Skip to content
GuitarBase
Head to head

Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, Exclusive vs ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle

Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, Exclusive
Electric$1,299
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle
Electric$1,499
No ratings yet
85Overall / 100

The verdict

The ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle comes out ahead overall — 85 to 68 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, Exclusive wins on
  • Lower price ($1,299 vs $1,499)
ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle wins on
  • Better build (93 vs 65)
  • Better playability (84 vs 75)
  • Better sound (77 vs 68)
  • Better value (82 vs 66)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricTak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, ExclusiveEC-1000 Granite Sparkle
Overall6885
Build6593
Playability7584
Sound6877
Value6682

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecTak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, ExclusiveEC-1000 Granite Sparkle
BrandEpiphoneESP
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—JP
Body woodMahoganyMahogany
Neck woodOne Piece Mahogany3Pc Mahogany
FretboardLaurelMacassar Ebony
Strings66
Frets2224
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5 / Gibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Alnico Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) / Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Ceramic Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)
Rating——
Price$1,299$1,499
BindingSingle-ply, Top and Fretboard—
Body FinishGloss—
Body shapeLes Paul—
Body StylesLes Paul—
BridgeGibson Historic Wraparound with Intonation Set ScrewsTonePros Locking TOM & Tailpiece
Bridge pickupGibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Ceramic Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)
CaseVintage-style Brown/Pink Hardshell with Inspired by Gibson Logo and Tak Signature ReproductionEC GUITAR FORM FIT CASE
Control CoversBrown—
Control KnobsGold Speed—
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone; 50s-era Wiring with CTS Potentiometers and Luxe Grey Tiger Paper in Oil CapacitorsVolume/Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch
FinishNickelGranite Sparkle
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl Trapezoid—
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in350mm
Fret Count22—
HeadstockGibson Open Book, Inspired by Gibson Custom Double Diamond Logo on Rear—
Headstock InlayEpiphone Logo in Mother of Pearl (Aged and Set Slightly Lower), Les Paul Model Gold Silkscreen—
Jack Plate CoverNickel Plated Metal—
JointGlued In, Set Neck; Long Tenon—
ModelECTM55AGNH3—
Mounting RingsCream—
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Alnico Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)
NutGraph TechMolded
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42mm
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft—
Pickguard1959 Les Paul, Cream, No Bevel—
Pickup CoversNickel—
Pickup Selector3-way Switchcraft—
ProfileCustom Tak '59 Rounded C—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in24.75"
Strap Buttons2 Pro Rock Gear Locking - Bottom and Upper Bout—
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046—
Switch TipAmber—
SwitchwasherCream with Gold Text—
Top woodMaple—
Truss rodDual Action—
Truss Rod CoverBlack 2-ply Bell, Wide White—
TunersEpiphone DeluxeLTD Locking
Case Included—N
Construction—Set-Thru
Hardware—Black
Neck profile—Thin U
Strap Button—Standard

More Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, Exclusive comparisons