Head to head
Cort Elrick NJS 5 Bass vs ESP B-204DX Black Burst
The verdict
The ESP B-204DX Black Burst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 67 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Cort Elrick NJS 5 Bass wins on
No standout advantage.
ESP B-204DX Black Burst wins on
- Better build (87 vs 65)
- Better playability (81 vs 75)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (83 vs 67)
Scorecard
| Metric | Elrick NJS 5 Bass | B-204DX Black Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 67 | 80 |
| Build | 65 | 87 |
| Playability | 75 | 81 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 67 | 83 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Elrick NJS 5 Bass | B-204DX Black Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cort | ESP |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | JP |
| Body wood | Alder | Poplar |
| Neck wood | Hard Maple 3-ply Laminated | Roasted Maple |
| Fretboard | Hard Maple 3-ply Laminated | Rosewood |
| Strings | 5 | 4 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 35" | 34" |
| Pickups | Voiced Tone VTB-ST 5-String Pickup Set | ESP SB-4N / ESP SB-4B |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | — | $549 |
| Accessories | Deluxe Soft-Side Case Included | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Bridge | MetalCraft M5 (String spacing : 18mm) | LTD DB-4 |
| Colors | White (WH) Black (BK) | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Bolt-On |
| Controls | Bartolini® Elrick NJS Special Preamp | Volume/Balance/Bass/Treble |
| Fretboard radius | 12″ (R305) | 400mm |
| Fret Type | Small (2.0×1.1), Niclel Silver | — |
| Hardware | Chrome | Black |
| Inlay | White Pearloid Block with Black Side Dots | — |
| Neck Finish | Matte | — |
| Neck profile | Elrick Custom Profile | Thin U |
| Neck Thickness | 1F : 21.8mm, 12F : 22.5mm | — |
| Nut | Bone | Molded |
| Nut width | 1 7/8″ (48mm) | 40mm |
| Scale length | 35″ (889mm) | 34" |
| Top Material | None | — |
| Truss rod | Two-way Adjustable | — |
| Tuners | Hipshot® Ultralite | LTD |
| Bridge pickup | — | ESP SB-4B |
| Case | — | B BASS FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | — | N |
| Finish | — | Black Burst |
| Neck pickup | — | ESP SB-4N |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |