Quick verdict
Choosing between these ESP LTD basses comes down to a clear split: the F-4 Black Metal is a new, purposefully dark-styled instrument with 35-inch neck-through-body construction, while the B206 Spalted Maple 6-String takes the lower end of the price range and explicitly names a six-string configuration. The listed prices are $774 apart, so the decision is as much about format and design direction as it is about spend.
Both are right-handed solid-body basses with 24 frets. Pick the F-4 Black Metal when its single-pickup, 35-inch build and Black Metal identity fit the kind of bass you want. Pick the B206 when the six-string format is central to your playing requirements.
At-a-glance comparison
| Detail | ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal | ESP LTD B206 Spalted Maple 6-String |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 1,299.00 | USD 525.00 |
| Condition | New | Used |
| Body presentation | Black Satin solid body | Natural solid ash body |
| Construction details | 35-inch scale, neck-through-body, single pickup | Maple neck |
| Frets and handedness | 24 frets, right-handed | 24 frets, right-handed |
Where each bass wins
The ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal is the more targeted choice for a player drawn to extended 35-inch scale length, neck-through-body construction, and a single-pickup layout. Its Black Satin finish, black components and hardware, no-inlay Macassar ebony fingerboard, and glow-in-the-dark side markers give it a deliberately unified visual direction.
The ESP LTD B206 Spalted Maple 6-String stands out for making the six-string format explicit in its name while pairing a Natural Satin look with an ash body and maple neck. It is the simpler choice when moving into a six-string bass format is the priority rather than pursuing the F-4's Black Metal theme.
ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal Electric Bass Guitar Black Satin Brand New F4
The F-4 Black Metal is the choice for shoppers who want a bass with a highly specific all-black presentation rather than a natural-finish look. New condition is another concrete reason to select this model. Its black hardware, dark fingerboard treatment, and Black Metal branding reinforce one consistent direction, while the description positions its longer scale around heavy downtuning use. The limitation is the USD 1,299.00 price, which places this model at the top of this two-bass comparison. Choose it when the distinctive Black Metal concept is part of the appeal and that price fits your instrument budget.
ESP LTD B206 Spalted Maple 6-String Bass - Natural Satin
The B206 is the direct fit for a player who specifically wants the six-string configuration identified in its title. At USD 525.00, it occupies the lower end of the comparison's price range, leaving a substantial gap from the F-4 Black Metal. The Natural Satin appearance offers a contrasting visual direction to the F-4's Black Satin styling, and the model is described with an ash body and maple neck. Its key tradeoff is condition: this is a used bass rather than a new one. Select the B206 when the named six-string format is the deciding factor and a used instrument suits your plan.
Final choice by use case
Choose the ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal for a focused Black Metal design language and the longer-scale, neck-through-body approach. Choose the ESP LTD B206 Spalted Maple 6-String when a six-string bass is the non-negotiable part of the decision. For shoppers primarily separating the two by price, the B206 is the lower-priced route; for shoppers prioritizing the F-4's distinct concept, the higher-priced model is the more aligned pick.
