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Head to head

ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle vs Gibson Tony Iommi "Monkey" SG Special, Left-Handed, Vintage Cherry

ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle
Electric$1,499
No ratings yet
85Overall / 100
Gibson Tony Iommi "Monkey" SG Special, Left-Handed, Vintage Cherry
Electric$2,399
No ratings yet
76Overall / 100

The verdict

The ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle comes out ahead overall — 85 to 76 on our estimated score.

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

ESP EC-1000 Granite Sparkle wins on
  • Better playability (84 vs 75)
  • Better sound (77 vs 68)
  • Better value (82 vs 66)
  • Lower price ($1,499 vs $2,399)
Gibson Tony Iommi "Monkey" SG Special, Left-Handed, Vintage Cherry wins on

No standout advantage.

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricEC-1000 Granite SparkleTony Iommi "Monkey" SG Special, Left-Handed, Vintage Cherry
Overall8576
Build9391
Playability8475
Sound7768
Value8266

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecEC-1000 Granite SparkleTony Iommi "Monkey" SG Special, Left-Handed, Vintage Cherry
BrandESPGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryJPUS
Body woodMahoganyMahogany
Neck wood3Pc MahoganyMahogany
FretboardMacassar EbonyIndian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2422
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsFishman 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)P-90 / P-90
Rating——
Price$1,499$2,399
BridgeTonePros Locking TOM & TailpieceAdjustable Wraparound
Bridge pickupFishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Ceramic Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)P-90
CaseEC GUITAR FORM FIT CASEHardshell
Case IncludedN—
ConstructionSet-Thru—
ControlsVolume/Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch2 Volume, 2 Tone, hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors
FinishGranite SparkleChrome
Fretboard radius350mm304.8mm / 12.0in
HardwareBlack—
Neck pickupFishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Alnico Black Nickel Direct-Mount *(Pull Neck Volume for Voice 3 / Pull Tone for Voice 2)P-90
Neck profileThin U—
NutMoldedWhite Graph Tech
Nut width42mm43.05mm / 1.7in
Scale length24.75"628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap ButtonStandard—
TunersLTD LockingGrover Rotomatic with Contemporary Style Buttons
Accessories—Monkey sticker in case
Body Finish—Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shape—SG
Body Styles—SG
Control Covers—Black
Control Knobs—Black Witch Hats with Silver Inserts
Fretboard inlay—Acrylic Dots
Fret Count—22
Headstock Inlay—Gibson logo in Mother of Pearl
Joint—Glued in
Model—SGTI21LVECH1
Output Jack—1/4"
Pickguard—Black multi-ply
Pickup Covers—Chrome
Pickup Selector—3-way Toggle Switch
Profile—Rounded
Strap Buttons—2 - bottom and behind heel
String gauges—.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch Tip—Black
Switchwasher—Blank Black
Truss rod—Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover—Black
Tuner Plating—Chrome

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