Head to head
Epiphone IGC 1963 Firebird I Reissue, Cardinal Red vs ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic
The verdict
The Epiphone IGC 1963 Firebird I Reissue, Cardinal Red and ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic are closely matched overall — 67 to 66 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone IGC 1963 Firebird I Reissue, Cardinal Red wins on
- Lower price ($1,299 vs $1,699)
ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 63)
Scorecard
| Metric | IGC 1963 Firebird I Reissue, Cardinal Red | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 67 | 66 |
| Build | 65 | 61 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 63 | 68 |
| Value | 65 | 64 |
Full specifications
| Spec | IGC 1963 Firebird I Reissue, Cardinal Red | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany (Wings) | Alder |
| Neck wood | 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut | Maple |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Macassar Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnets | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) / Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,299 | $1,699 |
| Body Finish | Vintage Gloss | — |
| Body shape | Firebird | — |
| Body Styles | Firebird | — |
| Bridge | Wraparound Lightning Bar | Floyd Rose 1000SE |
| Bridge pickup | Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnets | Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Case | Inspired by Gibson Custom Hardshell | ST-TE Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Control Covers | Black with Silver Inspired by Gibson Custom Logo Hotstamp | — |
| Control Knobs | Black Top Hat with Reflector | — |
| Controls | Master Volume, Master Tone, Hand-wired with CTS Potentiometers and a Mallory Capacitor | Passive |
| Finish | Nickel | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dot | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 305mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Modern Epiphone Logo in Gold (on Truss Rod Cover) | — |
| Joint | Neck-Through-Body Construction | — |
| Model | ECFIR3CRNH1 | — |
| Mounting Rings | Nickel | — |
| Nut | Graph Tech | Locking |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43mm nut / 45mm neck width |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Switchcraft | — |
| Pickguard | 3-ply White; Firebird Logo Hotstamp in Red | — |
| Pickup Covers | Nickel | — |
| Profile | 1963 Firebird | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 25.5" |
| Strap Buttons | 3 - Bottom, Shoulder, and Neck Heel - Historic Firebird Strap Button Placement Locations | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | Single Ply Black with Epiphone Logo in Gold | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Kluson Banjo-style Planetary | LTD |
| Case Included | — | Y |
| Construction | — | Bolt-On |
| Hardware | — | Black |
| Neck pickup | — | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) |
| Neck profile | — | GL Original U |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |
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