Head to head
Epiphone Futura Explorer Custom, Firestorm Shift vs ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic
The verdict
The Epiphone Futura Explorer Custom, Firestorm Shift comes out ahead overall — 70 to 66 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Futura Explorer Custom, Firestorm Shift wins on
- Better build (71 vs 61)
- Better sound (74 vs 68)
- Lower price ($899 vs $1,699)
ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic wins on
- Better playability (72 vs 67)
Scorecard
| Metric | Futura Explorer Custom, Firestorm Shift | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 66 |
| Build | 71 | 61 |
| Playability | 67 | 72 |
| Sound | 74 | 68 |
| Value | 68 | 64 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Futura Explorer Custom, Firestorm Shift | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | — | Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Macassar Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Epiphone ProBucker Ignite / Epiphone ProBucker Ignite | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) / Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $899 | $1,699 |
| Binding | Multi-ply top and back | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | Explorer | — |
| Body Styles | Solidbody | — |
| Bridge | LockTone Tune-O-Matic | Floyd Rose 1000SE |
| Bridge pickup | Epiphone ProBucker Ignite | Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Case | Epiphone premium gig bag included | ST-TE Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Control Knobs | Knurled | — |
| Controls | 2 volume, 1 tone with push/pull coil split and phase | Passive |
| Finish | Nickel | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic |
| Fretboard inlay | Split-block | — |
| Fretboard radius | Compound, 10 in. to 14 in. | 254 mm to 355.6 mm | 305mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Joint | Glued in, set neck | — |
| Model | EIFEXCFSSNH | — |
| Neck pickup | Epiphone ProBucker Ignite | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) |
| Nut | Graph Tech | Locking |
| Pickup Covers | Nickel | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way toggle | — |
| Plastic Parts | Black | — |
| Profile | Modern C | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 25.5" |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Tailpiece | LockTone Stop Bar | — |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic, locking | LTD |
| Weight Relief | None | — |
| Case Included | — | Y |
| Construction | — | Bolt-On |
| Hardware | — | Black |
| Neck profile | — | GL Original U |
| Nut width | — | 43mm nut / 45mm neck width |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |