ESP LTD SURVEYOR-204DX BLACK BURST guitar
Description
ESP LTD Surveyor-204DX Black Burst
The Surveyor-204DX is a compact 34" scale bass engineered to cut through dense mixes with clarity and depth while remaining comfortable for marathon recording sessions. Its thin U-profile neck and lightweight poplar body reduce fatigue during long takes, while the active electronics deliver the punch and articulation needed to sit perfectly in contemporary productions. The striking Black Burst finish photographs and videos well in any studio environment.
Recording Stability & Build
Built on a bolt-on maple neck with roasted maple construction, this bass maintains excellent tuning consistency across full sessions and provides minimal neck dive during seated recording work. The Thin U profile pairs with a 40mm nut width and 21 extra-jumbo frets across a 400mm fingerboard radius, allowing precise intonation control and quick finger positioning across the entire neck during overdubs. The 34" scale keeps the instrument balanced and responsive, ideal for tracking complex bass lines.
Tone Shaping & Session Versatility
The dual pickup configuration—ESP LJB bridge and ESP LPD neck pickup—captures everything from tight, defined low end to articulate midrange character, making it easy to find the right tone for different track styles. Active volume, balance, and tone boost controls provide precise real-time shaping during tracking and re-amping, while the LTD DB-4 fixed bridge ensures tuning remains rock-solid across multiple takes. Factory-strung with D'Addario XL165 strings (.045, .065, .085, .105), the instrument arrives ready for immediate studio use.
Key Features
- Body: Poplar with burled poplar top
- Neck: Roasted maple with Thin U profile
- Scale: 34"
- Fingerboard: Rosewood with 21 extra-jumbo frets
- Fingerboard radius: 400mm
- Nut width: 40mm
- Pickups: ESP LJB (bridge) and ESP LPD (neck)
- Active controls: Volume, balance, and tone boost
- Bridge: LTD DB-4 fixed
- Tuners: LTD vintage
- Hardware: Black
- Finish: Gloss lacquer, Black Burst
The Surveyor-204DX combines professional-grade electronics and hardware with a design built for both comfort and dependable performance.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Country of Manufacture | South Korea |
Reviews
At a Glance
The Surveyor-204DX is a recording-ready 4-string bass that cuts through dense mixes with tight low end and articulate midrange clarity. Its active electronics—volume, balance, and tone boost controls—let you shape tone on the fly during tracking or overdubs, while the dual ESP pickups capture both definition and punch. The compact 34-scale neck and lightweight body reduce fatigue during long studio sessions, and the factory D'Addario XL165 strings arrive ready to record.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ funk
- ✓ studio sessions
- ✓ gigging
- ✓ live performance
Not the best pick for
- – folk
- – traditional jazz
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level is this bass suited for?
The Surveyor-204DX is designed for intermediate to advanced players and professionals. The 21 extra-jumbo frets, 40mm nut width, and thin U-profile neck make fast transitions and precise intonation accessible, and the active electronics reward players who know how to shape tone intentionally.
What genres does this bass work best for?
This is a great fit for funk, studio sessions, and live performance where clarity and punch are essential. The tight low end and articulate midrange excel in those contexts, though the modern active tone may be less suited to folk or traditional jazz applications.
How does the 34-scale compact size affect playability?
The 34-scale keeps the instrument balanced and responsive without feeling cramped, making extended playing sessions effortless. The lightweight poplar body and thin U-profile neck further reduce fatigue, especially valuable during long gigs or studio tracking.
What electronics and hardware are included?
The bass features dual ESP pickups (LJB bridge, LPD neck), active volume, balance, and tone boost controls for comprehensive shaping, and an LTD DB-4 fixed bridge for rock-solid tuning stability. It ships with factory D'Addario XL165 strings ready to play.
How does this compare to other compact active basses?
The Surveyor-204DX sits alongside the Ibanez SR505, Yamaha TRBX505, and Schecter Stiletto 5 as a modern, playable compact 4-string. ESP's roasted maple neck construction and dual pickup configuration offer solid stability and tonal versatility in the same performance class.
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