LSURVEYOR87RBCRK vs LTA604FRXBLKS — Compare
ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Electric Bass Rainbow Crackle vs ESP LTD TA-604 Frx Bass in Black Satin
The Surveyor '87 is a warm, vintage-voiced bass built for funk, jazz, and classic rock styles, while the TA-604 FRX is an aggressive, high-output instrument designed for metal and hard rock. Choose the Surveyor for articulate, smooth playing across traditional genres; choose the TA-604 FRX if you need tight lows and punchy mids for heavy music.
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ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Electric Bass Rainbow Crackle
Specs side by side
| ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Electric Bass Rainbow Crackle | ESP LTD TA-604 Frx Bass in Black Satin | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.00 | $1,599.00 |
| Brand | ESP LTD | ESP LTD |
| Body | — | Modern Bass |
| Body Type | Solid | Solid |
| Scale | — | 35" Scale |
| Strings | 4 | 4 |
| Frets | — | 24 Frets |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Neck | — | Maple |
| Neck Construction | — | Neck-Thru-Body |
| Pickup Configuration | — | Active HH |
| Year | 2021 | — |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Electric Bass Rainbow Crackle
- ✓ Vintage-voiced Seymour Duncan pickups deliver warm, full-bodied tone ideal for funk and jazz
- ✓ Thin U-contour neck and ebony fingerboard make extended passages comfortable and effortless
- ✓ Passive electronics offer simple, reliable tone-shaping without active circuitry complexity
- ✓ Mid-tier pricing makes it accessible for intermediate to advanced players exploring classic styles
Why choose ESP LTD TA-604 Frx Bass in Black Satin
- ✓ Neck-thru maple construction ensures superior sustain and resonance for demanding styles
- ✓ Twin EMG 35DC active pickups deliver tight lows and punchy mids with minimal noise
- ✓ 35-inch scale and 24 extra-jumbo frets support fast action and articulation in high-gain contexts
- ✓ Signature model with professional-grade components and active tone-shaping controls
Frequently asked questions
Which bass works better for metal and hard rock?
The TA-604 FRX is designed specifically for metal and hard rock, with tight lows, punchy mids, and high-output active pickups. The Surveyor '87 is not ideal for metal due to its warm, vintage-voiced character.
What's the main difference in neck construction?
The Surveyor '87 uses bolt-on alder body with maple neck, while the TA-604 FRX features neck-thru maple construction for superior sustain. The TA-604 FRX's 35-inch scale is also one inch longer than the Surveyor's 34-inch scale.
How do the electronics differ?
The Surveyor '87 uses passive electronics with Volume/Balance/Tone controls, keeping the signal pure and simple. The TA-604 FRX uses active EMG 35DC pickups with dedicated active controls for more aggressive tone-shaping and noise reduction.
Which bass is better for funk and jazz?
The Surveyor '87 is explicitly designed for funk and jazz, with vintage-voiced Seymour Duncan pickups that deliver articulate high-end clarity. The TA-604 FRX is not ideal for these genres due to its aggressive, metal-focused character.