Head to head
ESP B-205DX Red Burst vs ESP B-205SM Fretless NATURAL SATIN
The verdict
The ESP B-205DX Red Burst and ESP B-205SM Fretless NATURAL SATIN are closely matched overall — 80 to 80 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP B-205DX Red Burst wins on
- Lower price ($599 vs $699)
ESP B-205SM Fretless NATURAL SATIN wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | B-205DX Red Burst | B-205SM Fretless NATURAL SATIN |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 80 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 83 | 83 |
Full specifications
| Spec | B-205DX Red Burst | B-205SM Fretless NATURAL SATIN |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Poplar | Ash |
| Neck wood | Roasted Maple | 5Pc Maple/Jatoba |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 5 | 5 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 34" | 34" |
| Pickups | ESP SB-5N / ESP SB-5B | ESP Designed SB-5N / ESP Designed SB-5B |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $599 | $699 |
| Bridge | LTD DB-5 | LTD BB-605 w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | ESP SB-5B | ESP Designed SB-5B |
| Case | B BASS FORM FIT CASE | B BASS FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | N | N |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Bolt-On |
| Controls | Volume/Balance/Bass/Treble | Passive |
| Finish | Red Burst | NATURAL SATIN |
| Fretboard radius | 400mm | 400mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black Nickel |
| Neck pickup | ESP SB-5N | ESP Designed SB-5N |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Molded | Molded |
| Nut width | 45mm | 45mm |
| Scale length | 34" | 34" |
| Strap Button | Standard | Standard |
| Tuners | LTD | LTD |
| Top wood | — | Spalted Maple |