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ESP

Description

The ESP LTD B-205SM 5-String Electric Bass Guitar is an affordable yet high-quality bass offers an ash body with a stunning spalted maple top in Satin Natural finish. Built with 5-piece maple for maximum stability, the bolt-on neck is set deep into the body for a combination of snap and sustain. The Thin U-Neck Contour gives fast fingers optimum access to the full 24-fret scale.

Thunderous Tonewoods

The B-205SM gets its focused lows, punchy mids and gnarly bite from distinctive tonewoods. Spalted maple's unique coloration and grain pattern make a great look to stand out. Ash provides a bright, resonant tone with clear note definition. Together they yield a bold and balanced bass tone perfect for any music genre.

Modern Electronics for Sculpting Your Sound

The B-205SM has 5 controls for crafting your ideal bass tone. A balance control blends the SB-5N neck pickup and SB-5B bridge pickup—from full neck to full bridge. Bass, mid and treble boost/cut controls enable tone tweaking of your blend setting. A master volume completes the active electronics.

Player-Centered Design

Designed with the bassist in mind, the B-205SM sports an extra-low B string and 24 fret markers for hand positioning. Its slim, fast maple/jatoba 5-piece neck and thin U-shaped contour provide an excellent playing feel. The string-thru-body design offers stable tuning and sustain. Distinctive black nickel hardware and fret markers are as bold as your tone.

ESP LTD B-205SM 5-String Electric Bass Guitar - Satin Natural
ESP LTD B-205SM 5-String Electric Bass Guitar - Satin Natural

Features

  • Bolt-on construction
  • 34" scale
  • Ash body
  • Spalted maple top
  • 5-piece maple/rosewood neck
  • Rosewood fingerboard
  • 45mm standard nut
  • Thin U neck contour
  • 24 XJ frets
  • Black nickel hardware
  • ESP tuners
  • ESP BB-605 bridge with string-thru-body
  • ESP SB-5 (B & N) pickups
  • ESP ABQ-3 3-Band Active EQ
    • Controls
    • Bass Boost/Cut
    • Volume
    • Mid Boost/Cut
    • Treble Boost/Cut
    • Balance

    Specs

    General
    • Product type: 5-string electric bass guitar
    • Series: LTD B series
    Body
    • Body wood: Ash
    • Top wood: Spalted maple
    Neck
    • Neck wood: 5-piece maple and jatoba
    • Neck construction: Bolt-on
    • Neck shape: Thin U
    Fingerboard
    • Number of frets: 24
    Electronics
    • Neck pickup: ESP SB-5N
    • Bridge pickup: ESP SB-5B
    • Controls: Master volume, balance, bass boost and cut, mid boost and cut, treble boost and cut
    Hardware
    • Bridge type: String-through-body
    • Hardware finish: Black nickel

    Warranty

    Limited lifetime warranty on all guitars.
    One year warranty on parts and electronics.

    Featured Articles

    Reviews

    4.76

    17 Reviews

    94%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend

    This thing is just gorgeous, I can't put it down
    Best impulse buy ever
    Regret purchasing this bass

    Most Liked Positive Review

    5

    All around great bass

    Ordered the bass online and it got to my house pretty quick. The bass looks great in person. I've had it for a couple weeks now and really like how it plays. The sound and tone of it are excellent and the neck is made for easy and smooth playing.

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

    2

    Regret purchasing this bass

    I got this bass a couple months ago and in the short time I've owned it all the knobs buzz and after taking it to gc the guitar tech messed with knobs in an attempt to "clean "them and know two knobs are loose and fall off whe turned the pickups have interference honestly regret getting it

    Filters
    Best Uses
    1. Practicing13
    2. Recording10
    3. Jamming9
    4. Rock Concerts9
    5. Small Venues7
    Cons
    1. Fret Buzz3
    2. Craftsmanship1
    3. Its Weight1
    4. Heavy!1
    5. 9V pickup battery wears out fairly quickly1
    Describe Yourself
    1. Experienced13
    2. Child1
    3. Novice1
    4. Professional Musician1
    Pros
    1. Fun To Play13
    2. Good Feel13
    3. Good Pick Up12
    4. Good Tone12
    5. Solid Electronics12

    Reviewed by 17 customers

    • This thing is just gorgeous, I can't put it down

      5

      submitted5 years ago

      byJude B.

      fromKansas City, Missouri

      So I bought it to tune it up to EADGC to fit my playing style better, and this thing works like a dream. The overall tone and selection in the bass is just breathtaking, not to forget about the beautiful finish on the body.

    • Great all-purpose bass!

      5

      submitted5 years ago

      byEric, S

      fromNiagara Falls, NY

      Great bass. I picked it up to re-record some bass parts that I played on some of my songs with a guitar tuned down an octave. It definitely helped the overall feel of the songs quite a bit. I don't know much about bass guitar and didn't want to get a cheap one, so I figured I'd get this one. It did not disappoint. I think the overall price point and sound/playability makes this instrument great for any application, be it as a higher end student instrument or as a more professional gigging bass. It's a bit on the heavy side even for a bass, so get a good strap to go with it. Don't cheap out on one.

    • Great bass for the money!

      4

      submitted6 years ago

      byJim

      fromTulsa, OK

      This is the first five string I have ever played or owned. That being said one week with this bass and I ordered a Stingray Five. Hooked on a 5 now. I have an American Jazz and MM Stingray 4 as well. This bass has a very solid sound. I purchased it directly off the hanger at the Guitar Center her in Tulsa. For such an inexpensive bass with somewhat tired strings this thing sounds wonderful. I added a little bass and mid on the EQ and rolled the pickups to about 60/40 rear. Fantastic tone. Ash body and a humbucker are the way to go. It does need a bit of set-up and intonation but playability is there in stock condition. If you are looking for a snappy, bright jazzy Jaco type sound this probably isn't your bag but I love it. Easily worth $100-200 more.

    • Bring the slapdown

      5

      submitted6 years ago

      byBloodbathZakk

      fromJacksonville, FL

      This bass slaps harder than my dad did when I got quick with my lip.

    • Best impulse buy ever

      5

      submitted6 years ago

      byComicJC

      fromLa Mesa, CA

      I walked in to the Guitar Center in La Mesa, CA to buy some strings for one of my other basses and ended up walking out with this amazing guitar. I was already in the market for a 5 string and when I started playing this baby in the store I knew it was "the one" after a few minutes. The action was great, the neck was straight, and I played through a clean and overdrive channel. It was exactly what I had in mind for a 5 string. And this was the one on the rack. I had them get me a new one, got some strings, and a new case. I was out of there in 45 minutes. I got home and did a basic setup and have gig'd with it 30-40 times and this thing is rock solid. Between the gigs and the rehearsals, I've put a pretty good beating on it and it just keeps getting more and more fun to play. All the hardware and pickups are the original and this thing stays in tune no matter what. I will put it up with my $2000 Warwick in sound and playability. I love this guitar.

    • It's a beaut!

      5

      submitted6 years ago

      byJesse the tattooer

      fromVancouver WA

      My first 5 string and I'm hooked! Plays great, set up well right out of the box, great sound, great finish, couldn't be happier

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    Q&A

    Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

    • submitted4 years ago

      asked byGuy

      fromElma wa

      How long does battery last till I need a new one and what kind of battery does it use?

      Open Reply - Thomas
      It depends on how often you play it. It takes a standard 9v battery. Remember to unplug the cord.

    • submitted4 years ago

      asked byPastor Mitch

      fromLinden, TX

      Can you tell me the width of the neck of this guitar at it's widest point?

      Open Reply - Beau
      This information isn't available but it has a 1.77" nut width.

    • submitted5 years ago

      asked byMicheal

      fromOilcity, pa

      Does this bass have a hard shell case

      Open Reply - Kenneth
      Case not included

    • submitted7 years ago

      asked byTrent

      fromOmaha NE

      Is there one of these in Omaha NE

      Open Reply - Ronald
      I'm not showing one in their inventory. But you can place an order for one and have it shipped to the Omaha store.

    • submitted7 years ago

      asked byZech

      fromGrand Prairie, Texas

      This website says the pickups are active, but Ive read elsewhere that they are passive. Are they active or passive?

      Open Reply - Kenneth
      This is an active model

    • submitted7 years ago

      asked byKeegan

      fromKalamazoo, MI

      Is the see through black finish available on the 4 string variant, because I have been unable to find it on any of Guitar Center's websites?

      Open Reply - Kenneth
      Please call a Sales Agent for Special Order placement