ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Lefty Electric Bass Black
Description
ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Lefty Electric Bass Black
The Surveyor '87 delivers vintage character in a left-handed platform built for serious players. Lightweight alder body paired with a maple neck creates immediate response and natural sustain—the kind of feel that translates directly from your hands to the stage. The Macassar ebony fingerboard and 21 extra-jumbo frets give you a smooth playing surface that handles fingerstyle precision and aggressive pick work with equal authority.
Playability & Construction
The 34" scale length with 42mm molded nut width is built around left-handed players' needs, establishing a familiar foundation. Bolt-on maple neck construction paired with alder body keeps the bass stable under the rigors of live work—reliable tuning retention and tonal clarity when you need it most. The 400mm fingerboard radius and 21 XJ frets create zero dead spots, supporting both smooth legato lines and aggressive articulation across the entire neck.
Tone & Electronics
Seymour Duncan Vintage P pickup at the neck and Seymour Duncan Vintage Jazz pickup at the bridge give you authentic vintage voice with clarity throughout the frequency range—the kind of tonal character that sits in a mix and cuts through in any venue. The Volume/Balance/Tone control layout sits within intuitive reach, letting you shape your sound on the fly. The Gotoh 203-B4 bridge locks in precise intonation and delivers the sustain that pairs perfectly with these vintage pickups.
Key Features
- Left-handed configuration with bolt-on construction
- 34" scale length with 42mm molded nut width
- Alder body and maple neck
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with 400mm radius
- 21 extra-jumbo (XJ) frets
- Seymour Duncan Vintage P neck pickup and Vintage Jazz bridge pickup
- Volume/Balance/Tone electronics layout
- Gotoh 203-B4 bridge hardware
- LTD Vintage tuners with black hardware finish
- Black finish throughout
- Approximately 8.5 lbs weight
- Equipped with D'Addario XL165 strings (.045/.065/.085/.105)
The Surveyor '87 pairs vintage electronics with rock-solid construction in a left-handed format—a working instrument for players and collectors who won't compromise on feel or reliability.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Left handed |
| Country of Manufacture | Indonesia |
Reviews
At a Glance
The ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Lefty is a left-handed precision bass built around warm vintage character and articulate midrange clarity, ideal for jazz, funk, and studio work where nuanced dynamics matter. Its lightweight alder body, responsive maple neck, and dual Seymour Duncan Vintage pickups deliver authentic tones with smooth sustain and natural articulation—no compromise on playability or intonation. Left-handed players who need a reliable, road-tested instrument that sits comfortably in the hands and responds immediately to fingerstyle and pick techniques will find this bass ready for live gigs and session work.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Jazz
- ✓ Funk
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Live Performance
Not the best pick for
- – Metal
- – Djent
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this bass suitable for metal or aggressive music?
No—the Surveyor '87 is optimized for jazz, funk, studio sessions, and live performance where vintage warmth and articulate clarity are priorities. The warm tone profile and dynamics-responsive nature make it less suited to metal and djent styles.
What skill level do I need to play this bass?
This is an intermediate-to-professional instrument designed for players with solid technique. The 21 extra-jumbo frets, 400mm fingerboard radius, and responsive construction reward dynamic playing from fingerstyle to pick work without dead spots.
What are the key specifications for this left-handed bass?
The Surveyor '87 Lefty features a 34" scale length, 42mm molded nut width, lightweight alder body, maple neck, and Macassar ebony fingerboard with 400mm radius. Electronics include Seymour Duncan Vintage P and Jazz pickups, Gotoh 203-B4 bridge, and a Volume/Balance/Tone control layout. It ships with D'Addario XL165 strings and weighs approximately 8.5 lbs.
How does this compare to other vintage-style precision basses?
The Surveyor '87 sits alongside the Fender Precision Bass and Fender Jazz Bass as a warmly voiced, articulate instrument. Its dual Seymour Duncan Vintage pickups and bolt-on construction deliver authentic vintage character with modern build stability and left-handed accessibility that many players seek.
What kind of tones should I expect from this bass?
Expect warm vintage character with clarity across the frequency spectrum, articulate midrange, and natural sustain. The dual Seymour Duncan pickups respond immediately to dynamic playing, delivering precision in jazz and funk settings while maintaining definition in studio tracking and live performance.