Head to head
Epiphone Les Paul Special-II E1, Vintage Sunburst vs ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic
The verdict
The Epiphone Les Paul Special-II E1, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 71 to 66 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Les Paul Special-II E1, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better value (81 vs 64)
- Lower price ($219 vs $1,699)
ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | Les Paul Special-II E1, Vintage Sunburst | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 71 | 66 |
| Build | 61 | 61 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 71 | 68 |
| Value | 81 | 64 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Les Paul Special-II E1, Vintage Sunburst | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Macassar Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Epiphone 650R Humbucker / Epiphone 700T Humbucker | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) / Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $219 | $1,699 |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | Les Paul | — |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | — |
| Bridge | Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic | Floyd Rose 1000SE |
| Bridge pickup | Epiphone 700T Humbucker | Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) |
| Case | Optional Les Paul EpiLite Case (940-ENLPHG) or Les Paul Hardshell Case (940-ENLPCS) | ST-TE Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Control Covers | Black | — |
| Control Knobs | Gold Speed Knobs | — |
| Controls | Master Volume, Master Tone | Passive |
| Finish | Nickel | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic |
| Fretboard inlay | Dot | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 305mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock | Epiphone Compact Clipped Dovewing | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone logo in Silver Silkscreen, Special Model gold decal. | — |
| Jack Plate Cover | Black Plastic Square Plate | — |
| Joint | Bolt-On | — |
| Model | ENJRVSCH1 | — |
| Mounting Rings | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | Epiphone 650R Humbucker | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) |
| Nut | PVC | Locking |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43mm nut / 45mm neck width |
| Output Jack | 1/4" | — |
| Pickguard | Cream | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way Epiphone Toggle | — |
| Profile | SlimTaper C | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 25.5" |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Bottom and Shoulder | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Switch Tip | Black | — |
| Switchwasher | Black | — |
| Tailpiece | Epiphone LockTone Stop Bar | — |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black Bell | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Premium Die Cast 14:1 Ratio | LTD |
| Case Included | — | Y |
| Construction | — | Bolt-On |
| Hardware | — | Black |
| Neck profile | — | GL Original U |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |