Head to head
ESP EC-256 Black vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
The verdict
The ESP EC-256 Black comes out ahead overall — 80 to 65 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP EC-256 Black wins on
- Better build (87 vs 58)
- Better playability (81 vs 72)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (83 vs 75)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
- Lower price ($195 vs $599)
Scorecard
| Metric | EC-256 Black | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 65 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 81 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 83 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | EC-256 Black | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Basswood |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Amaranth |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) / ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $599 | $195 |
| Bridge | TOM & Tailpiece | — |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) | — |
| Case | EC Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Neck | — |
| Controls | Passive | — |
| Finish | Black | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 305 mm |
| Hardware | Gold | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | C |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 648 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |
| Top wood | — | Imitation rosewood veneer |