Head to head
ESP A-430E NATURAL GLOSS vs PRS SE T40E
The verdict
The ESP A-430E NATURAL GLOSS comes out ahead overall — 82 to 66 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP A-430E NATURAL GLOSS wins on
- Better build (96 vs 67)
- Better playability (78 vs 62)
- Better value (81 vs 66)
PRS SE T40E wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | A-430E NATURAL GLOSS | SE T40E |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 66 |
| Build | 96 | 67 |
| Playability | 78 | 62 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 81 | 66 |
Full specifications
| Spec | A-430E NATURAL GLOSS | SE T40E |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | PRS |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Rosewood | Ovangkol |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Roasted Jatoba | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.3" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | Fishman GT1 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | — | — |
| Bridge | Roasted Jatoba Bridge w/ Graphtech Nubone Saddle | — |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Case | - | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Neck | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Natural Gloss | — |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 11.81" |
| Hardware | Gold | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Wide Fat |
| Nut | Graphtech Nubone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43mm | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 25.3” |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Tuners | LTD | PRS-Designed |
| Acoustic Saddle | — | Bone |
| Acoustic Strings | — | .012-.053 |
| Body Binding | — | Cream |
| Body Depth At Neck Block | — | 3 19/32” |
| Body Depth At Tail Block | — | 4 3/8” |
| Body Purfling | — | Tiger Acrylic |
| Body shape | — | Tonare Parlor |
| Bracing | — | PRS Hybrid “X”/Classical Bracing |
| Bridge Wood | — | Ebony |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Birds |
| Included Accessories | — | Hardshell Case |
| Middle Wood | — | Ovangkol |
| Neck Depth At The Nut | — | 7/8” |
| Rosette | — | Tiger Acrylic, Cream/Black |
| Strength Truss Rod | — | Adjustable |
| String Spacing | — | 2 7/32” |
| Width Of Fretboard At The Body | — | 2 9/32" |
| Width Of Fretboard At The Nut | — | 1 11/16" |