Head to head
Epiphone IGC 1959 Les Paul Standard, Tobacco Burst vs ESP M-1000HT Black Natural Fade
The verdict
The ESP M-1000HT Black Natural Fade comes out ahead overall — 82 to 68 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone IGC 1959 Les Paul Standard, Tobacco Burst wins on
- Lower price ($899 vs $1,399)
ESP M-1000HT Black Natural Fade wins on
- Better build (93 vs 65)
- Better playability (81 vs 75)
- Better value (79 vs 66)
Scorecard
| Metric | IGC 1959 Les Paul Standard, Tobacco Burst | M-1000HT Black Natural Fade |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 68 | 82 |
| Build | 65 | 93 |
| Playability | 75 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 71 |
| Value | 66 | 79 |
Full specifications
| Spec | IGC 1959 Les Paul Standard, Tobacco Burst | M-1000HT Black Natural Fade |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | One Piece Mahogany | 3Pc Maple |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Macassar Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Gibson Custombucker / Gibson Custombucker | 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 | Single-ply, Top and Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Polyurethane VOS | — |
| Body shape | Les Paul | — |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | — |
| Bridge | ABR-1 | Hipshot Fixed w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | Gibson Custombucker | Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Ceramic Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) |
| Case | Hardshell with Brown Exterior, Pink Interior, and Inspired by Gibson Custom Graphics | MH Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Control Covers | Black; Inspired by Gibson Custom Logo in Gold | — |
| Control Knobs | Gold Top Hat with Nickel-plated Dial Pointer | — |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 2 Tone; CTS Potentiometers, Mallory Capacitors, 50s Wiring | Active |
| Finish | Nickel | Black Natural Fade |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Trapezoid | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 300-400mm Compound |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock | Gibson Open Book R9-style with Inspired by Gibson Custom Double Diamond Etched on the Back, Below the Serial Number | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Jack Plate Cover | Cream Plastic, Square | — |
| Joint | Glued In, Set Neck; Long Tenon | — |
| Model | ECLPS59TBVNH1 | — |
| Mounting Rings | Cream | — |
| Neck pickup | Gibson Custombucker | Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Alnico Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) |
| Nut | Graph Tech | Molded |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43mm |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Switchcraft | — |
| Pickguard | Cream, No Bevel | — |
| Pickup Covers | Nickel | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way Switchcraft | — |
| Profile | 1959 Rounded Medium C | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 25.5" |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Bottom and Shoulder | — |
| String gauges | .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046 | — |
| Switch Tip | Amber | — |
| Switchwasher | Cream with Gold Text | — |
| Tailpiece | Gibson Historic Reissue Stop Bar | — |
| Top wood | Maple with AAA Flame Maple Veneer | Burled Poplar |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black; Blank, Wide White | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Epiphone Deluxe with Keystone Buttons | LTD Locking |
| Case Included | — | N |
| Construction | — | Neck-Thru |
| Hardware | — | Black |
| Neck profile | — | Extra Thin U |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |