to bass (the ESP is my first serious bass). It is excellent to play, and, even with the issues around the blend control, I'd probably buy another.

New 24 fret, ESP LTD Korean made model, 4 string, curly maple top, NECK-THROUGH (!), 2 EMG-Hz (Active) pickups, 3 band EQ, Mahogany sides and neck (7 piece!), gold annondized hardware, ESP tuners split shaft (my favorite). Thats the specifics....TOP NOTCH....WOW. I normally NEVER would have considered spending this kind of dough on an import Korean guitar...this one blew my mind. Read on......

Every sound imaginable on bass, really extremely versatile bass. These pickups are incredible....I put them to an A/B test side by side with my Jazz bass (passive) with Seymour Duncan Antiquities....I never knew what I was missing. The bass practically plays itself. Effortless, pleasure to play bass now. Before, it was WORK! Use it on an old Ampeg V-4B head through cab. Just great!

This is the key, setup RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX by ESP American shop is what I was told. WOW>>>>>WOW>>>>>WOW>>>>>. You've got to go try one of these! Rarely have I picked up an instrument and IMMEDIATELY felt comfortable with it. It's that natural finish, smooth as silk. Really good. Pickups line up precisely over pole pieces...again, just top notch. Neck through the body construction, much like the much more expensive Alembic, Rickenbacker, etc. lines. Incredible value for the money!

Seems very solid....time will only tell. Can't fairly give any opinion at this point.

Two Words....LIFETIME WARRANTY! Enough said. Who else offers this?

One of the few instruments in this price range that blew my mind...just try one out. You will see what I am raving about.
GO! RUN!!! Before they are sold out....I hear the waiting list at ESP is over 2 Months on backorders right now! GO GO GO! :)
Peace...out.