Head to head
ESP B-205DX Red Burst vs Ibanez SR500
The verdict
The ESP B-205DX Red Burst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 66 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
- Better build (87 vs 67)
- Better playability (81 vs 67)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (83 vs 69)
- Lower price ($599 vs $700)
Ibanez SR500 wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | B-205DX Red Burst | SR500 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 66 |
| Build | 87 | 67 |
| Playability | 81 | 67 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 83 | 69 |
Full specifications
| Spec | B-205DX Red Burst | SR500 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Ibanez |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | 1987 |
| Country | JP | ID |
| Body wood | Poplar | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Roasted Maple | Maple/Walnut |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 5 | 4 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 34" | 34" |
| Pickups | ESP SB-5N / ESP SB-5B | HH (Bartolini) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $599 | $700 – $900 |
| Bridge | LTD DB-5 | Fixed |
| Bridge pickup | ESP SB-5B | — |
| Case | B BASS FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Volume/Balance/Bass/Treble | — |
| Finish | Red Burst | — |
| Fretboard radius | 400mm | — |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP SB-5N | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 45mm | — |
| Scale length | 34" | — |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| Body shape | — | Double cutaway |
| Weight | — | 4 kg |