Head to head
Epiphone Futura RD Custom, Midnight Ember Shift vs ESP M-1000HT Black Natural Fade
The verdict
The ESP M-1000HT Black Natural Fade comes out ahead overall — 82 to 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Futura RD Custom, Midnight Ember Shift wins on
- Lower price ($899 vs $1,399)
ESP M-1000HT Black Natural Fade wins on
- Better build (93 vs 71)
- Better playability (81 vs 64)
- Better value (79 vs 67)
Scorecard
| Metric | Futura RD Custom, Midnight Ember Shift | M-1000HT Black Natural Fade |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 82 |
| Build | 71 | 93 |
| Playability | 64 | 81 |
| Sound | 74 | 71 |
| Value | 67 | 79 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Futura RD Custom, Midnight Ember Shift | M-1000HT Black Natural Fade |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | — | 3Pc Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Macassar Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Epiphone ProBucker Ignite / Epiphone ProBucker Ignite | Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Alnico Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) / Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Ceramic Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $899 | $1,399 |
| Binding | Multi-ply top and headstock | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | RD | — |
| Body Styles | Solidbody | — |
| Bridge | LockTone Tune-O-Matic | Hipshot Fixed w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | Epiphone ProBucker Ignite | Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Ceramic Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) |
| Case | Epiphone premium gig bag included | MH Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Control Knobs | Knurled | — |
| Controls | 2 volume, 2 tone with push/pull coil split and phase | Active |
| Finish | Nickel | Black Natural Fade |
| Fretboard inlay | Split-block | — |
| Fretboard radius | Compound, 10 in. to 14 in. | 254 mm to 355.6 mm | 300-400mm Compound |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Joint | Glued in, set neck | — |
| Model | EIFRDCMESNH | — |
| Neck pickup | Epiphone ProBucker Ignite | Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Alnico Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) |
| Nut | Graph Tech | Molded |
| Pickup Covers | Nickel | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way toggle | — |
| Plastic Parts | Black | — |
| Profile | Modern C | — |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 25.5" |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Tailpiece | LockTone Stop Bar | — |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic, locking | LTD Locking |
| Case Included | — | N |
| Construction | — | Neck-Thru |
| Hardware | — | Black |
| Neck profile | — | Extra Thin U |
| Nut width | — | 43mm |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |
| Top wood | — | Burled Poplar |