Head to head
ESP B-206SM NATURAL SATIN vs Gibson Thunderbird
The verdict
The ESP B-206SM NATURAL SATIN comes out ahead overall — 80 to 71 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP B-206SM NATURAL SATIN wins on
- Better playability (81 vs 64)
- Better sound (68 vs 63)
- Better value (83 vs 68)
- Lower price ($749 vs $1,200)
Gibson Thunderbird wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | B-206SM NATURAL SATIN | Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 71 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 64 |
| Sound | 68 | 63 |
| Value | 83 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | B-206SM NATURAL SATIN | Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | 1963 |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Ash | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 5Pc Maple/Jatoba | Mahogany (neck-through) |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 4 |
| Frets | 24 | 20 |
| Scale | 35" | 34" |
| Pickups | ESP SB-6N / ESP SB-6B | HH humbucker |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $749 | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| Bridge | LTD DB-6 | Fixed |
| Bridge pickup | ESP SB-6B | — |
| Case | B BASS 6 STRING FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Passive | — |
| Finish | NATURAL SATIN | — |
| Fretboard radius | 500mm | — |
| Hardware | Black Nickel | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP SB-6N | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 54mm | — |
| Scale length | 35" | — |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Top wood | Spalted Maple | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| Body shape | — | Thunderbird |
| Weight | — | 4.6 kg |