ESP B-55 5-String Bass

The ESP (LTD model) B-55 is a pretty straightforward, entry level bass. Mine is the brand new titanium colored version from MF. Although it's a five-string, it comes with the VERY standard P/J setup (ESP passives) and Volume Volume Tone electronics. Other than the fact that it's actually a pretty darned good looking for an entry level bass, a few physical features stand out:
1) Almost no body shaping from the factory (only two custs on the entire body). Definitely makes it a heavy bass.
2) Very flat neck.
3) EXCELLENT looking headstock!
4) Really cool looking 6-bolt neck to body attachment.

Seems kinda ironic that they'd go all out to make a great looking neck joint and headstock, but do almost no woodwork to the body lines (?). Hmmmmmm.....

Compared to the Squires, Rogues and low end Yamahas and Ibanezs that I've owned, this one definitely has its own look. All of the guys in the metal band gave it a tumbs -up.

Good tone with a couple of weak spots out of the box. Pretty good tone across the board, with some volume weakness in the mid and upper range (A-string and above). Still working on getting the bass EQed properly in my rig. HOWEVER, once mixed into the full band, it had a very distinct attack and the bass does cut through. In fact, when playing, it's almost like the bass is helping the kick drum more than the kick is helping the bass attack (opposite of the norm for me). I don't seem to hear the notes as well as other basses that I use (I'll need to un-scoop my mids a bit), but the much improved attack is a good trade off when playing metal.

Here's where ESP and MF shined with regards to this bass. This one arrived almost perfectly set up. Strings were all at the correct height, pickups were level, bridge was set correctly, and fit and finish were excellent for the price.

As noted in a previous review, this thing is a tank. I can't imagine having any issues from either wood piece. All hardware appears to be first rate for Indonesian manufacturing. I realize that the wood treatments aren't as fancy and the pickups are normally lower quality than their American or European counterparts, BUT I'm finding that most of the Asian instruments that I've bought over the last ten years have been of universally outstanding quality. For a fraction of the cost of an American instrument, I can have a Korean or Indonesian that gigs just darned fine!! It's still a bargain, even if you decide to retrofit with a set of $100-$200 aftermarket pickups.

I'm one of those lucky few that have had absolutely no problems with Musicians' Friend in ten years of doing business with them. As for ESP, I have had no contact with them concerning this product or any other.

After eleven years in the local bar scene and 23 basses coming and going through my collection, I can definitely say that this particular bass is a good bang for the buck at the $150 I paid.

With all else (tone, volume and playability) being equal to the other basses in its class, I sure do love to take it up on stage and let the audience (even other musicians) think it's a much more expensive instrument than it really is.

Fretted 5-String, 24-fret bass -- came with GHS Nickel strings on it. Looks absolutely sexy with black-on-black hardware. The fingerboard is I believe Rosewood. The bass uses passive electronics, uses a p/j pickup configuration. XJ frets.

Sounds amazing -- renders a rock-solid low end, and a rather bright high end. I'm using it clean running out of a 200 watt Peavy 210TX Combo Amp that was split into a seperate amp/cab setup. This bass can suffer from some hum when the volume is completely maxed -- but this is hardly unexpected given the bass lacks humbucking. The bass, in my oppinion, has an amazing low end. The high end is slightly shrill, but still acceptable even when compared to something like a Fender Jazz.

I've found the bass perfect for every situation I've been in so far. I play absolutely everything, and my -only- complaint would be the narrow string spacing -- thus making it annoying to attempt to slap.

I recieved this bass second-hand, but everything was perfect until about 7 months afterward -- a quick 15 minute D-I-Y setup was all that was required to alleviate the small amount of fretbuzz. The bass has required no further additional modifications/setup -- and the action could be lowered slightly depending on your playing position/methods, but overall is quite suitable.

So far, I've only found one "flaw" in the bass, the aformensioned narrow string spacing. This could be expected from a bass intended for use in metal.

This bass is extremely robust -- the finish has taken no noticable damage, nor has the sound suffered, in the -MULTIPLE- accidental collisions it's had with walls/etc. or falling on the floor -- this thing is a TANK. I've never -had- to adjust the trus rod, but I did so during the aformensioned setup.

The strap buttons lack any locking mechanism, and I find them slightly prone to slipping out. The solution would be, of course, to install straplocks. Outside of that, I would have no problem whatsoever using this bass on a gig without a backup. Chances are if I had a backup, it'd be another of the same bass.

I've e-mailed ESP a few times with rather unorthodox questions. Every question was answered courteously, if rather briefly. I've never dealt with the repair division, nor do I have any concern with the warranty given the fact I bought the bass on ebay.

I've been playing a little over a year, and as mensioned, I own a 200/300 watt stack. I bought this bass after about 6 months of research, and I honestly have to say I'm extremely satisfied. What I love the most about the bass is, in spite of it's long scale, it's extremely easy to play -- and has a sustain that continues forever. Amazing. Before purchasing this bass, I was considering an Epiphone Thunderbird -- the decision was made once I played a 5-String. As mensioned, my only complaint is the narrow string spacing, so an adjustable bridge wouldeve made this bass even better. I fully intend to keep this bass for years to come, and if it were stolen/lost, I'd definately replace it immediately.

This bass is pretty much everything I expected and more -- and would only "decrease in favor" due to it's lack of room for slapping. Everything else seems to exceed my desires.

i love the 24-fret neck, it gives be a sound that can varry from the low-B to the High High High High (yes, that's 4 High's) G. i love the tone and, reading some other reviews, i've noticed alot of people complaining about the fact that it only has one tone knob, but that is really all you need with this bass.

i love the punchy low end, and even a punchy high end. i don't know how to describe it, but the whole sound variety is awesome.

the action is perfect, and it came set up in the box. how often does that happen? not only was it set up, but the strings that came on it weren't bad at all, i didn't even change them for like 4-months. it still sounded great. and still does to this day.

this thing is a tank. my friend aciednetly smash my light fixture on my cieling by walking around, and trying to strap up, and the whole thing still payed just fine (after being cleaned of course).

haven't needed to deal with them

woth every penny and more.