Head to head
ESP ORION-4 BLACK BLAST vs Schecter C-5 Apocalypse
The verdict
The ESP ORION-4 BLACK BLAST comes out ahead overall — 78 to 72 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP ORION-4 BLACK BLAST wins on
- Better build (87 vs 65)
- Better value (75 vs 70)
Schecter C-5 Apocalypse wins on
- Better sound (74 vs 68)
- Lower price ($1,219 vs $1,899)
Scorecard
| Metric | ORION-4 BLACK BLAST | C-5 Apocalypse |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 78 | 72 |
| Build | 87 | 65 |
| Playability | 78 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 74 |
| Value | 75 | 70 |
Full specifications
| Spec | ORION-4 BLACK BLAST | C-5 Apocalypse |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Schecter |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Swamp Ash | Swamp Ash |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 4 | 5 |
| Frets | 21 | 24 |
| Scale | 34" | 35" |
| Pickups | Nordstrand Big Split *(Pull for Passive Mode) / Nordstrand Big Split *(Pull for Passive Mode) | Schecter USA Apocalypse™ J-Bucker / Schecter USA Apocalypse™ J-Bucker |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,899 | $1,219 |
| Bridge | Hipshot A Style | Schecter Custom Hardtail w/ String Thru Body |
| Bridge pickup | Nordstrand Big Split *(Pull for Passive Mode) | Schecter USA Apocalypse™ J-Bucker |
| Case | GB BASS FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Set-Neck w/Ultra Access |
| Controls | Active | Volume/Blend/Tone/3-Way Toggle Series-Split-Parallel Pickup Switches |
| Finish | Black Blast | — |
| Fretboard radius | 400mm | 16" (406mm) |
| Neck pickup | Nordstrand Big Split *(Pull for Passive Mode) | Schecter USA Apocalypse™ J-Bucker |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin "C" |
| Nut | Molded | Graph Tech XL Black Tusq |
| Nut width | 38mm | 1.771" (45mm) |
| Scale length | 34" | 35" (889mm) |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD Vintage | Grover |
| Binding | — | Black 1-ply |
| Dexterity | — | Right Handed |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Mother of Pearl Triangle at 12th & 24th Fret |
| Guitar Colors | — | Rusty Grey (RG) |
| Hardware | — | Satin Black |
| Knobs | — | Hipshot O-Ring |
| Side Dot Markers | — | Glow In The Dark |
| Thickness | — | @ 1st Fret- .787" (20mm)/ @ 12th Fret- .866" (22mm) |
| Top Contour | — | Arched Top |
| Truss rod | — | 2-Way Adjustable Rod w/ 5/32" (4mm) Allen Nut |