LTD-ESP B-205SM

$563.00 to $649.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (5)

4 Reviews

1 wishlisted

8 saved

Page last updated Jun 30, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated January 15, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (17)

$649.00

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3.0 (12)

$584.10 Used

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5.0 (11)

$649.00

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4.5 (31)

$563.00

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Average Price: $611

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, LTD-ESP B-205SM is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "LTD-ESP B-205SM". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The LTD-ESP B-205SM 5-String Electric Bass Guitar is a harmonious blend of affordability and professional-grade craftsmanship, designed to satisfy both aspiring and seasoned bassists. With its spalted maple top and resonant ash body, this bass promises a rich sonic palette that shines in any genre. The ash provides a bright, clear tone, while the spalted maple adds a touch of visual elegance.

Engineered for precision and playability, the B-205SM features a 5-piece maple and jatoba neck with a thin U contour, offering smooth access across all 24 frets. This combination not only ensures maximum stability but also enhances the instrument's sustain and tonal clarity. The active electronics system, featuring ESP-designed SB-5 pickups, allows for extensive tonal shaping with its 3-band EQ and balance control.

Whether you're laying down thick grooves or intricate solos, the B-205SM's string-thru-body bridge design ensures consistent tuning and superior sustain. Black nickel hardware adds a sleek touch to its robust build, making it both a reliable and stylish choice for any performance setting.

Key Features:

5-string electric bass with a scale length of 34"
Ash body with a spalted maple top
5-piece maple/jatoba neck with thin U contour
Jatoba fingerboard with 24 XJ frets
ESP-designed SB-5 pickups with active electronics and 3-band EQ
String-thru-body bridge for enhanced sustain
Black nickel hardware and LTD BB-605 bridge
Master volume and balance control for versatile sound shaping

Product specs

Brand	ESP LTD
Model	B-205SM
Finish	Natural Satin, See Thru Black Satin
Year	2011 - 2018
Categories	5- and 6-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	Active Preamp
Body Material	Ash
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Color Family	Black, Natural, Tan
Finish Style	Gloss, Satin
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	24
Number of Strings	5-String
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Top Material	Maple

FAQs

What type of pickups does the ESP LTD B-205SM have?: The ESP LTD B-205SM is equipped with passive pickups in a humbucker configuration, providing a versatile tonal range suitable for various music styles.
Is the ESP LTD B-205SM suitable for slap bass techniques?: Yes, the ESP LTD B-205SM's active preamp and maple neck offer the snappy response and clarity desired for slap bass techniques, making it a great choice for funk and other styles.
How does the active preamp on the ESP LTD B-205SM enhance its sound?: The active preamp on the ESP LTD B-205SM allows for bass, mid, and treble boost/cut, enabling precise tonal shaping and enhancing the overall sound versatility.
What materials are used in the construction of the ESP LTD B-205SM?: The ESP LTD B-205SM features an ash body with a maple top, a maple neck, and a rosewood fretboard, combining to deliver a balanced tone with strong midrange and clear highs.
How many frets are available on the ESP LTD B-205SM?: The ESP LTD B-205SM has 24 frets, providing a full two-octave range for each string, which is ideal for players seeking extended range and flexibility in their playing.

Videos

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TankTheTech

Unboxing my first NEW BASS in 14 years! [ESP LTD B-205SM Reaction/Review]

TankTheTech

ESP LTD B205SM STBLKS - Sound Demo (no talking)

Bass Bonedo

LTD B205SM 5-STRING BASS GUITAR DEMO

JOHN’S GUITAR, MUSIC AND DEMOS

LTD B205SM Full Demo | Honest Review

JOHN’S GUITAR, MUSIC AND DEMOS

ESP LTD 5 String Bass Review

Hero Bass

Reviews

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PROS

Solid build with high-quality construction, exceeding expectations for the price.
Stock ESP pickups are clear, clean, and vibrant.
Beautiful spalted maple finish is visually striking.
Narrow and thin neck design offers excellent playability.
3-band EQ and active pickups enhance tonal flexibility.
Versatile sound suitable for various genres, from funk to metal.
Exceptional sustain, surprising for its ash wood construction.
Offers a premium feel often compared to more expensive models.
Great value, comparable to higher-end basses at a lower price.
Ideal for both stage and studio use.

CONS

Some instances of neck dive reported.
Factory setup may require adjustments, notably the low B string.
Stock strings may not suit all players' preferences.
Fret buzz issues have been noted and may require setup tweaks.
Heavy weight, may require a good strap for comfort.
Active electronics consume 9-volt batteries quickly.
Some minor setup issues out of the box, such as bowed necks.

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about LTD-ESP B-205SM.

Features and functionality

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The B string performs well despite the 34” scale, which is often a concern for 5-string basses.
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The satin finish is appreciated for its aesthetic and tactile qualities, enhancing the overall playing experience.
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Stock ESP SB pickups with 3-band EQ offer versatile tones, providing excellent value at lower price points.
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The ESP LTD B205SM features a standard active EQ, which some find too overbearing compared to more versatile preamp options.
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Comparisons

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The LTD-ESP B-205SM shares similarities with the Ibanez SR-505E, particularly in terms of build and playability.
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Compared to the Sterling Ray 34, the B-205SM's tone is considered somewhat bland, suggesting it might benefit from tone modeling.
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The Sire M2 has a 35" scale length, whereas the ESP LTD B205SM is 34", which may influence playability for those used to shorter scale lengths.
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User experience

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The neck is noted for its comfort, contributing to ease of play, especially for those transitioning from a beginner bass.
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Owners appreciate the B-205SM for its compact feel, making it a budget-friendly choice for those seeking a five-string bass without the bulk.
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The string spacing and neck width are praised for their comfort, with players noting these aspects enhance the playing experience.
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Some players find a passive setup preferable for fretless basses, achieving a more natural, upright-like tone.
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Other

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There is a perception issue with the LTD branding, where some feel it's seen as inferior to ESP, despite the quality.
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Use cases and applications

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The bass is favored by musicians transitioning from guitar to bass, highlighting its accessibility for guitarists.
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For fretless basses, tapewound strings are recommended for their bright sound and minimal fingerboard wear, ideal for a smooth playing experience.
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Setup and maintenance

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Factory fretless models have thicker fretboards, potentially increasing longevity compared to converted fretless basses.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 5 Ratings

5 star

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1 star

ricardo_cuevas

over 10 years ago

an awesome bass

The ESP LTD B-205SM 5-String Electric Bass Guitar has a bright-sounding ash body with a beautiful spalted maple top. Featuring string-thru design and active electronics, this bass has sound features that will inspire you.

Built with 5-piece maple for maximum stability, the bolt-on neck is set deep into the body for a winning combination of snap and sustain. The Thin U Neck Contour gives your fingers optimum access to the full scale of the 24-fret neck.

The LTD B-205SM has 5 controls for dialing in just the right sound for the song. A balance control allows you to blend the output of the 2 pickups - full neck, full bridge, or anywhere in between. Separate bass, mid, and treble boost/cut controls enable further tone tweaking of your blend setting. A master volume completes the electronics section.

ben_manning

about 10 years ago

My Instrument

Absolutely stunning value for the price. The workmanship is very high and the bass looks really nice. Tone is fantastic, and I think it's currently my sound.

The only negative points I have are minor ones. The high band on the eq has a very minor effect and the two lower band frequencies are too close to each other. Sound-wise it's still very usable but the amount of physical controls would allow more tonal thomann variety. Second minor negative point is the fret markers. They look like frets which ruins the cool look of the fretless board.

alexbagheri

133

almost 8 years ago

Great Freless tone for an affordable price.

This is the first pre-built fretless I have bought. If you are getting into Jaco or Steve Bailey and want to emulate their sounds, this isn't the bass for you, but it does offer a unique and stunning tone that allows for plenty of versatility.