ESP LTD B-205SM Fretless Bass Guitar in Natural Stain Finish B-Stock
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Out of stock
- SKU
- LB205SMFLNS-B
- Color
- Natural
. 
This guitar ships without a case
Add the matching hard caseESP CBBASSFF Form-Fit Hardshell Case for B/D Series Basses (Case Only)
$229.00
Description
Sound & Tone
The fretless roasted jatoba board and 34" scale give this five-string a smooth, vocal attack with singing sustain and the sliding, mwah-like expressiveness fretless players seek, while the ash body with spalted maple top and 5-piece maple/jatoba neck keep the low end clear and defined. Dual passive ESP Designed SB-5 pickups deliver articulate lows and present midrange, and the active ABQ-3 3-band EQ lets you shape bass, mids, and treble for anything from warm, rounded fingerstyle tones to brighter, more cutting voices. The strings-thru-body bridge adds resonance and note bloom, making it well suited to jazz, fusion, gospel, and R&B, as well as session work where nuanced phrasing and extended low range matter.
ESP LTD B-205SM Fretless Bass Guitar in Natural Satin Finish
The B-205SM captures the smooth, expressive character of fretless bass with a refined feel that translates directly to your recordings. Its extra thin U-shaped neck pairs comfortably with the responsive 5-piece maple/jatoba construction, while the spalted maple top over ash provides both visual appeal and tonal clarity. This instrument is engineered for producers and engineers serious about fretless articulation and nuanced tone shaping in the mix.
Recording Response & Construction
The 34" scale with bolt-on construction ensures tight intonation tracking and consistent neck response under session demands, while the roasted jatoba fingerboard with 24 clearly marked fret indicators guides placement without restricting the expressive slides and bends that define fretless character. The 45mm molded nut maintains balanced string spacing across the width for clean fingerstyle tracking and separation, and the 400mm fingerboard radius delivers a comfortable arc that supports both seated and standing recording positions.
Tone Capture & Signal Path
The paired passive ESP Designed SB-5 pickups deliver detailed low-end articulation and midrange definition that cut through in dense mixes, fed through the active ABQ-3 3-band EQ for precise boost/cut control over bass, mids, and treble during tracking and post-production shaping. The ESP BB-605 bridge with individual saddles and strings-thru-body design maximizes sustain and resonance, giving your recordings both expressive tone control and rock-solid intonation stability across multiple takes.
Key Features
- Ash body with spalted maple top
- Bolt-on construction with 34" scale
- 5-piece maple/jatoba extra thin U-shaped neck
- Roasted jatoba fingerboard (fretless with 24 marked fret indicators)
- 400mm fingerboard radius
- 45mm molded nut
- 5-string configuration
- Passive ESP Designed SB-5 pickups
- Active ABQ-3 3-band EQ
- Black nickel hardware
- ESP BB-605 bridge with 5 individual saddles and strings-thru-body design
- Natural Satin finish
The B-205SM combines responsive construction, versatile active electronics, and fretless expressiveness in a professionally finished package ready for studio sessions and production work.
As a B-Stock instrument it carries a minor factory cosmetic blemish — a small finish mark with no effect on playability, tone or structure — which is why it sells for less than a first-quality unit. The exact blemish varies from unit to unit, so it is not described or pictured here; photos show the model, not the individual unit. It is new, unplayed and covered by the full manufacturer warranty.
More Information
| Dexterity | Right handed |
|---|---|
| Condition | Refurbished |
| Country of Manufacture | China |
Reviews
About this B-Stock unit
| Condition | B-Stock - cosmetic blemish, fully functional |
|---|---|
| Price vs new | $140 under the new unit ($699) |
Prefer a brand-new one? ESP LTD B-205SM Fretless Bass in Natural Satin is in the catalog at $699.
Specifications
| Body Style | Modern Bass |
|---|---|
| Pickups | P/J |
| Bridge | String-Through Body |
| Strings | 5 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Made In | China |
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Jazz, Funk, Progressive, Studio Sessions, Home Recording |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | Articulate low end, midrange definition, expressive sustain, warm resonance |
| Less specialized for | Metal, Punk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does B-Stock mean and does it affect playability or tone?
B-Stock means this unit is new and unplayed but carries minor cosmetic finish marks or light blemishes on the natural satin exterior. These have zero impact on playability, tone, or structural integrity, and the bass includes full manufacturer warranty coverage. The exact cosmetic blemish varies unit to unit and is not individually pictured.
Is this fretless bass suitable for learning or does it require advanced technique?
This is best suited for intermediate, advanced, and professional players with established fretless technique. The roasted jatoba fingerboard includes 24 marked fret indicators to guide finger placement, but the instrument is designed for players already comfortable with intonation control and expressive sliding that fretless playing demands.
What genres and styles is this bass built for?
The B-205SM excels in jazz, funk, progressive, and studio session work where expressive tone shaping and articulate low-end definition are valued. Its warm resonance and midrange clarity are not optimized for metal or punk applications.
What electronics does it have and can I shape the tone?
It features passive ESP Designed SB-5 pickups paired with an active ABQ-3 3-band EQ, giving you precise boost and cut control over bass, mids, and treble. The strings-thru-body bridge with individual saddles maximizes sustain and resonance, supporting both expressive tone shaping and rock-solid intonation stability.
How does the neck feel and what is the scale length?
The 34-inch scale with extra-thin U-shaped 5-piece maple/jatoba neck provides a comfortable, responsive feel in hand, while the 400mm fingerboard radius and 45mm molded nut create a playable arc suitable for both seated and standing positions. Bolt-on construction ensures stable intonation and efficient neck response.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.
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