ESP Unveils New Frank Bello Signature Model Basses
Anthrax’s Frank Bello teamed up with ESP again this year to create a new signature bass, resulting in the custom shop Frank Bello J-4 and the LTD Series FB-J4. Each bass is a take on a classic P/J design in a sleek black color scheme with red accents.
The custom shop version is crafted one at a time in Japan. They’re built with an alder body and one-piece maple neck topped with an ebony fingerboard. The neck has an original U-shaped profile and a graphite nut. Its fingerboard features red dot inlays that match a red body and headstock binding as well as its red pickup covers, which house EMG PJ-X’s. Hardware includes Gotoh tuners and a Gotoh 201B-4 bridge. It ships with a hardshell case.
The LTD FB-J4 is a more affordable version built in their LTD factory that carries many of the same features. Besides hand-selected woods, its specs also differ with a standard U-shaped neck with a molded nut.
The ESP Frank Bello J-4 and the LTD Series FB-J4 will be available soon with street prices of $3,999 and $999, respectively.
ESP Custom Shop Frank Bello J-4 Bass Specs:
| Construction: | Bolt-On |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Alder |
| Neck: | One-Piece Maple |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 305mm |
| Finish: | Black Satin |
| Nut Width: | 42mm |
| Nut Type: | Graphite |
| Neck Contour: | FB Original U |
| Frets/Type: | 21 XJ |
| Hardware Color: | Black |
| Strap Button: | Standard |
| Tuners: | Gotoh |
| Bridge: | Gotoh 201B-4 |
| Pickups: | PJ-X with Red Covers |
| Electronics: | Active |
| Electronics Layout: | Vol/Bal/Tone |
| Case Included: | Yes |
ESP LTD Series FB-J4 Bass Specs:
| Construction: | Bolt-On |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Alder |
| Neck: | Maple |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 305mm |
| Finish: | Black Satin |
| Nut Width: | 42mm |
| Nut Type: | Molded |
| Neck Contour: | U |
| Frets/Type: | 21 XJ |
| Hardware Color: | Black |
| Strap Button: | Standard |
| Tuners: | Gotoh |
| Bridge: | Gotoh 201B-4 |
| Pickups: | PJ-X with Red Covers |
| Electronics: | Active |
| Electronics Layout: | Vol/Bal/Tone |
| Case Included: | No |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
