Head to head
ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic vs Gibson 1963 SG Junior Reissue, Heavy Aged, Ebony
The verdict
The Gibson 1963 SG Junior Reissue, Heavy Aged, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 72 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
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Lower price ($1,699 vs $6,699)
Gibson 1963 SG Junior Reissue, Heavy Aged, Ebony wins on
- Better build (87 vs 61)
Scorecard
| Metric | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | 1963 SG Junior Reissue, Heavy Aged, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 66 | 72 |
| Build | 61 | 87 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 64 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | 1963 SG Junior Reissue, Heavy Aged, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Alder | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Maple | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) / Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) | Custombucker, Double Black |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,699 | $6,699 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose 1000SE | Lightning Bar Wraparound |
| Bridge pickup | Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) | Custombucker, Double Black |
| Case | ST-TE Guitar Form Fit Case | Lifton Black Hardshell Case |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Passive | Master Volume, Master Tone; Hand-Wired with Paper In Oil Capacitor |
| Finish | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic | Nickel |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) | — |
| Neck profile | GL Original U | — |
| Nut | Locking | Nylon |
| Nut width | 43mm nut / 45mm neck width | 42.67mm / 1.68in |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | Kluson 3 on a side with White Button |
| Accessories | — | Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity |
| Body Finish | — | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | — | SG |
| Body Styles | — | SG |
| Control Knobs | — | Black Top Hat with Silver Reflectors |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Joint | — | Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | — | SGJR63PSL000000499 |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" |
| Pickguard | — | Black |
| Profile | — | Authentic '61 Thin Profile |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |