Choosing among ESP LTD four-string basses comes down to more than a black finish or a familiar shape. This group spans 34- and 35-inch scales, bolt-on and neck-through construction, 21- and 24-fret necks, and distinctly different visual directions. The useful shortcut is to decide whether your priority is the lowest listed price, a 34-inch active bass, a burled natural-burst look, or an all-black 35-inch build.
Quick take
The listed prices span $740, but each bass occupies a different lane rather than simply a higher-or-lower position. The TA-204 FRX is the lowest-listed choice and leans into its Tom Araya/Slayer styling. The D-4 is the visual outlier with Black Natural Burst Satin and burled poplar. The PHOENIX-1004 is the 34-inch-scale alternative with active Fishman electronics, while the F-4 Black Metal is the new-condition, all-black option with a 35-inch neck-through design.
Listed price comparison
| Bass | Listed price | Price position | Quick identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESP LTD PHOENIX-1004 | USD 1,229.99 | 34-inch scale, neck-through design | |
| ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya | USD 559.00 | 35-inch bolt-on with Slayer pentagram inlays | |
| ESP LTD D-4 Burled Poplar | USD 695.00 | Black Natural Burst Satin and poplar body | |
| ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal | USD 1,299.00 | New, 35-inch neck-through, single-pickup layout |
Decision matrix
- Start with the TA-204 FRX when the lowest listed price is the main boundary and a signature-styled bass suits the intended look.
- Pick the PHOENIX-1004 when a 34-inch scale is non-negotiable and active Fishman Fluence SB-1 pickups matter more than a 24-fret layout.
- Move toward the D-4 when Black Natural Burst Satin and burled poplar are the defining aesthetic priorities, with cosmetic condition part of the decision.
- Choose the F-4 Black Metal for a new right-handed bass with a 35-inch scale, 24 frets, and a deliberately stripped-back Black Metal presentation.
Product notes
ESP LTD PHOENIX-1004
The PHOENIX-1004 is the clear choice for players who want the listed 34-inch scale paired with neck-through-body construction. Its five-piece mahogany/walnut neck, mahogany body wings, Macassar ebony fingerboard, and Fishman Fluence SB-1 active pickups give it a feature set focused on construction and electronic control. The satin neck-back finish, reverse headstock, brushed black pickguard, vintage-style tuners, and Gotoh 201B-4 bridge add to its particular presentation. The main limitation is its stated 21 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets: shoppers specifically seeking a 24-fret neck should look to the TA-204 FRX or F-4 instead.
ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya
The TA-204 FRX makes the strongest case for shoppers who want to keep the listed price at the bottom of this four-bass group without giving up a 35-inch scale. It uses a bolt-on design with a basswood body, maple neck, roasted jatoba fingerboard, 24 extra-jumbo frets, and ESP Designed SB-4 pickups. Its black satin treatment is closely tied to the Tom Araya signature identity, including Slayer pentagram inlays. That visual commitment is also the limitation: the themed inlays make this a less neutral-looking choice than the Phoenix-1004, D-4, or F-4 Black Metal.
ESP LTD D-4 Burled Poplar
The D-4 is the pick for a player drawn first to woodgrain character rather than an all-black or silver sunburst direction. The Black Natural Burst Satin finish and burled poplar top set it apart visually, while the listed solid body and right-handed configuration keep it squarely in the electric-bass category. Its D Series description also emphasizes neck-through-body construction, making it a compelling middle-priced route to that construction style. Cosmetic tolerance is the key limitation here: a rub or mark at the inner nook and evidence of play in two back areas are part of this particular D-4's presentation.
ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal
The F-4 Black Metal is for players who want the most focused dark aesthetic in a new bass. It combines a black satin solid body, 35-inch neck-through-body design, 24 frets, Macassar ebony fingerboard, no front inlays, glow-in-the-dark side markers, and black hardware. The listed single-pickup format supports the stripped-down Black Metal concept, while the sculpted and contoured F Series body gives it a markedly different profile from the Phoenix-1004, TA-204 FRX, and D-4. Its limitation is that same single-pickup approach: players wanting multiple pickup voices and more elaborate visual markers may prefer another model here.
Final recommendation by use case
Choose the ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya when the USD 559.00 listed price and signature Slayer presentation fit the brief. Choose the ESP LTD PHOENIX-1004 for its 34-inch scale and active Fishman Fluence SB-1 setup. The ESP LTD D-4 Burled Poplar suits a Black Natural Burst Satin look at USD 695.00 when its cosmetic marks are acceptable. Select the ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal for a new, 35-inch, 24-fret bass with a single-pickup Black Metal design.
