Head to head
ESP JC-4 DARK GREY METALLIC SATIN vs ESP MLB-4 BLACK BLAST
The verdict
The ESP JC-4 DARK GREY METALLIC SATIN and ESP MLB-4 BLACK BLAST are closely matched overall — 76 to 77 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP JC-4 DARK GREY METALLIC SATIN wins on
No standout advantage.
ESP MLB-4 BLACK BLAST wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | JC-4 DARK GREY METALLIC SATIN | MLB-4 BLACK BLAST |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 76 | 77 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 78 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 66 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | JC-4 DARK GREY METALLIC SATIN | MLB-4 BLACK BLAST |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Swamp Ash | Swamp Ash |
| Neck wood | 5Pc Maple/Purple Heart | 5Pc Wenge / Purpleheart (Black Satin / Open Pore) |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Macassar Ebony |
| Strings | 4 | 4 |
| Frets | 21 | 24 |
| Scale | 34" | 35" |
| Pickups | Fishman Fluence SB-1 *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) / Fishman Fluence SB-1 *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Nordstrand Big Splits / Nordstrand Big Splits |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $2,099 | $2,099 |
| Bridge | Hipshot A Style "Slotted Saddles" | Gotoh 404BO-4 |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence SB-1 *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Nordstrand Big Splits |
| Case | STREAM BASS FORM FIT CASE | B BASS FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | Y | Y |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Bolt-On |
| Controls | Active | Active |
| Finish | Dark Grey Metallic Satin | Black Blast |
| Fretboard radius | 400mm | 400mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black |
| Neck pickup | Fishman Fluence SB-1 *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Nordstrand Big Splits |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Extra Thin U |
| Nut | Molded | Molded |
| Nut width | 38mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 34" | 35" |
| Strap Button | Standard | Standard |
| Tuners | Hipshot Ultralite | Gotoh |