Picking among bass guitars gets harder when the instruments point in very different directions. Here, the central choice is not simply finish or brand: it is whether you want the Rickenbacker 4003's stereo-output format, the Tom Araya-associated ESP LTD TA-204 FRX, the used GrassRoots G-J-53, or the neck-through ESP LTD D-4.
Quick take
Start with the feature that matters most to your playing setup and visual preference. The Rickenbacker 4003 Stereo Bass Guitar - Mapleglo is the distinct choice for stereo output and all-maple construction. The ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya Black Satin Electric Bass Guitar B-Stock TA204 centers on a 35-inch scale, 24 extra-jumbo frets, and Slayer pentagram inlays. Choose the GrassRoots G-J-53 Black ESP Metal Gothic 1995 Luna Sea Vintage Bass Guitar Japan for its black alder body, rosewood fretboard, and Japan origin. The ESP LTD D-4 Burled Poplar Black Natural Burst Satin D4 Bass Guitar B-Stock brings a burled poplar look and neck-through-body design.
Listed-price comparison
| Bass guitar | Listed price | Price position | Condition | Decision cue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rickenbacker 4003 Stereo Bass Guitar - Mapleglo | USD 2,339.10 | Very Good - Refurbished | Stereo output and all-maple construction | |
| GrassRoots G-J-53 Black ESP Metal Gothic 1995 Luna Sea Vintage Bass Guitar Japan | USD 666.00 | Used | Alder body, rosewood fretboard, Japan origin | |
| ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya Black Satin Electric Bass Guitar B-Stock TA204 | USD 559.00 | Open box | 35-inch scale and 24 extra-jumbo frets | |
| ESP LTD D-4 Burled Poplar Black Natural Burst Satin D4 Bass Guitar B-Stock | USD 695.00 | Open box | Burled poplar look and neck-through-body design |
The listed prices span from USD 559.00 to USD 2,339.10, so deciding on construction, output format, and condition before comparing cost will keep the choice focused.
Decision matrix
- Choose stereo routing and the Mapleglo designation: the Rickenbacker 4003 is the only selection explicitly described with stereo output.
- Choose a signature-series bass with a longer 35-inch scale: the ESP LTD TA-204 FRX combines that scale length with 24 extra-jumbo frets and Slayer pentagram inlays.
- Choose a used, right-handed bass with alder and rosewood listed: the GrassRoots G-J-53 has a black solid alder body, rosewood fretboard, and Japan origin.
- Choose neck-through construction and a Black Natural Burst Satin appearance: the ESP LTD D-4 pairs its burled poplar description with a solid poplar body attribute.
Product notes
Rickenbacker 4003 Stereo Bass Guitar - Mapleglo
For a player specifically seeking a Rickenbacker 4003 with stereo output, this Mapleglo model makes the clearest case. Its description pairs stereo output with all-maple construction and emphasizes sustain and treble punch, giving it a notably different configuration from the three ESP-related choices. At USD 2,339.10, it carries the highest listed price in this comparison. The main limitation is the Very Good - Refurbished condition. Choose it when the 4003 stereo format and Mapleglo designation are central to the decision, rather than when matching the open-box condition of the ESP LTD options is the priority.
GrassRoots G-J-53 Black ESP Metal Gothic 1995 Luna Sea Vintage Bass Guitar Japan
The GrassRoots G-J-53 is aimed at someone drawn to its black, metal-gothic presentation and its specific construction details. It is listed as a right-handed solid-body bass with an alder body, rosewood fretboard, and Japan origin. At USD 666.00, its listed price sits between the TA-204 FRX and the D-4. Its limitation is straightforward: the condition is Used. This is the focused choice for shoppers who prefer the combination of black alder body, rosewood fretboard, and the 1995 Luna Sea Vintage wording in the title over the feature sets of the open-box LTD models.
ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya Black Satin Electric Bass Guitar B-Stock TA204
The ESP LTD TA-204 FRX is the selection for a Tom Araya-associated bass with a clearly specified long-scale layout. The description calls out a 35-inch scale, 24 extra-jumbo frets, a basswood body, maple neck, roasted jatoba fingerboard, and Slayer pentagram inlays. Its USD 559.00 listed price is the lowest of the four. The limitation is its Open box condition, even though the title's Black Satin treatment and signature-series direction will be the main draw for many shoppers. Select this one when its scale length, fret count, and metal-focused styling outweigh interest in stereo output or neck-through construction.
ESP LTD D-4 Burled Poplar Black Natural Burst Satin D4 Bass Guitar B-Stock
The ESP LTD D-4 offers the most direct path to a neck-through-body design among these four bass guitars. Its listed details pair a solid poplar body with the Black Natural Burst Satin color, while the description highlights a burled poplar top and ESP Designed passive pickups. At USD 695.00, it is listed above the GrassRoots G-J-53 and TA-204 FRX, while remaining well below the Rickenbacker. The tradeoff is its Open box condition. Choose the D-4 when the burled poplar appearance and neck-through construction matter more than the TA-204 FRX's 35-inch scale or the Rickenbacker's stereo output.
Final recommendation by use case
Pick the Rickenbacker 4003 for stereo output and all-maple construction. Pick the ESP LTD TA-204 FRX for the 35-inch scale, 24 extra-jumbo frets, and Tom Araya/Slayer visual direction. Pick the GrassRoots G-J-53 for a used right-handed bass with alder, rosewood, and Japan origin listed. Pick the ESP LTD D-4 for neck-through-body construction with a burled poplar Black Natural Burst Satin look.
