Head to head
ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic vs Gibson LE 1963 Firebird VII Reissue, Gloss, Double Gold
The verdict
The Gibson LE 1963 Firebird VII Reissue, Gloss, Double Gold comes out ahead overall — 76 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 $8,499)
Gibson LE 1963 Firebird VII Reissue, Gloss, Double Gold wins on
- Better build (87 vs 61)
- Better sound (73 vs 68)
Scorecard
| Metric | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | LE 1963 Firebird VII Reissue, Gloss, Double Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 66 | 76 |
| Build | 61 | 87 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 73 |
| Value | 64 | 66 |
Full specifications
| Spec | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | LE 1963 Firebird VII Reissue, Gloss, Double Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Alder | Mahogany wings |
| Neck wood | Maple | 5-piece maple and walnut |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Ebony |
| 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) | Firebird / Firebird |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,699 | $8,499 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose 1000SE | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic |
| Bridge pickup | Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) | Firebird |
| Case | ST-TE Guitar Form Fit Case | Custom Shop Hardshell |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Passive | 2 volume, 2 tone |
| Finish | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic | Nickel |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 12 in. | 304.8 mm |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) | Firebird |
| Neck profile | GL Original U | — |
| Nut | Locking | Nylon |
| Nut width | 43mm nut / 45mm neck width | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | Banjo-style Firebird |
| Accessories | — | Certificate of Authenticity Booklet, Historic Reissue Hang Tags |
| Body Finish | — | Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer |
| Body shape | — | Firebird |
| Control Knobs | — | Gold Top Hats with silver inserts |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Block |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Joint | — | Neck through |
| Middle pickup | — | Firebird |
| Model | — | HSF726LE23278 |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" |
| Pickup Covers | — | Nickel |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-way toggle |
| Plastic Parts | — | Black |
| Profile | — | Authentic 1963 |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Tailpiece | — | Maestro Vibrola |
| Weight Relief | — | None |