Head to head
Cort KX500 Etched vs ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic
The verdict
The Cort KX500 Etched and ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic are closely matched overall — 68 to 66 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Cort KX500 Etched wins on
- Better build (67 vs 61)
ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 63)
Scorecard
| Metric | KX500 Etched | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 68 | 66 |
| Build | 67 | 61 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 63 | 68 |
| Value | 68 | 64 |
Full specifications
| Spec | KX500 Etched | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cort | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | Maple & Purpleheart 5-ply Laminated | Maple |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Macassar Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 25.51" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Fishman® Fluence Modern Humbucker Pickup Set | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) / Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | — | $1,699 |
| Body Finish | Matte (Open Pore) | — |
| Bridge | Hardtail Bridge with String-Thru Body | Floyd Rose 1000SE |
| Colors | Etched Black (EBK) Etched Deep Violet (EDV) | — |
| Configuration | HH | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Bolt-On |
| Controls | 1-Volume, 1-Tone, 3-Way Switch | Passive |
| Fretboard radius | 15.75″ (R400) | 305mm |
| Fret Type | Medium-Jumbo (2.7×1.1), Nickel Silver | — |
| Hardware | Black Nickel | Black |
| Inlay | Tear Drop with White Side Dots | — |
| Neck Finish | Matte | — |
| Neck profile | D Shape | GL Original U |
| Neck Thickness | 1F : 19.5mm, 12F : 21.5mm | — |
| Nut | Black PPS | Locking |
| Nut width | 1 11/16″ (43mm) | 43mm nut / 45mm neck width |
| Scale length | 25.5″ (648mm) | 25.5" |
| Special | Volume Push-pull : Voice 1 (Push), Voice 2 (Pull) Tone Push-pull : Humbucker (Push), Coil-split (Pull) | — |
| Top Material | Ash Burl | — |
| Truss rod | Two-way Adjustable with Spoke-nut | — |
| Tuners | Cort® Locking Tuners | LTD |
| Bridge pickup | — | Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Case | — | ST-TE Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Case Included | — | Y |
| Finish | — | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic |
| Neck pickup | — | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |