NBD: LTD B-205SM Fretless

nickpc

nickpc

Jul 23, 2012
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#1
So I backed myself into a corner a few weeks ago - I committed I'd only play 5-stringers for 3 months to really get myself comfortable on them (Thread here). Well, what I missed the most from my 4s was playing around on my cheap Squier VM Fretless. It really seems like that is helping develop my ear, and I didn't want to delay that, right?

So, without even having to consult TB, I solved that problem by buying a new 5-string fretless (really - would anyone here have recommended doing anything different???)

So I'm now the proud owner of a LTD B-205SM Fretless (Specs here):

I got it as Used/B-Stock from Music-Go-Round. And, as is often the case, I can't find why it got B-Stocked.

And yes, I have the "new bass joy" so playing is like a dream, so I'll just hit the important stuff:
  • The neck is REALLY comfortable. Butter and all that, but it really fits my left hand extremely well
  • Preamp doesn't seem too "powerful" - the boost/cut isn't extreme, more subtle, but has enough range to be effective
  • "LTD is for Metal" - not in this case. Maybe that's just the fretless, but it's sounding really nice playing Praise music and 80's New Wave (that's as far as I've gotten).
  • The rounds on it are going to go this weekend - I have some EB Group 5 Flats (2810s) to swap on
  • B-string is nice, not floppy. Hopefully that stays consistent with the flats
  • The %*& "USED" stamp into the wood on the back of the headstock really annoys the $#&* out of me. I know why they do that for B-Stock, but it's still annoying.

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Very pretty piece of wood here!
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Not a bad back-side, either!
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Why Rounds, LTD? Why?
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Even the headstock Spalted Maple is gorgeous!
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The dog, however, is not impressed...
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#3
Just to document it, the LTD BB605 Bridge doesn't handle a .130 string. The stock strings are D'Addario XL .045/.065/.085/.105/.125 (which isn't a stock set from D'Addario...), so the closest flats I can find are the LaBella LTF-5As (.042/.056/.075/.100/.118). Hopefully the "Molded" nut will handle that OK - the D and G strings were pretty tight in the nut slot.

Yeah, the "new bass joy" came off as fast as the original strings did...
 
#5
I have the exact same bass... and agree with everything you've said. Bought mine in August of '19. I tried LaBella gold nylon tapewound and they didn't fit very well for me and my ears. I'd like to try some Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on it. Right now I have Dunlop Super Bright Nickels on it and those strings brought the bass to life. I concur on the "mellow" preamp. I discovered by cranking the bass, mid and treble knobs to 10... I can get the same output I get on my Ibanez Soundgears with growl and punch. The ESP pickups sound a lot like the Barts in Soundgears, in my opinion.

Here's my ESP LTD fretless 5 with Sire Marcus Miller V5 fretless.......

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