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Epiphone IGC 1963 Firebird V, Vintage Sunburst, Exclusive vs ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle

Epiphone IGC 1963 Firebird V, Vintage Sunburst, Exclusive
Electric$1,699
No ratings yet
69Overall / 100
ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle
Electric$1,499
No ratings yet
85Overall / 100

The verdict

The ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle comes out ahead overall — 85 to 69 on our estimated score.

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

Epiphone IGC 1963 Firebird V, Vintage Sunburst, Exclusive wins on

No standout advantage.

ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle wins on
  • Better build (93 vs 65)
  • Better playability (84 vs 75)
  • Better sound (77 vs 71)
  • Better value (82 vs 67)
  • Lower price ($1,499 vs $1,699)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricIGC 1963 Firebird V, Vintage Sunburst, ExclusiveEC-1000 Granite Sparkle
Overall6985
Build6593
Playability7584
Sound7177
Value6782

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecIGC 1963 Firebird V, Vintage Sunburst, ExclusiveEC-1000 Granite Sparkle
BrandEpiphoneESP
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—JP
Body wood9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-ThroughMahogany
Neck wood9-ply Mahogany/Walnut3Pc Mahogany
FretboardIndian LaurelMacassar Ebony
Strings66
Frets2224
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnet / Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 MagnetFishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Alnico Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) / Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Ceramic Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)
Rating——
Price$1,699$1,499
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Fretboard—
Body FinishGloss—
Body shapeFirebird—
Body StylesFirebird—
BridgeEpiphone ABRTonePros Locking TOM & Tailpiece
Bridge pickupGibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 MagnetFishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Ceramic Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)
CaseHardshellEC GUITAR FORM FIT CASE
Control CoversBlack with Inspired by Gibson Custom Hotstamped Logo—
Control KnobsGold with Silver Reflectors (Frost Blue) or Black with Silver Reflectors (Ember Red)—
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, Hand-wired with CTS Potentiometers and Mallory CapacitorsVolume/Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch
FinishNickelGranite Sparkle
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl Trapezoid—
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in350mm
Fret Count22—
HeadstockFirebird—
Headstock InlayModern Epiphone Logo in Gold (on Truss Rod Cover)—
JointNeck-Through-Body Construction—
ModelEIGC63FB5VSNM3—
Mounting RingsNickel—
Neck pickupGibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 MagnetFishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Alnico Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)
NutGraph TechMolded
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42mm
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft—
Pickguard3-ply White; Firebird Logo Hotstamp in Red—
Pickup Selector3-way Switchcraft—
Profile1963 Firebird—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in24.75"
SideSolid Mahogany Wings—
Strap Buttons3 - Bottom, Shoulder, and Neck Heel - Historic Firebird Strap Button Placement Locations—
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046—
Switch TipIvory—
TailpieceMaestro Vibrola—
Truss rodDual Action—
Truss Rod CoverBlack with Epiphone Logo in Gold—
Tuner PlatingNickel—
TunersKluson Banjo-style PlanetaryLTD Locking
Case Included—N
Construction—Set-Thru
Hardware—Black
Neck profile—Thin U
Strap Button—Standard

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