Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (3)
$599.00
Reverb
5.0 (1)
$975.00 New
$650.00 Used
zZounds
5.0 (5)
$999.00
Thomann
4.3 (3)
$899.00

Average Price: $854

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass in Pearl White is a faithful re-creation of the popular bass first introduced in ESP’s 1987 catalog. This bass is a nod to the past while still embracing contemporary features that appeal to today's bassists.

The Surveyor '87 is designed with an alder body, known for its rich low-end resonance and punchy mid-range. This bass is not just about tone but also comfort and playability - The 34-inch maple bolt-on neck, topped with a Macassar ebony fingerboard, delivers a clear, crisp attack, while the Thin "U" neck profile and contoured armrest ensure a comfortable playing experience.

A standout feature is the P/J pickup combination featuring a Seymour Duncan Vintage P/Vintage Jazz pickup set, offering flexible tone-shaping options to cater to various musical genres and styles. The bass is rounded off with distinctive black hardware, a Gotoh 201-B4 bridge, and LTD vintage tuners, making it not just a stellar performer but also a visually striking instrument.

Key Features:

  • Faithful re-creation of the ’87 ESP Surveyor Bass
  • Alder body with a contoured armrest
  • Thin "U" profile 34-inch maple bolt-on neck with Macassar ebony fingerboard
  • 21 extra-jumbo nickel silver alloy frets
  • Distinctive headstock and striking black hardware
  • Seymour Duncan Vintage P/Vintage Jazz pickup set
  • Gotoh 201-B4 bridge and LTD vintage tuners
  • Passive electronics with controls for Volume, Balance, and Tone
  • Comes in a stunning Pearl White finish

Product specs

Number of Strings 4
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Shape LTD Surveyor '87
Body Material Alder
Body Finish Gloss
Neck Material Maple
Neck Shape Thin U
Radius 15.7"
Fingerboard Inlay White Dots
Number of Frets 21, Extra Jumbo
Scale Length 34"
Nut Width 1.653"
Nut Material Molded Plastic
Bridge/Tailpiece Gotoh 201B-4
Tuners LTD Vintage
Neck Pickup Seymour Duncan Vintage P Split Single-coil
Bridge Pickup Seymour Duncan Vintage Jazz Single-coil
Controls 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone, 1 x blend
Strings D'Addario, .045-.105
Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately

FAQs

What type of pickups does the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass use?

The ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass is equipped with Seymour Duncan Vintage P Split Single-coil for the neck pickup and Seymour Duncan Vintage Jazz Single-coil for the bridge pickup, providing a classic and versatile tone suitable for various music styles.

What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass?

The neck of the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass features a Thin U profile, offering a comfortable and fast playing experience, which is ideal for both beginners and advanced players.

Is the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass suitable for live performances?

Yes, with its solid alder body, high-quality pickups, and Gotoh 201B-4 bridge, the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass delivers reliable performance and great sound projection, making it suitable for live gigs.

Does the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass come with a case or gig bag?

The ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass does not come with a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately to protect the instrument during transport.

What kind of music genres is the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass best suited for?

The ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass, with its versatile Seymour Duncan pickups, excels in genres ranging from rock and jazz to funk and pop, making it a great all-around choice for bassists.

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: Surveyor '87 Bass Demo by Joey Vera (Armored Saint)

Video thumbnail for ESP Guitars: Surveyor '87 Bass Demo by Joey Vera (Armored Saint) by ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: Surveyor '87 Bass Demo by Joey Vera (Armored Saint)

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars USA

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass | Faithful Recreation from ESP's 1987 Catalog by Euge Valovirta

ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass | Faithful Recreation from ESP's 1987 Catalog

Euge Valovirta

Euge Valovirta

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD SURVEYOR '87 PEARL WHITE в ДЕЛЕ by Leos Hellscream

ESP LTD SURVEYOR '87 PEARL WHITE в ДЕЛЕ

Leos Hellscream

Leos Hellscream

Reviews

PROS

  • Seymour Duncan pickups offer a versatile and dynamic tonal range.

  • Thin neck profile is comfortable and ideal for fast playing.

  • Ebony fretboard provides a crisp, clean playing experience.

  • High-quality GOTOH bridge offers solid tuning stability.

  • Pearl White finish has a slight iridescence, looks stunning under stage lights.

  • Good weight balance; feels sturdy without being overly heavy.

  • P/J pickup configuration provides a wide range of sonic versatility.

  • Aesthetically pleasing with black hardware complementing the finish.

  • Plays beautifully out of the box with excellent fretwork.

  • Neck is wider than a Jazz bass, offering better string spacing.

CONS

  • Some units arrived with minor quality control issues, like loose screws and rough wood.

  • Tuning keys reported as sticky and lower quality, potentially causing tuning instability.

  • Some customers experienced mismatched or faulty hardware, such as knobs and bolts.

  • Occasional microphonic P-bass pickup can be a turn off for some players.

  • Heavier than some might prefer for extended playing sessions.

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass.

Comparisons

  • ESP LTD Surveyor '87 is favored over similar Fender models for its superior hardware, pickups, and neck quality, making it a strong contender in its price range.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Priced similarly to Fender's MIM Special Edition Deluxe PJ Bass, the Surveyor '87 is perceived as offering better value with higher quality components.

    Source

User experience

  • Long-term LTD users report no significant issues over years of ownership, indicating reliable performance and build quality.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The ESP LTD line, including the Surveyor '87, is often compared to Epiphone rather than Squier, indicating a mid-tier market position.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
bennohoundsuk

Stunning instrument!

Love the colour, love how it sounds and I absolutely love the thing neck!

Roles:
Genres:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jared MacEachern uses ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass

Jared MacEachern

Singer, Bassist

Machine Head

...
Verified via Photo

from his Instagram: Shoutout to @tonyrauser and ESP and @tommyarmstrongleavitt from @emgpickups for hooking me up with this gorgeous Surveyor bass! I recently developed a hankering for a “P-bass”, and they delivered. #bassguitar #espbass #pbass #bassplayer

See how Taylor Allen uses ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass

Taylor Allen

Singer, Bassist

SeeYouSpaceCowboy

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by gardenofflesh_, Taylor Allen is pictured playing an ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass in Pearl White during a tour performance.

See how Chuck Platt uses ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass

Chuck Platt

Composer

Good Riddance

...
Verified via YouTube

At 10:00 in this video, Chuck is seen using an ESP LTD Surveyor Bass with a PJ pickup combination.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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