which bass is better?

[HerbertEvil]

Can somebody please tell me what is the difference between LTD AX-404 and LTD F-404FM? If you ignore the appearance, which do you think is better in electronics and stuff? I don't know much about electronics, and both basses look pretty much the same. I just want to know your opinion and maybe someone have played both of them and can tell me.
thanks already! :)

Or maybe they both kind of suck and you can tell me some other good bass to look for...?

AX-404 (http://www.espguitars.com/basses_ax.html)
F-404FM (http://www.espguitars.com/basses_f.html)

[Mystievel]

honestly their both basicalllly the same thing just a few differences with the fingerboard, mainly depends on what looks u leik better.
I've heard good things about the f-404 tho.

[B1ackD3at4]

There basically the same thing. Only real differences are the neck material, scale, and the ax can be string through if you want. Personally I'd go with neither just because I hate the tribal on the basses, but if had to choose I'd say the F, becuase the AX you get in the US is nothing compared to the old Japan one.

[Ryan 2%]

honestly, go with a B or viper series. every F series i've ever heard starts to sound like crap after a while no matter how well you take care of it. dunno about the ax though

[Rex Rocker]

every F series i've ever heard starts to sound like crap after a while no matter how well you take care of it.
what? what is this nonsense!

I'd personally much rather go F-404 now that they've removed the lousy inlays for this year's model...

[Kitsapbass]

No difference between the two - I guess that must be true if you think a Strat and Les Paul sound the same...

The AX has a 34" scale, while the F series have a 35" scale - which is actually a bigger percentage difference between the scale lengths of a LP and a Fender strat - which is the biggest reason why you can't get a LP sound out of a strat, or vice versa. The strings are going to be tighter on the F series, and no matter what, you will get a brighter sound on it, especially if you slap.

On the other hand, the AX has a slightly thinner neck (by 2mm) - which will be noticeable - than the F series. The EMG's will sound like EMG's, so the biggest difference will be in how it feels.

I'll break it down this way - You will have an easier time playing the AX, if you have normal size hands; You will most likely get a better sound playing the F.

[Deathroll]

Just go with the guitar you think has the best looks

[bloodstyle]

I'd totally go for the f404fm. it is more of a bass shape than the AX + the red flame mapple is really nice. looks very class. can look both killer and groovy.

[metalhobo]

No difference between the two - I guess that must be true if you think a Strat and Les Paul sound the same...

The AX has a 34" scale, while the F series have a 35" scale - which is actually a bigger percentage difference between the scale lengths of a LP and a Fender strat - which is the biggest reason why you can't get a LP sound out of a strat, or vice versa. The strings are going to be tighter on the F series, and no matter what, you will get a brighter sound on it, especially if you slap.


I'm pretty sure a Strat can't sound like an LP because it's made of alder and has single coil pickups.

[Azrael416]

I ordered the F404fm back in October and i'm still waiting for it to arrive.

[Deathroll]

that sucks.

[ESPChris91]

I'm pretty sure a Strat can't sound like an LP because it's made of alder and has single coil pickups.

not every strat has single coils retard. i have a strat... HSH with floyd rose. stock.

[metalhobo]

not every strat has single coils retard. i have a strat... HSH with floyd rose. stock.

o rly? That fails to address the fact that most Stratocasters have 3 single coils, hence the "strat sound" being a synonym for single coil tone. Everyone knows "strat sound" equals single coil, and "LP sound" equals humbucking (or possibly P-90) tone. In the words of EVH -possibly the most famous person to have a humbucker in a strat- he "wanted a Gibson tone with a strat feel." Yeah, Mr. van Halen is pretty retarded...

[Ryan 2%]

Just go with the guitar you think has the best looks

wrong.