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Head to head

ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic vs Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Tri-Burst

ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic
Electric$1,699
No ratings yet
66Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Tri-Burst comes out ahead overall — 77 to 66 on our estimated score.

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

ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic wins on
  • Lower price ($1,699 vs $19,999)
Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Tri-Burst wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 61)
  • Better sound (74 vs 68)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricLTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Tri-Burst
Overall6677
Build6187
Playability7275
Sound6874
Value6467

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecLTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Tri-Burst
BrandESPGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodAlderSuper Lightweight Mahogany
Neck woodMapleSolid Mahogany
FretboardMacassar EbonyBrazilian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale25.5"24.75"
PickupsESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) / Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select)Custombucker Alnico 5 Magnet Zebra Coils / Custombucker Alnico 5 Magnet Zebra Coils
Rating——
Price$1,699$19,999
BridgeFloyd Rose 1000SEABR-1 Historic Reissue
Bridge pickupSeymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select)Custombucker Alnico 5 Magnet Zebra Coils
CaseST-TE Guitar Form Fit CaseAged Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch Case
Case IncludedY—
ConstructionBolt-On—
ControlsPassive2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
FinishBlack w/ Desert Eagle GraphicNickel; Murphy Lab Aged
Fretboard radius305mm304.8mm / 12.0in
HardwareBlack—
Neck pickupESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select)Custombucker Alnico 5 Magnet Zebra Coils
Neck profileGL Original U—
NutLockingNylon
Nut width43mm nut / 45mm neck width42.85mm / 1.69in
Scale length25.5"628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap ButtonStandard—
TunersLTDKluson Single Line, Single Ring
Accessories—Leather Bound Certificate of Authenticity, Mounted Custom Shop Switchplate Medallion; Reissue Switch Backplate in Case
Binding—Single-ply Cream Royalite, Top and Fretboard
Body Finish—Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shape—Les Paul
Body Styles—Les Paul
Control Covers—Black Royalite; Gibson Custom Shop Medallion Switchplate Cover, Blank Switchplate Cover in the Case
Control Knobs—Gold Butyrate Top Hat
End Of Board Width—56.89mm / 2.24in
Fretboard inlay—Aged Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
Fret Count—22
Headstock—Serial Number: 9 4071
Headstock Inlay—Gibson logo in Mother of Pearl, Les Paul Model silkscreen
Jack Plate Cover—Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Joint—Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Model—LPR59PSL21496B
Mounting Rings—M69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Output Jack—1/4" Switchcraft
Pickguard—Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Pickup Covers—Murphy Lab Aged Nickel
Pickup Selector—3-way Switchcraft
Plastic Parts—Murphy Lab Aged
Profile—50s Rounded Medium C
Saddle Material—Nickel-plated Brass
Strap Buttons—2 - True Historic, Bottom and Shoulder
String gauges—.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch Tip—Amber Catalin
Switchwasher—Replica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Tailpiece—Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Top wood—Hand-Selected AAAA Figured Maple
Truss rod—Authentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod Cover—Authentic Stepped 2-Ply
Tuner Plating—Nickel; Murphy Lab Aged
Weight Relief—None

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