Who is the LTD F-4 Black Metal bass designed for?

The LTD F-4 Black Metal bass is built for players who demand aggressive tone, sleek aesthetics, and high-performance playability. Its "Extra Thin U" neck profile and 24 stainless steel extra-jumbo frets are perfect for fast runs and intricate bass lines. With its powerful Fishman Fluence SB-1 pickup, this bass excels in genres like metal, hard rock, and other styles requiring a clear, punchy, and versatile low-end foundation.

What kind of tones can I get from the Fishman Fluence SB-1 pickup?

The LTD F-4 Black Metal features a single Fishman Fluence SB-1 active humbucker, delivering a wide range of modern bass tones. You can expect powerful, articulate lows and clear highs, perfect for cutting through a dense mix. The push/pull volume knob activates a coil-split, allowing you to switch between a full, thick humbucker sound and a brighter, more focused single-coil tone for added versatility.

What are the advantages of the 35-inch scale length and neck-through design?

The 35-inch scale length of the LTD F-4 Black Metal provides enhanced string tension, resulting in a tighter, more articulate low-end response and improved clarity, especially on the lower strings. Combined with its neck-through construction, this bass offers exceptional sustain and resonance. The neck-through design also contributes to superior stability and, combined with the dual cutaways, offers comfortable access to the upper frets, making it a joy to play.

What makes the playability of the LTD F-4 Black Metal so fast and comfortable?

The LTD F-4 Black Metal is designed for speed and comfort. Its "Extra Thin U" neck profile and satin finish allow for quick hand movement and a slick playing surface. The 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets offer excellent durability and make bending and fretting notes effortless, contributing to a fast and enjoyable playing experience across the entire 35-inch scale.

Does the LTD F-4 Black Metal come with a case or gig bag?

No, the LTD F-4 Black Metal bass does not include a case or gig bag. These are sold separately, allowing you to choose the perfect protection for your specific needs. Sweetwater offers a wide selection of cases and gig bags, and your dedicated Sales Engineer can help you find the ideal fit to keep your bass safe.

ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal

4-string Electric Bass with Mahogany Body, Maple Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and 1 Active Humbucking Pickup - Black Metal

Item ID: F4BMBk

Sorry, the ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only.
Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

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Pure Black Metal Power

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The ESP LTD F-4 Black Metal is a stripped-down high-powered bass guitar sculpted to brutal perfection. Metal bassists have long turned to ESP’s F-series for high-value creations that won’t break the bank but might rattle some bones. The F-4 Black Metal pairs premium tonewoods like mahogany and maple with serious hardware and a blacked-out design. A neck-through build and a high mass bridge work together to ensure high-magnitude bass power and sustain, even when dropping down several steps for low tunings. The F-4 Black Metal also features a slightly extended 35-inch fingerboard with 24 frets for an exceptional range of two octaves per string and dual cutaways for plenty of access to the upper frets. And when it comes to tone, this bass delivers only the best with the sinister firepower of one active Fishman Fluence SB-1 humbucker. Trust us, one is all you’ll need.

Merciless fretboard access

Powerful tone means nothing if you can’t reach the notes in time. That’s why the F-4 Black Metal features a naturally light maple neck with an extra-thin “U” profile and a satin finish. This ultra-slim neck makes fretboard navigation a matter of execution. Whether you’re dutifully holding down the low end or breaking toward the top for your solo in the spotlight, this neck gets you where you need to be.

Active Fishman power

The F-4 Black Metal’s single Fishman Fluence humbucker delivers plenty of full-frequency power with well-rounded dynamic response. Hot ceramic magnets ensure plenty of grinding output with uncorrupted tone and plenty of attack. This Black Metal edition does away with excess controls and features just a single volume knob. This frees you up to shape tone using outboard gear and roam the stage with ease without fear of bumping knobs out of place. For added flexibility, the volume knob has a push-pull feature for accessing single-coil style tones when desired.

Molded for metal

The F-4 Black Metal doesn’t just look metal, it’s engineered for it from head to toe. Metal-ready features include a neck-through design, closed back Grover tuners, and a high-mass bridge for spellbinding tone with bone-crushing low end. Sweetwater bassists find such beefy qualities perfect for descents to ultra-low tunings without floppy strings or lackluster sustain. Also onboard are closed-back tuners for rock-solid performance and a contoured neck heel for limitless access to upper frets.