Head to head
Epiphone Power Players Les Paul, Dark Matter Ebony vs ESP M-200DX Blue Burst
The verdict
The ESP M-200DX Blue Burst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 70 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Power Players Les Paul, Dark Matter Ebony wins on
- Lower price ($279 vs $399)
ESP M-200DX Blue Burst wins on
- Better build (87 vs 61)
- Better playability (81 vs 72)
Scorecard
| Metric | Power Players Les Paul, Dark Matter Ebony | M-200DX Blue Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 80 |
| Build | 61 | 87 |
| Playability | 72 | 81 |
| Sound | 71 | 68 |
| Value | 80 | 83 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Power Players Les Paul, Dark Matter Ebony | M-200DX Blue Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Poplar |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Roasted Maple |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Scale | 22.73" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Epiphone 650R Humbucker / Epiphone 700T Humbucker | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) / ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $279 | $399 |
| Accessories | Strap, Picks, and Guitar Cord | — |
| Binding | Single-ply, Top and Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | Les Paul | — |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | — |
| Bridge | Lightning Bar Compensated Wrap Around | TOM w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | Epiphone 700T Humbucker | ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) |
| Case | Gig Bag | MH Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Control Covers | Black | — |
| Control Knobs | Gold Reflector | — |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 2 Tone | Passive |
| Finish | Nickel | Blue Burst |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Trapezoid | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 350mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone logo Silver Decal, Les Paul Model in Gold | — |
| Jack Plate Cover | Cream Plastic | — |
| Joint | Bolt-on with Sculpted Heel and Ferrule Inserts | — |
| Model | ES1PPLPEBNH3 | — |
| Mounting Rings | Cream | — |
| Neck pickup | Epiphone 650R Humbucker | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) |
| Nut | White Plastic | Molded |
| Nut width | 41.0mm / 1.61in | 43mm |
| Output Jack | 1/4" | — |
| Pickup Covers | Nickel | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way Toggle | — |
| Profile | SlimTaper D | — |
| Scale length | 577.34mm / 22.73in | 25.5" |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Bottom and Shoulder | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Switch Tip | Cream | — |
| Switchwasher | Cream with Gold Text | — |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black Bell | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Die Cast with Kidney Buttons | LTD |
| Case Included | — | N |
| Construction | — | Bolt-On |
| Hardware | — | Black |
| Neck profile | — | Thin U |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |
| Top wood | — | Poplar Burl |