Pricing and availability

Average Price: $375

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

Experience a fusion of vintage aesthetics and modern playability with the LTD Vintage-204, a bass guitar that pays homage to classic designs while delivering contemporary performance. Crafted under the renowned LTD brand, this electric bass is designed for musicians who appreciate the timeless look of a well-loved instrument with the reliability and feel of a brand new one.

The LTD Vintage-204 boasts a distressed finish, giving it an authentic road-worn appearance that tells a story of countless gigs and jam sessions. At its core, it features a lightweight basswood body, offering a comfortable playing experience without sacrificing tonal depth. The bolt-on maple neck with a roasted jatoba fingerboard ensures a smooth and responsive feel, perfect for any style from rock to funk.

Equipped with a pair of ESP Designed passive pickups, this bass delivers a versatile tonal range, from deep, punchy lows to bright, articulate highs. The inclusion of a bridge and neck pickup balance control allows you to sculpt your sound to fit any musical context, whether laying down a solid groove or taking the spotlight for a solo.

Key Features:

  • Distressed finish for a vintage look and feel
  • Lightweight basswood body for comfortable playability
  • Maple neck with roasted jatoba fingerboard
  • ESP Designed passive pickups for versatile sound
  • Balance control for bridge and neck pickups
  • Classic 4-string configuration
  • Bolt-on construction for a traditional neck feel

Product specs

Brand ESP LTD
Model Vintage-204 with Rosewood Fretboard
Finish Distressed 3 Tone Burst
Year 2011 - 2012
Categories 4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp No Preamp
Body Material Alder
Body Shape P-Style
Color Family Brown
Finish Features Relic
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 21
Number of Strings 4-String
Pickup Configuration Split-Coil / S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the ESP LTD Vintage-204 bass?

The ESP LTD Vintage-204 bass delivers a classic, warm tone with its passive split-coil pickups, making it suitable for a variety of music styles, particularly rock and blues.

Is the ESP LTD Vintage-204 suitable for beginner bass players?

Yes, the ESP LTD Vintage-204 is a great choice for beginners due to its comfortable P-style body shape and easy playability, making it ideal for those learning the bass guitar.

What is the neck profile like on the ESP LTD Vintage-204?

The neck of the ESP LTD Vintage-204 is made of maple and features a comfortable, slim profile, which is designed to facilitate smooth playability and easy access across the fretboard.

What materials are used in the construction of the ESP LTD Vintage-204?

The ESP LTD Vintage-204 features an alder body with a maple neck and a rosewood fretboard, offering a balanced tone with enhanced sustain and resonance.

Does the ESP LTD Vintage-204 bass have active electronics?

No, the ESP LTD Vintage-204 bass is equipped with passive pickups and does not include an active preamp, providing a straightforward, classic bass sound.

Willy Franklin

Willy Franklin

ESP LTD Vintage 204 Bass - Review

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Vintage 204 Bass - Review by Willy Franklin

ESP LTD Vintage 204 Bass - Review

Willy Franklin

Willy Franklin

Video thumbnail for Players Planet Product Overview - ESP/LTD Vintage 204 Bass Guitar by PlayersPlanetOz

Players Planet Product Overview - ESP/LTD Vintage 204 Bass Guitar

PlayersPlanetOz

PlayersPlanetOz

Video thumbnail for LTD Vintage 204 Bass Guitar - Guitars and Sounds by GuitarsandSoundsTV

LTD Vintage 204 Bass Guitar - Guitars and Sounds

GuitarsandSoundsTV

GuitarsandSoundsTV

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Vintage 204 Bass - Modified by Willy Franklin

ESP LTD Vintage 204 Bass - Modified

Willy Franklin

Willy Franklin

Video thumbnail for LTD vintage 204 by Hazmeer Rojani

LTD vintage 204

Hazmeer Rojani

Hazmeer Rojani

Video thumbnail for Ltd Vintage-204    Rock!! by Rodrigo Suspiro

Ltd Vintage-204 Rock!!

Rodrigo Suspiro

Rodrigo Suspiro

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Vintage-204 Bass - Dimarzio DP126BK Soundcheck by Dean Wingerter

ESP LTD Vintage-204 Bass - Dimarzio DP126BK Soundcheck

Dean Wingerter

Dean Wingerter

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD Vintage 204 Bass 2011 Soundcheck by Tamás Pógyor

ESP LTD Vintage 204 Bass 2011 Soundcheck

Tamás Pógyor

Tamás Pógyor

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about LTD Vintage-204.

Features and functionality

  • The LTD Vintage-204 is noted for having a unique original shape within the LTD line, distinguishing it from other models.

    Source
  • The Apollo Jazz pickups, used in mods, are linear humbuckers noted for approximating single-coil sound without hum, offering a balance between classic tone and modern quietness.

    Source

User experience

  • Users find that the pickups on the LTD Vintage-204 improve significantly when driven hard and played with heavy picking, enhancing the tonal output.

    Source
  • One user noted a significant improvement in sound quality after replacing the stock tuners, highlighting potential hardware limitations in original components.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners compare the LTD Vintage-204 to the F-4 model, suggesting differences in workmanship and finish, with a recommendation to test both if possible.

    Source
  • The Surveyor 87 model has been compared to the Vintage-204, with both models showing similar issues like fret end discomfort, suggesting a trend in LTD's quality control.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The LTD Vintage-204 was popular in the death metal/Deathcore scene in the late 2000s, indicating its suitability for heavier music genres.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners considering pickup changes for the LTD Vintage-204 often opt for Seymour Duncan STK J1B noiseless bridge pickups for reduced hum and enhanced tonal clarity.

    Source
  • Seymour Duncan pickups offer three noiseless Jazz variants: Classic Stack, Hot Stack, and Apollo Jazz, each providing different hum-canceling configurations suited for various tonal preferences.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Pickup cavity dimensions aren't readily available, requiring users to measure directly or consult a luthier when upgrading pickups on the LTD Vintage-204.

    Source
  • Some owners have experienced issues with the plastic nut degrading sound quality, requiring replacement for optimal performance.

    Source

Build quality

  • Reports indicate the fret ends on the Vintage-204 can be excessively long, causing discomfort and potential injury to the left hand over extended play sessions.

    Source

Critic Reviews

ESP LTD Vintage-204 Bass Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The LTD Vintage-204 offers a solid entry into vintage-styled basses with its appealing aesthetics and comfortable playability. While the build quality impresses, the pickups leave something to be desired, with the bridge lacking depth and fullness. Despite these tonal shortcomings, the bass manages to cover a range of styles adequately, making it a viable option for beginners or as a backup instrument. Its affordable price of $349.99 makes it an attractive choice, but players may find themselves looking for upgrades down the line. Overall, the Vintage-204 is a commendable effort that falls just short of greatness.

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