Head to head
ESP EC-256 Black vs ESP PHOENIX-200DX Red Burst
The verdict
The ESP EC-256 Black and ESP PHOENIX-200DX Red Burst are closely matched overall — 80 to 81 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP EC-256 Black wins on
No standout advantage.
ESP PHOENIX-200DX Red Burst wins on
- Better sound (74 vs 68)
- Lower price ($499 vs $599)
Scorecard
| Metric | EC-256 Black | PHOENIX-200DX Red Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 81 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 78 |
| Sound | 68 | 74 |
| Value | 83 | 84 |
Full specifications
| Spec | EC-256 Black | PHOENIX-200DX Red Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Poplar |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Mahogany | Roasted Maple |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) / ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) | ESP LH-150N / ESP LH-150B |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $599 | $499 |
| Bridge | TOM & Tailpiece | TOM & Tailpiece |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) | ESP LH-150B |
| Case | EC Guitar Form Fit Case | PHOENIX GUITAR FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | N | N |
| Construction | Set-Neck | Bolt-On |
| Controls | Passive | Volume/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch |
| Finish | Black | Red Burst |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350mm |
| Hardware | Gold | Black |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) | ESP LH-150N |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Molded | Molded |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Strap Button | Standard | Standard |
| Tuners | LTD | LTD |
| Top wood | — | Flamed Maple |