ESP LTD B204DX Black Burst 2026

This second hand bass is in great condition.

Note: High Gloss finish - photos may show reflections from the surrounding environment.

The ESP LTD B-204DX is a modern four-string bass that manages to combine an attractive, contemporary design with a surprisingly versatile specification. Part of LTD's B Series, it is aimed at players who want a bass capable of covering everything from rock and metal to funk, pop and modern alternative styles.

With its 34-inch scale, roasted maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, dual ESP SB-4 pickups and active electronics, the B-204DX offers plenty of tonal flexibility without becoming unnecessarily complicated. 

Modern Looks

The B-204DX has a sleek, contemporary appearance that immediately identifies it as an LTD. The poplar body is topped with a figured burled poplar veneer, giving the instrument plenty of visual interest, while the black hardware adds to its modern appearance.

It looks like a bass designed for the stage, with a streamlined shape that should appeal particularly to players who prefer something a little more aggressive than a traditional Precision or Jazz Bass.

Comfortable Neck

One of the strongest features of the B-204DX is its neck. The roasted maple construction gives it a smooth feel, while the Thin U profile makes it comfortable for players who like a relatively slim, fast-playing neck.

The 34-inch scale is the standard long-scale bass length, providing plenty of definition and tension while retaining a familiar feel. The rosewood fingerboard has a 400mm radius and 24 extra-jumbo frets, giving players plenty of room for higher-register work. 

The combination makes the B-204DX particularly well suited to players who like moving around the neck rather than simply sticking to the lower positions.

ESP SB-4 Pickups

The B-204DX is fitted with a pair of ESP SB-4 humbucking pickups, with one positioned at the bridge and one at the neck. This gives the bass a broad tonal palette, ranging from warm and rounded to tight, aggressive and articulate. 

The neck pickup provides plenty of low-end weight and works particularly well for fingerstyle playing, while the bridge pickup adds definition and attack. Blend the two together and you get a balanced sound that works well in a band mix.

For rock and heavier music, the ability to retain clarity while producing plenty of low-end power is particularly useful.

Active Electronics

The B-204DX's active electronics are where much of its versatility comes from. The straightforward control layout consists of volume, pickup balance, bass and treble, allowing the player to quickly shape the sound without becoming lost in complicated controls.

Boosting the bass produces a deeper, more powerful sound, while increasing the treble adds attack and definition. This makes it easy to adjust the instrument to different amplifiers, rooms and musical situations.

The active setup is particularly useful for modern styles where a clean, powerful and highly controlled bass sound is required.

Playing Experience

The B-204DX feels like a bass designed for modern players. The thin neck, 24-fret fingerboard and 34-inch scale encourage fast playing, while the fixed LTD DB-4 bridge provides a solid platform for the strings. 

The 40mm nut width also gives it a relatively comfortable feel without making the neck excessively narrow. For players moving from a guitar to bass, the neck should feel approachable, while experienced bassists will appreciate the extra access provided by the 24-fret design.

Sound and Versatility

Tonally, the B-204DX is at its best when you need a bass that can cut through a busy mix.

The combination of dual humbuckers and active EQ produces a strong, focused sound with plenty of low-end authority. It can deliver warm fingerstyle tones, punchy rock sounds and aggressive modern tones, while the treble control can add plenty of snap for slap playing.

It is particularly well suited to rock, metal and modern alternative music, but there is enough tonal flexibility here for funk, pop and general-purpose gigging too.

The ESP LTD B-204DX is an impressive modern bass that offers a lot of specification for its price. The roasted maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24 extra-jumbo frets, dual ESP SB-4 pickups and active bass and treble controls give it a professional feel and a very broad tonal range.

Its modern styling won't appeal to everyone, particularly players looking for traditional Fender-style aesthetics, but for those who want a contemporary bass with plenty of power and flexibility, it is a very strong option.

A fast-playing, versatile and great-looking bass, the LTD B-204DX is an excellent choice for players who want modern active tones and serious performance without moving into high-end price territory.