ESP Adds Fretless and 5-String Basses to LTD Thinline Series

ESP expanded their Thinline acoustic bass series this year with the TL-4Z Fretless and the TL-5SM. The models are four- and five-string basses, respectively, that feature modern aesthetic with exotic tops.

The TL-4Z Fretless carries the same features of the TL-4Z in a fretless format. Its body is built with chambered mahogany and topped by zebrawood in a natural gloss finish. The three-piece mahogany neck has a thin U-shaped profile, while its fretless rosewood fingerboard is inlaid with line markers for visualizing the notes. ESP loads the bridge with a Fishman Sonicore pickup, which is matched to a Fishman TL-3 preamp with an onboard tuner.

The five-string TL-5SM takes the same construction but is topped with a spalted maple top and headstock. It is a fretted model with 22 jumbo frets.

Get a taste of the new basses with this demo:

The ESP TL-4Z Fretless and the TL-5SM will be available soon with street prices of $599 and $629.

ESP LTD Thinline TL-4Z Fretless Bass Specs:

Construction:Set-Neck
Scale:34″
Body:Mahogany
Top:Zebrawood
Neck:3-piece Mahogany
Fingerboard:Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius:400mm
Finish:Natural Gloss
Nut Width:40mm
Nut Type:Graphtech Nubone XB
Neck Contour:Thin U
Frets/Type:22 J
Hardware Color:Chrome
Strap Button:Standard
Tuners:Grover
Bridge:Rosewood W/ Graphtech Nubone XB Saddle
Pickup:Fishman Sonicore
Electronics:Fishman Tl-3 Preamp W/ Onboard Tuner

ESP LTD Thinline TL-5SM Specs:

Construction:Set-Neck
Scale:34″
Body:Mahogany
Top:Spalted Maple
Neck:3-piece Mahogany
Fingerboard:Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius:400mm
Finish:Natural Gloss
Nut Width:40mm
Nut Type:Molded
Neck Contour:Thin U
Frets/Type:22 J
Hardware Color:Chrome
Strap Button:Standard
Tuners:Grover
Bridge:Rosewood W/ Molded Saddle
Pickup:Fishman Sonicore
Electronics:Fishman Tl-3 Preamp W/ Onboard Tuner

Get Bass Gear News in your inbox.

Stay up to date on the latest bass gear news (every Thursday).

Share your thoughts