Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $854
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Budget
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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
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What type of pickups does the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass use?
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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.
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What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass?
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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.
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Is the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass suitable for live performances?
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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.
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Does the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass come with a case or gig bag?
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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.
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What kind of music genres is the ESP LTD Surveyor '87 Bass best suited for?
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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.
Videos
ESP Guitars USA
ESP Guitars: Surveyor '87 Bass Demo by Joey Vera (Armored Saint)
Reviews
PROS
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Seymour Duncan pickups offer a versatile and dynamic tonal range.
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Thin neck profile is comfortable and ideal for fast playing.
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Ebony fretboard provides a crisp, clean playing experience.
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High-quality GOTOH bridge offers solid tuning stability.
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Pearl White finish has a slight iridescence, looks stunning under stage lights.
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Good weight balance; feels sturdy without being overly heavy.
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P/J pickup configuration provides a wide range of sonic versatility.
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Aesthetically pleasing with black hardware complementing the finish.
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Plays beautifully out of the box with excellent fretwork.
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Neck is wider than a Jazz bass, offering better string spacing.
CONS
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Some units arrived with minor quality control issues, like loose screws and rough wood.
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Tuning keys reported as sticky and lower quality, potentially causing tuning instability.
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Some customers experienced mismatched or faulty hardware, such as knobs and bolts.
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Occasional microphonic P-bass pickup can be a turn off for some players.
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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
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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
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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
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Long-term LTD users report no significant issues over years of ownership, indicating reliable performance and build quality.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
253
Artist usage
Add artist
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
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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