Head to head
Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V, Purple Metallic vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
The verdict
The Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V, Purple Metallic comes out ahead overall — 69 to 65 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V, Purple Metallic wins on
- Better build (65 vs 58)
- Better sound (71 vs 60)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
- Better value (75 vs 67)
- Lower price ($195 vs $1,299)
Scorecard
| Metric | Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V, Purple Metallic | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 65 |
| Build | 65 | 58 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 71 | 60 |
| Value | 67 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V, Purple Metallic | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Basswood |
| Neck wood | One-piece Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Indian Laurel | Amaranth |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | Gibson USA Calibrated T-Type Humbucker / Gibson USA Calibrated T-Type | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,299 | $195 |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | Flying V | — |
| Body Styles | Flying V | — |
| Bridge | Custom Bridge | — |
| Bridge pickup | Gibson USA Calibrated T-Type | — |
| Case | Black Hardshell with Red Plush Interior | — |
| Control Knobs | Black Speed | — |
| Controls | 2 Volume, Master Tone, CTS Potentiometers, Orange Drop Capacitor | — |
| Finish | Nickel (Except for Strap Buttons) | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dot | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 305 mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock | Flying V | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo in Gold Hotstamp (Truss Rod Cover) | — |
| Jack Plate Cover | Black Toggle Washer (No Text) | — |
| Joint | Glued In, Set Neck | — |
| Model | EIGCKH79FVPRMNH1 | — |
| Mounting Rings | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | Gibson USA Calibrated T-Type Humbucker | — |
| Nut | Graph Tech | — |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 42 mm |
| Output Jack | Switchcraft 1/4" | — |
| Pickguard | White 70s Flying V, 3-ply | — |
| Pickup Covers | None | — |
| Pickup Selector | Switchcraft 3-way Toggle | — |
| Profile | Rounded C with Volute | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 648 mm |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Neck Heel and End of Upper Wing (Black) | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Switch Tip | Ivory | — |
| Tailpiece | LockTone Stop Bar | — |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | White 70s Flying V, 3-ply, with Epiphone Logo in Gold Hotstamp | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic with Spade Button | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |
| Neck profile | — | C |
| Top wood | — | Imitation rosewood veneer |
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