Head to head
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst vs Gibson Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony
The verdict
The Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst and Gibson Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony are closely matched overall — 74 to 75 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst wins on
- Better sound (74 vs 68)
- Better value (71 vs 65)
- Lower price ($1,199 vs $8,999)
Gibson Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony wins on
- Better build (87 vs 71)
Scorecard
| Metric | Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst | Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 75 |
| Build | 71 | 87 |
| Playability | 78 | 75 |
| Sound | 74 | 68 |
| Value | 71 | 65 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst | Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | One Piece Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | One Piece Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.72" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Neck / Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Bridge | T-Type / T-Type |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,199 | $8,999 |
| Body Finish | Aged Gloss | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Les Paul | Les Paul |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | Les Paul |
| Bridge | Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic | Fishman Powerbridge |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Bridge | T-Type |
| Case | Premium Gig Bag | Gibson Deluxe Protector Case |
| Control Covers | Black; PVC, back plate with battery compartment | Custom Shop Medallion and Black |
| Control Knobs | Knurled Metal : Brushed Nickel | Black Speed |
| Controls | 2 Volume (push/pull coil splits); 2 Tone (push/pull Vintage/Modern pickup) | 2 Volume (for Neck and Bridge Pickups), Master Tone, Fishman Powerbridge Volume |
| End Of Board Width | 57.35mm / 2.26in | 52.37mm / 2.06in |
| Finish | Brushed Nickel | Black |
| Fretboard inlay | Block and Triangle; Abalone compliments body color | Mother of Pearl Custom Block |
| Fretboard radius | 305.0mm / 12.01in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 24 | 22 |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Modern Epiphone in Mother of Pearl; Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl | Gibson Logo and Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl |
| Jack Plate Cover | Brushed Nickel | Black |
| Joint | Glued-In, Set Neck | Glued In, Set Neck; Long Neck Tenon |
| Model | EILPYABTBN1 | CSKH89LPCEBBC1 |
| Mounting Rings | Black; PVC | Black |
| Neck pickup | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Neck | T-Type |
| Nut | Graph Tech NuBone XL Black | Corian |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 42.85mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | Epiphone Heavy Duty 1/4" | 1/4" |
| Pickguard | None | — |
| Pickup Covers | Brushed Nickel | None |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way toggle switch, Epiphone all-metal | 3-way Toggle |
| Plastic Parts | Black; PVC | — |
| Profile | Asymmetrical SlimTaper | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | Brushed Nickel | — |
| Scale length | 628.0mm / 24.72in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Buttons | PosiLok Strap Buttons | 2 - Black Schaller S-Lock - Locking Strap Buttons in the Case |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | Black Cap | Black |
| Switchwasher | None | Black with Gold Hot Stamp |
| Tailpiece | Epiphone LockTone Stop Bar | Stop Bar |
| Top wood | Carved Hard Maple Cap with AAA Flame Maple Veneer | Plain Maple |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Standard |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-Ply, 3-Hole Bell | Black Molded 2-ply Bell, Hot Stamp Les Paul Custom |
| Tuner Plating | Brushed Nickel | Black |
| Tuners | Grover Locking Rotomatic | Grover Rotomatic with Kidney Buttons |
| Accessories | — | Certificate of Authenticity |
| Binding | — | 7-ply Top, 5-ply Back and Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard |
| Preamp | — | Fishman Powerchip Preamp - 9V Battery in Control Cavity |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | Fishman Powerbridge Piezo Pickup |
| Weight Relief | — | None |