ESP To Unveil E-II Series Basses at NAMM
ESP will be unveiling the first batch of products from their new US factory at NAMM this year. The instruments will be part of the new E-II series and will be built in North Hollywood, California.
Among the new basses will be the ESP E-II AP-4 and AP-5 models. Each of the four and five-sting versions are built with bolt-on construction and a 34″ scale. Components include a white ash body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard with 21 XJ frets. The neck features a thin “U” contour and is fitted with a bone nut.
The models are fitted with a pair of Duncan SMB pickups (5D for the AP-5 and 4D for the AP-4). A Duncan STC 3M4 preamp with a 3-band active EQ is also included. The bridges and tuner are by Gotoh while Schaller strap locks come standard.
The ESP E-II Series AP-4 and AP-5 basses will be debuted at Winter NAMM with See Thru White, See Thru Black, and Tobacco Sunburst finishes. Street prices range from $1,699 to $1,799. For more info, check out the ESP website.
ESP E-II AP-4 Photos:
ESP E-II AP-4 Specs:
| Strings: | 4 |
| Construction: | Bolt-on |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | White Ash |
| Neck: | Maple |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood |
| Nut: | 38mm Bone |
| Neck Shape: | Thin U Neck Contour |
| Frets: | 21 XJ |
| Hardware: | Chrome |
| Tuners: | Gotoh |
| Bridge: | Gotoh |
| Strap Locks: | Schaller |
| Pickups: | Duncan SMB-4D for 4-string, Duncan SMB-5D for 5-string |
| Electronics: | Duncan STC-3M4 3-band |
| Finishes: | See Thru White, See Thru Black, Tobacco Sunburst |
| Case: | ESP Hardshell Case included |
i really like this series of basses and it is a lot cheaper than double buck basses from music man and warwick. i need to see if fender still makes the double buck precision bass anymore but this looks like a solid offering. i do wish that they would offer a version with the EMG humbuckers because i am more familier with them never played a duncan humbucker bass before. The main reason why i would want the EMG humbuckers would be they can be split into single coil mode for extra versatility. only thing i am disapointed in is the color choices because ESP is known for buitifully painted guitars but i will withold my judgement because see-thru white and see-thru black sees intriguing