Is this bass good for someone moving from a four-string to five-string?

Yes. The thin U-contoured neck, 45mm nut width, and 24 XJ frets are designed to make the transition straightforward, with rapid position shifts and upper-range access built in.

What kinds of tones can the electronics dial in?

The dual ESP SB-5 pickups and ABQ-3 3-band active EQ with bass, mid, and treble boost/cut deliver articulate, punchy tones across the frequency range, from tight slap tones to deep, focused lows.

What is the scale length and nut width?

The B-205SM has a 34-inch scale length and a 45mm nut width, both standard measurements that suit intermediate to advanced players and most hand sizes.

How does the string-thru-body bridge affect sustain?

The ESP BB-605 bridge with string-thru-body design maximizes sustain and tonal transfer directly to the body, giving you extended note length and resonance.

What are the main construction materials?

The bass features a spalted maple top over ash body for durability and resonant low-end, a 5-piece maple/rosewood neck with thin U contour for warp resistance, and a natural satin finish that reduces weight and maintenance.

ESP LTD B-205SM Bass Guitar in Natural Stain Finish

The B-205SM brings balanced, articulate low-end response to home studio sessions with its thin U-contoured neck and standard 34" scale length. The spalted maple top over ash body delivers solid tonal foundation and visual character, while the satin finish reduces unwanted reflections and keeps the instrument lightweight for extended tracking sessions. This five-string is engineered for studio versatility and responsive tone-shaping without unnecessary weight or complexity.

Build & Construction

Bolt-on ash body with spalted maple top establishes a resonant, focused low-end core ideal for layering and mixing. The 5-piece maple/rosewood neck resists temperature and humidity shifts during long sessions, while the thin U neck contour and 45mm nut enable quick passage work and multi-take comfort, supporting efficient tracking and arrangement exploration.

Tone & Electronics

Dual ESP SB-5 pickups (bridge and neck) capture articulate definition and punchy attack across the frequency spectrum, translating clearly to recordings. The ESP ABQ-3 3-band active EQ with bass boost/cut, mid boost/cut, treble boost/cut, volume, and balance controls lets you sculpt everything from tight, controlled slap textures to deep, focused lows during tracking or to adapt quickly across different song arrangements in a session. The ESP BB-605 bridge with string-thru-body design maximizes sustain and tonal transfer to the body for consistent recording presence.

Key Features

Spalted maple top with ash body
5-piece maple/rosewood neck with thin U contour
24 XJ frets for extended upper range access
34" scale length
45mm standard nut width
Rosewood fingerboard
Dual ESP SB-5 pickups (bridge and neck)
ESP ABQ-3 3-band active EQ with bass/mid/treble boost/cut and balance control
Black nickel hardware with ESP tuners
ESP BB-605 bridge with string-thru-body design
Natural Satin finish

The B-205SM pairs thoughtful hardware, responsive electronics, and solid construction into a recording bass that supports both technical tracking precision and broad tonal palette exploration across multiple production contexts.

Dexterity	Right handed
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Condition	New
Country of Manufacture	China