Head to head
ESP J-430E NATURAL GLOSS vs Ibanez M522S
The verdict
The ESP J-430E NATURAL GLOSS 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 J-430E NATURAL GLOSS wins on
- Better build (96 vs 66)
- Better playability (78 vs 67)
- Better value (81 vs 67)
Ibanez M522S wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-430E NATURAL GLOSS | M522S |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 67 |
| Build | 96 | 66 |
| Playability | 78 | 67 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 81 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-430E NATURAL GLOSS | M522S |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Ibanez |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Rosewood | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | — |
| Fretboard | Roasted Jatoba | Purpleheart |
| Strings | 6 | 4 |
| Frets | 20 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 13.8" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | — | — |
| Bridge | Roasted Jatoba Bridge w/ Graphtech Nubone Saddle | Purpleheart bridge |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Case | - | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Neck | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Natural Gloss | — |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | — |
| Hardware | Gold | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Graphtech Nubone | — |
| Nut width | 43mm | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 350mm/13.8" |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce top |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| A Length | — | 13 3/4" |
| A Width | — | 30mm at NUT |
| Back Sides | — | Flamed maple back & Flamed maple sides |
| Body shape | — | F-style body |
| B Width | — | 10 3/8" |
| C Max Depth | — | 1 3/4" |
| C Thickness | — | 22.5mm at 1F |
| D Thickness | — | 24.5mm at 7F |
| Factory Tuning | — | 1E,2A,3D,4G |
| Inlay | — | Acrylic block inlay |
| Radius | — | Flat |
| Saddle Material | — | Purpleheart |
| String Gauge | — | .011/.016/.027/.040 |
| String Space | — | 10mm |
| Tuning Machine | — | Gold Mandolin tuners w/Acrylic button |