Head to head
ESP AP-4 Black Metal BLACK SATIN vs ESP B-204SM NATURAL SATIN
The verdict
The ESP B-204SM NATURAL SATIN comes out ahead overall — 80 to 75 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP AP-4 Black Metal BLACK SATIN wins on
No standout advantage.
ESP B-204SM NATURAL SATIN wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (83 vs 72)
- Lower price ($649 vs $999)
Scorecard
| Metric | AP-4 Black Metal BLACK SATIN | B-204SM NATURAL SATIN |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 80 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 78 | 81 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 72 | 83 |
Full specifications
| Spec | AP-4 Black Metal BLACK SATIN | B-204SM NATURAL SATIN |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Alder | Ash |
| Neck wood | Maple | 5Pc Maple/Jatoba |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Roasted Jatoba |
| Strings | 4 | 4 |
| Frets | 21 | 24 |
| Scale | 34" | 34" |
| Pickups | EMG 35CS | ESP SB-4N / ESP SB-4B |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $999 | $649 |
| Bridge | Babicz FCH-4 | LTD BB-604 w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 35CS | ESP SB-4B |
| Case | AP BASS FORM FIT CASE | B BASS FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | N | N |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Bolt-On |
| Controls | Active | Passive |
| Finish | BLACK SATIN | NATURAL SATIN |
| Fretboard radius | 400mm | 400mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black Nickel |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Molded | Molded |
| Nut width | 38mm | 40mm |
| Scale length | 34" | 34" |
| Strap Button | Standard | Standard |
| Tuners | Grover | LTD |
| Neck pickup | — | ESP SB-4N |
| Top wood | — | Spalted Maple |