Head to head
Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker E1, Ebony vs Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit DC Style
The verdict
The Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker E1, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 70 to 65 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker E1, Ebony wins on
- Better playability (75 vs 67)
- Better sound (68 vs 63)
- Better value (80 vs 75)
Harley Benton Electric Guitar Kit DC Style wins on
- Lower price ($108 vs $145)
Scorecard
| Metric | Les Paul Melody Maker E1, Ebony | Electric Guitar Kit DC Style |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 65 |
| Build | 61 | 58 |
| Playability | 75 | 67 |
| Sound | 68 | 63 |
| Value | 80 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Les Paul Melody Maker E1, Ebony | Electric Guitar Kit DC Style |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Poplar | Okoume (wood colour may vary) |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Laurel |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.72" |
| Pickups | Epiphone 650SCR Ceramic Single-Coil / Epiphone 700SCT Ceramic Single-Coil | 2 Humbuckers |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $145 | $108 |
| Binding | None | — |
| Body shape | Les Paul | — |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | — |
| Bridge | Epiphone Lighting Bar Compensated Wrap Around | — |
| Bridge pickup | Epiphone 700SCT Ceramic Single-Coil | — |
| Case | Optional Solid body Electric Guitar Gig bag 940-XEGIG. Les Paul Hard Case 940-ENLPCS, or Les Paul EpiLite™ Case 940-ENLPHG | — |
| Control Knobs | Black ABS “Top Hat” knobs | — |
| Controls | Master Volume, Master Tone | — |
| Finish | Nickel | Natural |
| Fretboard inlay | Dot | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | — |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock | Epiphone Clipped Ear; Les Paul Model in gold; Epiphone logo in silver | — |
| Joint | Bolt-on | — |
| Model | ENOLEBCH1 | — |
| Neck pickup | Epiphone 650SCR Ceramic Single-Coil | — |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 42 mm |
| Pickguard | White SL style | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way Toggle Switch | — |
| Profile | 60s SlimTaper D | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628 mm |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Bottom and shoulder | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Switch Tip | Black | — |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | Bell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White); Blank | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Note | — | A certain degree of craftsmanship is a requirement for successful assembly, as is initial experience with lacquer work. |