Head to head
Epiphone Alex Lifeson Les Paul Custom Axcess, Ruby vs ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic
The verdict
The Epiphone Alex Lifeson Les Paul Custom Axcess, Ruby comes out ahead overall — 69 to 66 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Alex Lifeson Les Paul Custom Axcess, Ruby wins on
- Better sound (74 vs 68)
- Lower price ($1,299 vs $1,699)
ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | Alex Lifeson Les Paul Custom Axcess, Ruby | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 66 |
| Build | 61 | 61 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 74 | 68 |
| Value | 67 | 64 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Alex Lifeson Les Paul Custom Axcess, Ruby | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Macassar Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Epiphone Ceramic Pro / Epiphone Probucker 3 | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) / Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,299 | $1,699 |
| Binding | Mult-ply Top & Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | Les Paul | — |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | — |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose 1000 | Floyd Rose 1000SE |
| Bridge pickup | Epiphone Probucker 3 | Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Case | Hardshell Case | ST-TE Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Control Covers | Black | — |
| Control Knobs | Black Top Hat | — |
| Controls | 2 Push/Pull Volume (coil-split), 1 Push/Pull Neck Tone (Up Position Phase), 1 Standard Bridge Tone | Passive |
| Finish | Gold | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic |
| Fretboard inlay | Large Block | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 305mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock | Kalamazoo | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Custom Split Diamond | — |
| Joint | Glued In, Set Neck, Axcess Contour Heel | — |
| Model | EILPACQALRUBGH1 | — |
| Mounting Rings | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | Epiphone Ceramic Pro | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) |
| Nut | Floyd Rose R4 Locking Nut (Gold) | Locking |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43mm nut / 45mm neck width |
| Output Jack | 1/4" | — |
| Pickguard | None | — |
| Pickup Covers | Gold | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way Toggle | — |
| Profile | Rounded | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 25.5" |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Switch Tip | White | — |
| Switchwasher | Black with Gold Text | — |
| Top wood | AAAA Quilt Maple Veneer | — |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply, Short Bell with Alex Lifeson Signature | — |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | — |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | LTD |
| Case Included | — | Y |
| Construction | — | Bolt-On |
| Hardware | — | Black |
| Neck profile | — | GL Original U |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |
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