Head to head
ESP EXL-200 Black vs Harley Benton SC-Custom III FR VBK
The verdict
The ESP EXL-200 Black comes out ahead overall — 82 to 67 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 build (87 vs 58)
- Better sound (74 vs 63)
- Better value (85 vs 70)
Harley Benton SC-Custom III FR VBK wins on
- Lower price ($489 vs $699)
Scorecard
| Metric | EXL-200 Black | SC-Custom III FR VBK |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 67 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 81 | 78 |
| Sound | 74 | 63 |
| Value | 85 | 70 |
Full specifications
| Spec | EXL-200 Black | SC-Custom III FR VBK |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Meranti |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Meranti |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-301N / ESP LH-301B | Two Tesla TM VR-Nitro Alnico-5 humbuckers |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $699 | $489 |
| Bridge | TOM & Tailpiece | — |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-301B | — |
| Case | EXL GUITAR FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Neck | — |
| Controls | Volume/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch | — |
| Finish | Black | Vintage Matte Black |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350 mm |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-301N | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Modern C - thickness at 1st fret: 20 mm / 12th fret: 22 mm |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 648 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| Binding | — | Ivory |
| String gauges | — | .010 - .046 |
| Suitable Case | — | Art. #414317# (not included) |