Head to head
ESP MLB-4 BLACK BLAST vs Rickenbacker 4003
The verdict
The ESP MLB-4 BLACK BLAST comes out ahead overall — 77 to 71 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP MLB-4 BLACK BLAST wins on
- Better playability (81 vs 64)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
Rickenbacker 4003 wins on
- Lower price ($1,900 vs $2,099)
Scorecard
| Metric | MLB-4 BLACK BLAST | 4003 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 77 | 71 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 64 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 67 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | MLB-4 BLACK BLAST | 4003 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Rickenbacker |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | 1979 |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Swamp Ash | Maple |
| Neck wood | 5Pc Wenge / Purpleheart (Black Satin / Open Pore) | Maple (neck-through) |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 4 | 4 |
| Frets | 24 | 20 |
| Scale | 35" | 33.25" |
| Pickups | Nordstrand Big Splits / Nordstrand Big Splits | HH single-coil |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $2,099 | $1,900 – $2,400 |
| Bridge | Gotoh 404BO-4 | Fixed |
| Bridge pickup | Nordstrand Big Splits | — |
| Case | B BASS FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Black Blast | — |
| Fretboard radius | 400mm | — |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | Nordstrand Big Splits | — |
| Neck profile | Extra Thin U | — |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | — |
| Scale length | 35" | — |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | Gotoh | — |
| Body shape | — | Cresting wave |
| Weight | — | 4.5 kg |