The ESP LTD Surveyor 405 bass guitar recently caught my attention, primarily to explore the capabilities of the EMG MMTW pickup. My initial experience has been nothing short of impressive. This bass is a true powerhouse, delivering a potent and articulate sound with remarkable sustain.
While it possesses a substantial weight (unfortunately, I don’t have precise scale measurements), the Surveyor 405 achieves excellent balance, contributing to comfortable playability. The build quality is immediately apparent, boasting high-quality electronics and reliable tuners. The neck feels incredibly solid, and the factory action is set up nicely for immediate playing. In terms of overall feel and performance, it evokes memories of a Yamaha TRB1005 I owned previously, sharing a similar level of quality and responsiveness. Beyond its aggressive capabilities, this Esp Bass Guitar offers surprising versatility. It provides both a pleasing passive sound and a range of active tones, making it adaptable beyond its primary role as a rock-oriented instrument. I recently used it in a band setting for the first time, and it seamlessly integrated into our rock sound, earning compliments on its tone and presence.
However, I do have a couple of personal observations, which are more related to my playing style than any inherent flaws in the bass itself. Firstly, during practice, I found myself not utilizing the B string as much as I anticipated, leading me to consider whether a 4-string version might have been more suitable for my immediate needs. Secondly, the powerful EMG pickups require mindful muting techniques to ensure silence when desired, a testament to their sensitivity and output.
To gain another perspective, I had the bass delivered to a trusted bass-playing friend before I could personally receive it. His feedback further solidified my positive impression: “[i]It’s as big and heavy as my black Overwater, Plays really nicely, lovely neck, hardly knew I was playing a five string, dunno what the controls are but its got a lovely sound from the bridge pickup, and a nice almost precision sound from the neck pickup – nice and poppy if you want it to be. but that b string shook the floor! Roll on the bass and strike it and it’ll sink a ship[/i]”. His comments particularly highlighted the comfortable playability, diverse sound options, and the impactful low B string.
While my direct experience with other ESP bass guitar models is limited to a brief encounter with a Viper bass (whose body shape and ergonomics didn’t suit me), I have played a 10-year-old Fender Jazz Deluxe, which also impressed me with its power and quality. Overall, the ESP LTD Surveyor 405 stands out as a well-crafted, powerful, and versatile instrument, particularly well-suited for rock genres and players seeking a high-performance 5-string bass.
