Head to head
ESP PHOENIX-204DX Black Burst vs Harley Benton HBZ-2005
The verdict
The ESP PHOENIX-204DX Black Burst comes out ahead overall — 79 to 61 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP PHOENIX-204DX Black Burst wins on
- Better build (87 vs 58)
- Better playability (78 vs 64)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (82 vs 65)
Harley Benton HBZ-2005 wins on
- Lower price ($370 vs $549)
Scorecard
| Metric | PHOENIX-204DX Black Burst | HBZ-2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 79 | 61 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 78 | 64 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 82 | 65 |
Full specifications
| Spec | PHOENIX-204DX Black Burst | HBZ-2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Poplar | — |
| Neck wood | Roasted Maple | Mahognay/Maple/Nato |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Jatoba |
| Strings | 4 | 4 |
| Frets | 21 | — |
| Scale | 34" | 34.02" |
| Pickups | ESP SB-4N / ESP SB-4B | 2 ceramic bar single coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $549 | $370 |
| Bridge | LTD DB-4 | — |
| Bridge pickup | ESP SB-4B | — |
| Case | PHOENIX BASS FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Volume/Balance/Tone Boost | — |
| Finish | Black Burst | Natural matt |
| Fretboard radius | 400mm | — |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP SB-4N | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 40mm | 45 mm |
| Scale length | 34" | 864 mm (Long scale) |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD Vintage | — |
| 7 Piece Neck Thru Body | — | Mahognay/Maple/Nato |
| Sides | — | Ovangkol |
| String gauges | — | .045 - .125 |
| Suitable Case | — | Art.#212517# (not included) |