Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $799

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "ESP Frank Bello". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

When precision meets power, the ESP Frank Bello signature bass guitar takes center stage. Engineered for the dynamic bassist, this instrument captures the essence of Anthrax's Frank Bello with its offset-waist J-style body and P-style neck, delivering a robust and versatile sound. The mahogany body and maple neck, both exhibiting a satin finish, provide a sleek, comfortable playing experience that feels as good as it sounds.

Equipped with EMG P-HZ and LJ-HZ passive pickups, the FBJ-400 offers a rich, growling tone that can be finely tuned with its master volume, pickup balance, and tone controls. The Macassar ebony fingerboard, featuring 21 extra-jumbo frets and a 12-inch radius, allows for effortless playability, ensuring your fingers glide smoothly across every note.

The LTD DB4 bridge and vintage tuners maximize sustain and tuning stability, while the dual-action truss rod provides precise adjustments, ensuring your setup is always on point. From the studio to the stage, the ESP Frank Bello is more than just an instrument—it's a statement.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body with offset waist and satin finish
  • Maple neck with satin finish and dual-action truss rod
  • Macassar ebony fingerboard, 12-inch radius, 34-inch scale length, 21 extra-jumbo frets
  • EMG P-HZ and LJ-HZ passive pickups
  • Master volume, pickup balance, and master tone controls
  • LTD DB4 bridge, 42mm molded nut, LTD vintage tuners
  • Glow-in-the-dark side markers for enhanced visibility on stage

Product specs

Brand ESP
Model Frank Bello
Finish Black
Year 2012 - 2016
Made In Japan
Categories 4-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp No Preamp
Body Material Alder
Body Shape P-Style
Color Family Black
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 21
Number of Strings 4-String
Pickup Configuration Split-Coil / S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups does the ESP Frank Bello bass guitar have?

The ESP Frank Bello bass guitar is equipped with passive split-coil pickups, which deliver a punchy and versatile sound suitable for various music genres.

Is the ESP Frank Bello bass guitar suitable for beginners?

The ESP Frank Bello bass guitar is designed with a P-style body and a comfortable neck, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced players seeking a high-quality instrument.

What materials are used in the construction of the ESP Frank Bello bass guitar?

The ESP Frank Bello features an alder body, a maple neck, and an ebony fretboard, providing a balanced tone with a smooth playing experience.

How many frets does the ESP Frank Bello bass guitar have?

The ESP Frank Bello bass guitar has 21 frets, offering a standard range suitable for most playing styles.

Does the ESP Frank Bello bass guitar have an active preamp?

No, the ESP Frank Bello bass guitar does not have an active preamp; it uses passive electronics for a straightforward and classic bass tone.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

ESP LTD FB-4 Frank Bello Bass Demo - Sweetwater Sound

Video thumbnail for ESP LTD FB-4 Frank Bello Bass Demo - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

ESP LTD FB-4 Frank Bello Bass Demo - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for ESP Guitars: Signature Series Spotlight - Frank Bello (Anthrax) by ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars: Signature Series Spotlight - Frank Bello (Anthrax)

ESP Guitars USA

ESP Guitars USA

Video thumbnail for Players Planet Product Overview - ESP/LTD Frank Bello FB-4, Electric Bass Guitar by PlayersPlanetOz

Players Planet Product Overview - ESP/LTD Frank Bello FB-4, Electric Bass Guitar

PlayersPlanetOz

PlayersPlanetOz

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP Frank Bello.

Features and functionality

  • The Frank Bello signature series has a PJ pickup setup and is praised for its fantastic playability and sound.

    Source
  • The LTD F4E is highlighted for its light weight and ease of play, both sitting and standing, despite its restrained tone for metal.

    Source
  • The ESP LTD fbj-400 features a Macassar Ebony fingerboard and a mahogany body, enhancing its aesthetics and tonal quality.

    Source

User experience

  • Many metal bassists favor the aggressive body style and natural wood finish of ESP/LTD basses for both aesthetic and performance reasons.

    Source
  • While some stock pickups on ESP/LTD models could be hotter for metal, users consistently receive compliments on the tone.

    Source

Build quality

  • The LTD Phoenix 1004, purchased new for 1000€, is noted for its flawless construction with no gaps.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend upgrading the stock passive EMG PJ pickups to Frank Bello's signature active EMG pickups for improved sound quality.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some users suggest a proper setup and fresh strings are necessary for optimal performance of the LTD fbj-400.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Fender Player Jaguar is mentioned as an alternative, with a focus on its versatility and passive pickups for those preferring a diverse playing style.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Frank Bello uses ESP Frank Bello

Frank Bello

Bassist

Anthrax

...
Verified via YouTube

Frank Bello discusses the origin of his signature series bass from ESP in this video.

See how Zoltán Farkas uses ESP Frank Bello

Zoltán Farkas

Guitarist, Singer

Ektomorf

...

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use ESP Frank Bello, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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