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MGR/Koushaku « ESP B105 5 String »
Published on 07/19/04 at 15:00I had been looking to purchase a bass guitar for awhile. I was inspired by some of my favorite heavy metal and funk bassists...meaning, I needed something with versatility...and I wanted it to be a 5-string. I started looking around local stores, and when I saw this model, I knew it was what I wanted. I had to drive some extra distance to a store that had it, but it was worth it. At the time, I did not have as much knowledge about bass guitars as I do now, but after playing my friend's Squier Affinity P-bass and my other friend's Ibanez GSR200(both suggested beginner's models) I knew I had done the right thing to pay the extra $70 for this ESP. It cost me around $280.
I have played this bass for over a year and a half now, it has endured practices 1-3 times a week and gigs at major clubs. The only problem I have had is I needed to replace the wires in my input(which is half my fault for trying to fix it myself) and that only cost $20 to get repaired. It is very endurable, which is definitely a good thing since I am not one of those people who obsesses over the proper care of my instruments all the time.
The bass itself never hums, buzzes, or makes any unwanted sound (unlike some of those other "beginner's" models.) It sounds good whether it is through a 20w practice amp, a 100w pa amp, or my Ampeg 350w head and 800w 4x10 cab half-stack. The strings are a good spacing apart, and in my experiences, just as easy to handle as any four string bass would be. The four knobs allow me to twiddle away the sound I want, which I enjoy because I love to play around with my sound from one song to the next. Usually there are not this many controls at this price range, but I love having them. If all you want is one same old sound, then this may not be the right bass for you, but I think it is better to have a series of unique tones.
There is not much for me to dislike. I have always been a little suspicious of ESP guitars, sometimes their sound is too clean for me and lacking the interesting tones other guitars have. Still, you will not find better quality and sound from a bass in this price range, under $300. I love my bass, and even after I upgrade to a more expensive model, this will stand by as my backup.
This bass has two passive humbucking pickups(which I think give it a better sound than just a split coil like the Squier Affinity, or the J/P configuration of the Ibanez GSR200). The bass has four knobs to adjust volume, pickup selection(bright and clear, soft and bassy, and gritty, loud sounds) and two knobs to adjust tone. This gives you the ability to change your sound through your bass immensely, and quickly, from one moment to the next. 24 frets for a full two-octave range on each string. Quality strings that I still play on. Bolt-on neck with 6 bolts for extra sturdiness.
If you're a beginning bassist, go for this model, especially if you want to learn the 5 string. This model would also make a great second bass for a more experienced bassist who wants a bass they can depend upon (without spending upwards of $500 on it). It has served me well, and gave me no problems that I didn't ask for. Everything still plays good, sounds good, and looks good after a year and a half of almost constant moving, bumping, and driving around.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
I have played this bass for over a year and a half now, it has endured practices 1-3 times a week and gigs at major clubs. The only problem I have had is I needed to replace the wires in my input(which is half my fault for trying to fix it myself) and that only cost $20 to get repaired. It is very endurable, which is definitely a good thing since I am not one of those people who obsesses over the proper care of my instruments all the time.
The bass itself never hums, buzzes, or makes any unwanted sound (unlike some of those other "beginner's" models.) It sounds good whether it is through a 20w practice amp, a 100w pa amp, or my Ampeg 350w head and 800w 4x10 cab half-stack. The strings are a good spacing apart, and in my experiences, just as easy to handle as any four string bass would be. The four knobs allow me to twiddle away the sound I want, which I enjoy because I love to play around with my sound from one song to the next. Usually there are not this many controls at this price range, but I love having them. If all you want is one same old sound, then this may not be the right bass for you, but I think it is better to have a series of unique tones.
There is not much for me to dislike. I have always been a little suspicious of ESP guitars, sometimes their sound is too clean for me and lacking the interesting tones other guitars have. Still, you will not find better quality and sound from a bass in this price range, under $300. I love my bass, and even after I upgrade to a more expensive model, this will stand by as my backup.
This bass has two passive humbucking pickups(which I think give it a better sound than just a split coil like the Squier Affinity, or the J/P configuration of the Ibanez GSR200). The bass has four knobs to adjust volume, pickup selection(bright and clear, soft and bassy, and gritty, loud sounds) and two knobs to adjust tone. This gives you the ability to change your sound through your bass immensely, and quickly, from one moment to the next. 24 frets for a full two-octave range on each string. Quality strings that I still play on. Bolt-on neck with 6 bolts for extra sturdiness.
If you're a beginning bassist, go for this model, especially if you want to learn the 5 string. This model would also make a great second bass for a more experienced bassist who wants a bass they can depend upon (without spending upwards of $500 on it). It has served me well, and gave me no problems that I didn't ask for. Everything still plays good, sounds good, and looks good after a year and a half of almost constant moving, bumping, and driving around.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com