ESP B-255

I purchased this bass used, but it was originally sold in 2004. Neck-thru & string-thru design made in Indonesia. Comes with two EMG soap bar pickups, ESP tuners, 3-band active EQ. Controls are logically laid out with one control for each band on EQ, volume, and pickup balance. Neck is 34". Red flame-top maple has high gloss finish on body and neck. I got it with the ESP hard case, which weighs a ton, so I usually use a gig bag.

With the active EQ, you can get a lot of different sounds. I mainly play through a sound system via direct box (yuk) so I need all the help I can get. I've been running it through a Yamaha Magic Stomp on the "Fat Bass Combo", which probably isn't necessary, but I just like the way it sounds. Regardless, I can always find a sound that cuts through and balances well. Primarily playing modern worship music which ranges from ballads to punchy alternative rock. I'm still playing with various string/setup combinations, but have had no problem getting awesome sounds out of anything I've put on there.

Since I didn't get the bass from the factory, I don't know if it was tweaked. I'm pretty sure the prior owner didn't do anything to it because there was no evidence of play on it. Tonality was perfect. I tightened the neck a slight bit which really improved the action for me. I have to be careful not to hit on the low B string too hard, or it will buzz, but it is thick as a piano strings. The controls are silky smooth. One control rubbed against the body a bit, but a two-second adjustment took care of that. The tuners are decent but don't have the feel of a Grover. Once the strings settle in, the bass holds tune like a rock. Weight is a bit heavy, but it feels solid. Balance is AWESOME--the neck sits right where you put it--it doesn't bob around at all. I haven't seen anything I would consider as a factory flaw--finish, seams, joints, all are glassy smooth. Personally, I prefer a satin neck, but the color and finish are really pretty. I get lots of compliments on the looks.

I have a feeling that the finish won't stay glossy too long. I'm sure it will look like it's been played. The strap buttons are huge and rock solid. I was going to replace them with locks, but I haven't really found the need for it yet. The battery seems to last forever. I've been playing on it for about 9 months, and the battery still reads full-strength. Access to battery requires a screwdriver, which kind of sucks, but is ok since I don't have to change it much. I usually have a back-up handy, but have yet to need it. So far, no cracks or bubbles have come up on the finish, so I'm happy. If not for the softness of the high-gloss, I think I'd give it a 10.

No experience with them--I doubt I'd need it.

I'm a fairly new to the bass, but have been playing guitar for a number of years, and this instrument just has a beautiful feel to it. If I were to have this one lost, it would break my heart. I don't think I would be happy with anything else in that price range.

this was made in 2004 or 2005 and has Indonesia labeled on the back of the headstock. it's a neck-through body design, so no bolt on. the finish is clear and encompasses the entire instrument; including the back of the neck which is either good or bad depending on your taste. it doesn't affect the playability of the neck.

there are two soapbar EMG-40HZ pickups stock and a 3 band active preamp. the pickups sound amazing and i will not replace them. the body is agathis and the neck is a 5 piece maple/rosewood laminate.

the sound is amazing. the 3 band EQ is alright, but i've never really used an onboard preamp before, so i just keep the dials in the middle. the pickups are humbucking and sound fantastic. the sound is more of a mid tone-centric; perhaps slightly skewed towards the bass end.

this would probably be a studio bass, but i would play this on stage as well as long as i knew it wouldn't get knocked around.

okay.. had a couple problems here. the finish had a few small cracks when i got it. this doesn't affect playability or durability, but just out of principle i didn't like having cracks in the finish that i didn't accidentally put there. sinc the back of the neck is finished as well, the machine heads can't be tightened too tight or you'll further crack the finish (i accidentally found this out the hard way, though the crack is very small and hardly noticable).

the bridge is string through body, and has little metal holders when you insert the string through the rear of the instrument. these metal holders were not glued into my bass (i'm not sure they're supposed to be) and when i change strings they fall out. i might glue them in later, but with the strings in the instrument this problem is very minor.

the top is flamed maple with looks great. the agathis is very similar in color and has an interesting grain. i like the constrast between the two in the rear.

since i've already put a couple of very small cracks in the finish, i'm not so sure how well this thing would hold up to being dropped or smacked on anything too much. i believe the finish to be somewhat fragile, but other than that the rest of the instrument is rock solid. everything is fastened securely (except my concern in the previous section).

i messed around with the truss rod for a couple days trying to lower the action further, but eventually came to the conclusion that the factory had lowered it as far as it could go without buzzing. this turned out to be around 3/64'' for the E and A strings and 2/64'' for the D and G strings. the B string is around 4-5/64'' at the 12th fret.

i haven't dealt with ESP customer support.

i've been playing bass since 1994, and this is my first 5 string bass. after i got everything adjusted i really like this bass. since i bought this bass online, it would have helped to have been able to play it first. however i enjoy this bass and am satisfied with my purchase.

i really love the sound of this bass. previously i've just owned a p-bass and a p/j combo, both of which have sounded no where near as good as this. whatever this bass lacks in durability, it makes up for by far in sound. as long as this bass is not neglected, it will stand the test of time.

i am also pleased with how easy this bass was to adjust. the intonation was perfect out of the box, as was the action. ESP seems to put a lot of work into their instruments. the only thing i wish tihs bass had, would be an ufinished or uncoated neck. i'm not a fan of the finished necks, but that's just personal preference. i can play this bass just as effortlessly as i can my bolt-on p-bass.