Head to head
ESP EC-1000 Lh Vintage Black vs Fender Stratocaster
The verdict
The ESP EC-1000 Lh Vintage Black comes out ahead overall — 82 to 71 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 build (93 vs 87)
- Better playability (84 vs 64)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (79 vs 67)
Fender Stratocaster wins on
- Lower price ($800 vs $1,099)
Scorecard
| Metric | EC-1000 Lh Vintage Black | Stratocaster |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 71 |
| Build | 93 | 87 |
| Playability | 84 | 64 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 79 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | EC-1000 Lh Vintage Black | Stratocaster |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Fender |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | 1954 |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Maple |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | EMG 60 Black / EMG 81 Black | SSS single-coil |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,099 | $800 – $2,500 |
| Bridge | TonePros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | Tremolo (6-screw) |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 81 Black | — |
| Case | EC Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Vintage Black | — |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | — |
| Hardware | Gold | — |
| Neck pickup | EMG 60 Black | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | — |
| Scale length | 24.75" | — |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD Locking | — |
| Body shape | — | Double cutaway |
| Weight | — | 3.6 kg |