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Head to head

Epiphone Futura Firebird Custom, Midnight Ember Shift vs ESP EC-1000T Ctm SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY

Epiphone Futura Firebird Custom, Midnight Ember Shift
Electric$899
No ratings yet
70Overall / 100
ESP EC-1000T Ctm SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY
Electric$1,399
No ratings yet
82Overall / 100

The verdict

The ESP EC-1000T Ctm SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY comes out ahead overall — 82 to 70 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Epiphone Futura Firebird Custom, Midnight Ember Shift wins on
  • Lower price ($899 vs $1,399)
ESP EC-1000T Ctm SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY wins on
  • Better build (93 vs 71)
  • Better playability (81 vs 67)
  • Better value (79 vs 68)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricFutura Firebird Custom, Midnight Ember ShiftEC-1000T Ctm SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY
Overall7082
Build7193
Playability6781
Sound7471
Value6879

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecFutura Firebird Custom, Midnight Ember ShiftEC-1000T Ctm SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY
BrandEpiphoneESP
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—JP
Body woodMahoganyFull Thickness + Chambered Mahogany w/ Maple Cap
Neck wood—3Pc Mahogany
FretboardEbonyMacassar Ebony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsEpiphone ProBucker Ignite / Epiphone ProBucker IgniteFishman Fluence Open Core Classic Humbucker Black *(Pull Tone for Voice 1, Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3) / Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic Humbucker Black *(Pull Tone for Voice 1, Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3)
Rating——
Price$899$1,399
BindingMulti-ply top—
Body FinishGloss—
Body shapeFirebird—
Body StylesSolidbody—
BridgeLockTone Tune-O-MaticTonePros Locking TOM & Tailpiece
Bridge pickupEpiphone ProBucker IgniteFishman Fluence Open Core Classic Humbucker Black *(Pull Tone for Voice 1, Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3)
CaseEpiphone premium gig bag includedEC GUITAR FORM FIT CASE
Control KnobsKnurled—
Controls2 volume, 2 tone with push/pull coil split and phaseActive
FinishNickelSee Thru Black Cherry
Fretboard inlaySplit-block—
Fretboard radiusCompound, 10 in. to 14 in. | 254 mm to 355.6 mm350mm
Fret Count22—
JointGlued in, set neck—
ModelEIFFBCMESNH—
Neck pickupEpiphone ProBucker IgniteFishman Fluence Open Core Classic Humbucker Black *(Pull Tone for Voice 1, Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3)
NutGraph TechMolded
Pickup Selector3-way toggle—
Plastic PartsBlack—
ProfileModern C—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in24.75"
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046—
TailpieceLockTone Stop Bar—
TunersGrover Rotomatic, lockingLTD Locking
Case Included—N
Construction—Set-Thru
Hardware—Gold
Neck profile—Thin U
Nut width—42mm
Strap Button—Standard
Top wood—Flamed Maple

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