Head to head
ESP EXL-200 Black vs ESP PHOENIX-201 Black
The verdict
The ESP EXL-200 Black comes out ahead overall — 82 to 76 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP EXL-200 Black wins on
- Better sound (74 vs 60)
- Better value (85 vs 79)
ESP PHOENIX-201 Black wins on
- Lower price ($599 vs $699)
Scorecard
| Metric | EXL-200 Black | PHOENIX-201 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 76 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 78 |
| Sound | 74 | 60 |
| Value | 85 | 79 |
Full specifications
| Spec | EXL-200 Black | PHOENIX-201 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | 3Pc Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-301N / ESP LH-301B | ESP LH-150B *(Pull Volume for Split) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $699 | $599 |
| Bridge | TOM & Tailpiece | TOM & Tailpiece |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-301B | ESP LH-150B *(Pull Volume for Split) |
| Case | EXL GUITAR FORM FIT CASE | Phoenix Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Case Included | N | N |
| Construction | Set-Neck | Set-Neck |
| Controls | Volume/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch | Passive |
| Finish | Black | Black |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-301N | — |
| 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 |