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Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, Exclusive vs ESP TH-1000 Evertune See Thru Black Sunburst

Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, Exclusive
Electric$1,299
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
ESP TH-1000 Evertune See Thru Black Sunburst
Electric$1,699
No ratings yet
85Overall / 100

The verdict

The ESP TH-1000 Evertune See Thru Black Sunburst 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 $1,699)
ESP TH-1000 Evertune See Thru Black Sunburst wins on
  • Better build (97 vs 65)
  • Better playability (81 vs 75)
  • Better sound (77 vs 68)
  • Better value (82 vs 66)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricTak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, ExclusiveTH-1000 Evertune See Thru Black Sunburst
Overall6885
Build6597
Playability7581
Sound6877
Value6682

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecTak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, ExclusiveTH-1000 Evertune See Thru Black Sunburst
BrandEpiphoneESP
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—JP
Body woodMahoganySwamp Ash
Neck woodOne Piece Mahogany3Pc Roasted Maple
FretboardLaurelMacassar Ebony
Strings66
Frets2224
Scale24.75"25.5"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5 / Gibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 3-Voice Humbucker Direct-Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2) / Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 3-Voice Humbucker Direct-Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)
Rating——
Price$1,299$1,699
BindingSingle-ply, Top and Fretboard—
Body FinishGloss—
Body shapeLes Paul—
Body StylesLes Paul—
BridgeGibson Historic Wraparound with Intonation Set ScrewsEverTune
Bridge pickupGibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 3-Voice Humbucker Direct-Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)
CaseVintage-style Brown/Pink Hardshell with Inspired by Gibson Logo and Tak Signature ReproductionST-1 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(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch
FinishNickelSee Thru Black Sunburst
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 5Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil 3-Voice Humbucker Direct-Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)
NutGraph TechBlack Bone
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 / 24.75in25.5"
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 woodMapleFlamed Maple
Truss rodDual Action—
Truss Rod CoverBlack 2-ply Bell, Wide White—
TunersEpiphone DeluxeLTD Locking
Case Included—N
Construction—Bolt-On
Hardware—Black
Neck profile—Thin U
Strap Button—Standard

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