Head to head
ESP B-204DX Black Burst vs PRS SE Kestrel
The verdict
The ESP B-204DX Black Burst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 64 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP B-204DX Black Burst wins on
- Better build (87 vs 61)
- Better playability (81 vs 64)
- Better value (83 vs 64)
PRS SE Kestrel wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | B-204DX Black Burst | SE Kestrel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 64 |
| Build | 87 | 61 |
| Playability | 81 | 64 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 83 | 64 |
Full specifications
| Spec | B-204DX Black Burst | SE Kestrel |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | PRS |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Poplar | Alder |
| Neck wood | Roasted Maple | 5-Ply Maple with Walnut Strips, Neck-Through Construction |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 4 | 4 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 34" | 34" |
| Pickups | ESP SB-4N / ESP SB-4B | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $549 | — |
| Bridge | LTD DB-4 | Hipshot TransTone |
| Bridge pickup | ESP SB-4B | PRS-Designed 4B Single Coil |
| Case | B BASS FORM FIT CASE | Gig Bag |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Neck Through |
| Controls | Volume/Balance/Bass/Treble | Two Volume Controls and One Tone Control, Pickguard Mounted |
| Finish | Black Burst | — |
| Fretboard radius | 400mm | 10" |
| Hardware | Black | Chrome |
| Neck pickup | ESP SB-4N | PRS-Designed 4B Single Coil |
| Neck profile | Thin U | SE Bass 4 |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 40mm | 1 19/32" |
| Scale length | 34" | 34" |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | Hipshot HB6 |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Birds |
| Headstock Logo | — | Signature "SE" |
| Neck Depth At The 12 1 2 Fret | — | 61/64" |
| Neck Depth At The 1 2 Fret | — | 51/64" |
| Neck Width At The Body | — | 2 31/64" |
| Truss rod | — | PRS Double-Acting |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | "Kestrel" |
| Tuning | — | Bass (4 String): E, A, D, G |