Head to head
Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker E1, Sunset Yellow vs Harley Benton JA DIY KIT
The verdict
The Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker E1, Sunset Yellow 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, Sunset Yellow wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (80 vs 75)
Harley Benton JA DIY KIT wins on
- Lower price ($108 vs $145)
Scorecard
| Metric | Les Paul Melody Maker E1, Sunset Yellow | JA DIY KIT |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 65 |
| Build | 61 | 58 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 80 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Les Paul Melody Maker E1, Sunset Yellow | JA DIY KIT |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Poplar | Rengas (wood colour may vary) |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Maple with binding |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Laurel |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | Epiphone 650SCR Ceramic Single-Coil / Epiphone 700SCT Ceramic Single-Coil | 2 P90 Single Coils (bridge and neck) |
| 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 | Block |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 305 mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock | Epiphone Clipped Ear; Les Paul Model in gold; Epiphone logo in silver | — |
| Joint | Bolt-on | — |
| Model | ENOLSYCH1 | — |
| Neck pickup | Epiphone 650SCR Ceramic Single-Coil | — |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 42 mm (1.65") |
| Pickguard | White SL style | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way Toggle Switch | — |
| Profile | 60s SlimTaper D | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 648 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 | — | The body and neck have been primed with pore filler (suitable for varnishing, but possibly unsuitable for staining – may need to be sanded down again). A certain degree of manual skill is required for successful assembly. |