Quick take
Choosing among these guitars basses comes down to more than the black finish shared by most of the group. The key divide is whether you want the lowest listed price, a new-condition F-4 Black Metal, a neck-thru D-4 with a burled poplar look, or the used Japan-made GrassRoots G-J-53. Listed prices span $740, while construction details and condition vary substantially.
The ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya is the starting point for a 35-inch-scale, bolt-on bass at the lowest listed price. The ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal is the choice for its new condition, 35-inch neck-thru-body construction, and all-black Black Metal presentation. The ESP LTD D-4 also brings neck-thru-body construction, but pairs it with Black Natural Burst Satin and open-box condition. The GrassRoots G-J-53 stands apart as a used, Japan-made bass with alder and rosewood listed in its specifications.
Listed price comparison
| Bass guitar | Condition | Listed price | Price position |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya Black Satin Electric Bass Guitar B-Stock TA204 | Open box | $559.00 | |
| GrassRoots G-J-53 Black ESP Metal Gothic 1995 Luna Sea Vintage Bass Guitar Japan | Used | $666.00 | |
| ESP LTD D-4 Burled Poplar Black Natural Burst Satin D4 Bass Guitar B-Stock | Open box | $695.00 | |
| ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal Electric Bass Guitar Black Satin Brand New F4 | New | $1,299.00 |
Decision matrix
- Choose the TA-204 FRX for the lowest listed-price entry. Its $559 listed price, 35-inch scale, bolt-on design, 24 extra-jumbo frets, and Slayer pentagram inlays make it the most direct fit for a Tom Araya signature-style visual and specification set.
- Choose the F-4 Black Metal for new condition and an all-black build theme. The description specifies 35-inch neck-thru-body construction, a Macassar ebony fingerboard without inlays, glow-in-the-dark side markers, and a single pickup.
- Choose the D-4 for Black Natural Burst Satin and neck-thru-body construction. It combines a poplar body listing with a burled poplar top description, making its finish direction distinct from the black satin alternatives.
- Choose the GrassRoots G-J-53 for a used Japan-made option. Alder body material and a rosewood fretboard are listed alongside its black solid-body format.
- If neck-thru-body construction is the priority, focus on the F-4 or D-4. Both descriptions identify that construction, so the deciding factors become new versus open-box condition, black satin versus Black Natural Burst Satin, and listed price.
Product notes
GrassRoots G-J-53 Black ESP Metal Gothic 1995 Luna Sea Vintage Bass Guitar Japan
The GrassRoots G-J-53 is the appropriate pick for someone drawn to a used bass with Japan listed as its country of origin. Its specification set includes a black solid alder body, rosewood fretboard, and right-handed orientation, while the title gives it a distinct Metal Gothic and Luna Sea vintage identity. Choose it when those materials and the used Japan-made angle matter more than a uniform current-series presentation. The tradeoff is its used condition, which separates it from the new F-4 and the open-box LTD choices. It also does not share the listed 35-inch scale detail that appears in the TA-204 FRX and F-4 descriptions.
ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal Electric Bass Guitar Black Satin Brand New F4
The F-4 Black Metal suits a player prioritizing a new-condition bass with purpose-built Black Metal styling. The description calls out a black finish, components, and hardware, plus a Macassar ebony fingerboard with no inlays and glow-in-the-dark side markers. Its 35-inch scale and neck-thru-body construction are concrete reasons to favor it over the bolt-on TA-204 FRX. Twenty-four frets are listed as well. The limitation is straightforward: at $1,299, it carries the highest listed price in this comparison. Its single-pickup configuration is also a more focused arrangement than the pickup sets described for the TA-204 FRX and D-4.
ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya Black Satin Electric Bass Guitar B-Stock TA204
The TA-204 FRX is the clear choice when the lowest listed price and Tom Araya signature styling are the primary goals. Beyond the black solid body, its description specifies a 35-inch bolt-on design, basswood body, maple neck, roasted jatoba fingerboard, 24 extra-jumbo frets, and Slayer pentagram inlays. ESP Designed SB-4 pickups provide another named component in the description. It is right-handed and listed as open box. That condition is the central limitation: the B-Stock description says it may have a cosmetic blemish, so its condition category differs from the new F-4. For players who want neck-thru-body construction, the F-4 and D-4 are the better-matched pair.
ESP LTD D-4 Burled Poplar Black Natural Burst Satin D4 Bass Guitar B-Stock
The D-4 is the finish-forward alternative for someone who prefers Black Natural Burst Satin over plain black or black satin. Poplar is listed as the body material, and the description identifies a burled poplar top as well as neck-thru-body construction. That gives the D-4 a useful middle position: it has the neck-thru design also found on the F-4, but at a lower listed price and with a more visibly named burst finish. Its open-box condition is the limitation. The description mentions a rub or mark in one area and signs of play in two areas, making it best suited to a shopper comfortable with its B-Stock designation.
Final recommendation by use case
- Lowest listed-price choice: Pick the ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya at $559 for 35-inch bolt-on construction, 24 extra-jumbo frets, and signature pentagram inlays, with open-box B-Stock condition.
- New-condition Black Metal choice: Pick the ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal at $1,299 for its 35-inch neck-thru-body build, ebony fingerboard details, and all-black design theme.
- Neck-thru burst-finish choice: Pick the ESP LTD D-4 at $695 for Black Natural Burst Satin, burled poplar detailing, and neck-thru-body construction, while accounting for open-box condition.
- Used Japan-made choice: Pick the GrassRoots G-J-53 at $666 for its black alder body, rosewood fretboard, and Japan country-of-origin listing.
