Head to head
ESP B-205DX Black Burst vs Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5EB Lake Blue
The verdict
The ESP B-205DX Black Burst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 65 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP B-205DX Black Burst wins on
- Better build (87 vs 58)
- Better playability (81 vs 72)
- Better sound (68 vs 63)
- Better value (83 vs 68)
Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5EB Lake Blue wins on
- Lower price ($380 vs $599)
Scorecard
| Metric | B-205DX Black Burst | Enhanced MJ-5EB Lake Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 65 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 81 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 63 |
| Value | 83 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | B-205DX Black Burst | Enhanced MJ-5EB Lake Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Poplar | — |
| Neck wood | Roasted Maple | — |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Macassar ebony |
| Strings | 5 | 4 |
| Frets | 24 | — |
| Scale | 34" | 34.02" |
| Pickups | ESP SB-5N / ESP SB-5B | Roswell MFR5-B Ferrite humbucker (bridge) and Roswell JMA5-N Ferrite single coil (middle) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $599 | $380 |
| Bridge | LTD DB-5 | — |
| Bridge pickup | ESP SB-5B | — |
| Case | B BASS FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Volume/Balance/Bass/Treble | — |
| Finish | Black Burst | High Gloss Lake Blue |
| Fretboard radius | 400mm | 350 mm |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP SB-5N | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Modern "C" |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 45mm | 46 mm |
| Scale length | 34" | 864 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| Split Switch | — | Humbucker / single coil |
| String gauges | — | .045 - .130 |
| Style | — | JB style |
| Suitable Case | — | Article no. #177638# (not included) |