Head to head
ESP EC-1000 Lh Vintage Black vs ESP TL-12 Black
The verdict
The ESP EC-1000 Lh Vintage Black comes out ahead overall — 82 to 79 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP EC-1000 Lh Vintage Black wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
ESP TL-12 Black wins on
- Lower price ($719 vs $1,099)
Scorecard
| Metric | EC-1000 Lh Vintage Black | TL-12 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 79 |
| Build | 93 | 91 |
| Playability | 84 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 79 | 81 |
Full specifications
| Spec | EC-1000 Lh Vintage Black | TL-12 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Mahogany | 3Pc Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 11 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25" |
| Pickups | EMG 60 Black / EMG 81 Black | Fishman S-Core Pickup |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,099 | $719 |
| Bridge | TonePros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | Jatoba w/ Graphtech Nubone XB Saddle |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 81 Black | Fishman S-Core Pickup |
| Case | EC Guitar Form Fit Case | Thinline Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Case Included | N | N |
| Construction | Set-Thru | Set-Neck |
| Controls | Active | Active |
| Finish | Vintage Black | Black |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350mm |
| Hardware | Gold | Chrome |
| Neck pickup | EMG 60 Black | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Molded | Graph Tech Nubone XB |
| Nut width | 42mm | 48mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 25" |
| Strap Button | Standard | Standard |
| Tuners | LTD Locking | Grover |
| Top wood | — | Spruce |