Head to head
ESP JRV-8 Metallic Gold vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
The verdict
The ESP JRV-8 Metallic Gold comes out ahead overall — 79 to 65 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP JRV-8 Metallic Gold wins on
- Better build (93 vs 58)
- Better playability (78 vs 72)
- Better sound (73 vs 60)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
- Better value (75 vs 69)
- Lower price ($195 vs $2,299)
Scorecard
| Metric | JRV-8 Metallic Gold | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 79 | 65 |
| Build | 93 | 58 |
| Playability | 78 | 72 |
| Sound | 73 | 60 |
| Value | 69 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | JRV-8 Metallic Gold | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Alder | Basswood |
| Neck wood | 5Pc Maple/Walnut | Maple |
| Fretboard | Maple | Amaranth |
| Strings | 8 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 27" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | Fishman Fluence 8-String Javier Reyes Single Width / Fishman Fluence Javier Reyes 8-String Classic Open Core *(Mini-toggle selects Voice 1/2/3) | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $2,299 | $195 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose 1000 | — |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence Javier Reyes 8-String Classic Open Core *(Mini-toggle selects Voice 1/2/3) | — |
| Case | ST 8 String Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Metallic Gold | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard radius | 500mm | 305 mm |
| Hardware | Gold | — |
| Middle pickup | Fishman Fluence 8-String Javier Reyes Single Width | — |
| Neck pickup | Fishman Fluence 8-String Javier Reyes Single Width | — |
| Neck profile | Thin Flat | C |
| Nut | Locking | — |
| Nut width | 54mm | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 27" Baritone | 648 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD Locking | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |
| Top wood | — | Imitation rosewood veneer |