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Head to head

ESP KH-2 Vintage Distressed Black vs Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony

ESP KH-2 Vintage Distressed Black
Electric$6,549
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100
Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
Electric$6,999
No ratings yet
82Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 82 to 77 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

ESP KH-2 Vintage Distressed Black wins on
  • Better playability (81 vs 75)
  • Lower price ($6,549 vs $6,999)
Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony wins on
  • Better build (96 vs 87)
  • Better sound (81 vs 68)
  • Better value (72 vs 67)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricKH-2 Vintage Distressed BlackPeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
Overall7782
Build8796
Playability8175
Sound6881
Value6772

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecKH-2 Vintage Distressed BlackPeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
BrandESPGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryJPUS
Body woodAlderMahogany
Neck wood3Pc MapleMahogany
FretboardRosewoodEbony
Strings66
Frets2422
Scale25.5"24.75"
PickupsEMG 60A Black / EMG 81 BlackCustombucker / Custombucker
Rating——
Price$6,549$6,999
BridgeFloyd Rose OriginalTune-O-Matic
Bridge pickupEMG 81 BlackCustombucker
CaseMH Guitar Form Fit CaseGibson Hardshell Case
Case IncludedY—
CoaY—
ConstructionNeck-Thru—
ControlsActiveMaster Volume and Tone shared by Neck and Bridge Pickups, Second Volume and Tone for Middle Pickup (independent of P/U selector toggle switch), CTS Potentiometers, Paper in Oil Capacitors
FinishDistressed BlackGold VOS
Fretboard radius305mm304.8mm / 12.0in
HardwareBlack—
Neck pickupEMG 60A BlackCustombucker
Neck profileExtra Thin U—
NutLockingBone
Nut width42mm42.86mm / 1.69in
Scale length25.5"628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap ButtonESP Strap Lock—
TunersGotohGrover Kidney
Accessories—Schaller Strap Lock Strap Buttons
Binding—Multi-ply
Body Finish—Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shape—Les Paul
Body Styles—Les Paul
Control Covers—Reissue Black, plus Custom Shop Medallion
Control Knobs—Gold Speed Knobs
Fretboard inlay—Custom Block; Frampton Signature Sandblasted into 12th Fret Inlay
Fret Count—22
Headstock—Bound Les Paul Custom
Headstock Inlay—Gibson Logo and Split Diamond Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate Cover—Gold
Joint—Set Neck
Middle pickup—Custombucker
Model—CSPFPXVOEBGH1
Mounting Rings—Cream
Output Jack—1/4" Switchcraft
Pickguard—None
Pickup Covers—None
Pickup Selector—3-Way Switchcraft
Profile—Artist Profile
Strap Buttons—2 - Bottom and Shoulder (Schaller Strap Locks)
String gauges—.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch Tip—Gold
Switchwasher—True Historic Cream
Tailpiece—Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar with Long Stud/Anchor
Top wood—Solid Mahogany
Truss rod—Standard
Truss Rod Cover—True Historic Black; Frampton Signature
Tuner Plating—Gold
Weight Relief—9-Hole

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