Choosing among these guitars & basses means deciding whether a used Japanese-made instrument, an open-box ESP LTD, or a new ESP LTD design best matches your priorities. All four are right-handed solid-body bass guitars, but their finishes, construction details, stated conditions, and listed prices create very different buying cases. Start with whether you prefer natural or black, then consider the pull of a named vintage series, a 35-inch scale, or neck-thru-body construction.
Quick take
The Aria pair is used: the black RSB and the natural Tri Sound Vintage TSB-500. ESP's TA-204 FRX is open box and B-Stock, while the F-4 is new. The listed span is $889, so condition and construction deserve as much attention as the headline price. The strongest choice depends on whether you prioritize the lowest listed entry, a natural vintage-series bass, artist-linked styling, or the F-4's specific Black Metal configuration.
Listed-price comparison
| Bass | Listed price | Relative price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Aria Pro II RSB Black Electric Bass Guitar Bag Musical Instruments Sound Music | $410.00 | |
| ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya Black Satin Electric Bass Guitar B-Stock TA204 | $559.00 | |
| ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal Electric Bass Guitar Black Satin Brand New F4 | $1,299.00 | |
| Aria ProⅡ Tri Sound Vintage Bass TSB-500 Natural | $429.99 |
Decision matrix
- Lowest stated price: The Aria Pro II RSB is listed at $410.00, making it the price-led choice in this group.
- Natural, named-model direction: The Aria ProⅡ TSB-500 pairs a Natural finish with its TSB-500 model designation and Vintage series label.
- Artist-specific visual detail: The ESP LTD TA-204 FRX includes Slayer pentagram inlays and carries the Tom Araya name in its title.
- Minimal-marker dark styling: The ESP LTD F-4 has a Macassar ebony fingerboard with no inlays and glow-in-the-dark side markers.
Product notes
Aria Pro II RSB Black Electric Bass Guitar Bag Musical Instruments Sound Music
The Aria Pro II RSB Black Electric Bass Guitar Bag Musical Instruments Sound Music suits someone seeking a black Aria with Japanese origin and a rosewood fretboard. Its solid body and right-handed layout establish a familiar bass format, while the RSB name distinguishes it from the TSB-500. Choose the RSB for the combination of its black finish, Japanese origin, and place at the lowest listed price. The key limitation is its used condition, putting it in a different condition category from the new ESP LTD F-4.
Aria ProⅡ Tri Sound Vintage Bass TSB-500 Natural
The Aria ProⅡ Tri Sound Vintage Bass TSB-500 Natural fits a player who specifically wants a natural-finish, 4-string Aria with the TSB-500 model designation. Japanese origin, a solid body, and a right-handed layout give the bass a clearly defined format, while the Vintage series label separates it from the black RSB. Aging scratches, cracks, and dirt are the central limitation for a condition-conscious shopper. Pick the TSB-500 when its natural presentation, 4-string setup, and Japanese origin matter more than the stated cosmetic wear.
ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya Black Satin Electric Bass Guitar B-Stock TA204
The ESP LTD TA-204 FRX Tom Araya Black Satin Electric Bass Guitar B-Stock TA204 suits a player interested in the Tom Araya association and a 35-inch bolt-on bass. Listed equipment includes ESP Designed SB-4 pickups, a roasted jatoba fingerboard, and 24 extra-jumbo frets, giving the TA-204 FRX several concrete specification points. Black Satin keeps its finish aligned with the darker choices here. Its B-Stock status is the tradeoff, with possible cosmetic blemishes described. Select it when the artist-linked model and long-scale bolt-on layout matter more than choosing a new-condition instrument.
ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal Electric Bass Guitar Black Satin Brand New F4
The ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal Electric Bass Guitar Black Satin Brand New F4 is the route for a new Black Satin F Series bass with neck-thru-body construction and a 35-inch scale. Its Macassar ebony fingerboard has no inlays, while glow-in-the-dark side markers and 24 frets reinforce the specific Black Metal presentation. The F-4 carries the highest listed price in the comparison. A hard case is mentioned separately at $235 extra, creating another cost consideration for shoppers who want that accessory. Choose this model for its neck-thru build and distinctive no-inlay Black Metal format.
Final recommendations by use case
Choose the Aria Pro II RSB for the lowest-listed-price use case. Choose the Aria ProⅡ TSB-500 when a vintage-series Aria is the central appeal. The ESP LTD TA-204 FRX is the focused pick for a Tom Araya-associated ESP LTD, while the ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal is the choice for a new ESP LTD configuration with neck-thru-body construction. That division keeps the decision centered on each bass's clearest stated identity rather than treating all four as interchangeable.
