Head to head
ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic vs Harley Benton ST DIY-KIT
The verdict
The ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic and Harley Benton ST DIY-KIT are closely matched overall — 66 to 67 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
No standout advantage.
Harley Benton ST DIY-KIT wins on
- Better value (77 vs 64)
- Lower price ($86 vs $1,699)
Scorecard
| Metric | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | ST DIY-KIT |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 66 | 67 |
| Build | 61 | 58 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 66 |
| Value | 64 | 77 |
Full specifications
| Spec | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | ST DIY-KIT |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Alder | Rengas (wood colour may vary) |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Laurel |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) / Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) | 3 ceramic single coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,699 | $86 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose 1000SE | — |
| Bridge pickup | Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) | — |
| Case | ST-TE Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Passive | 1 volume, 2-tone and 5-way switch |
| Finish | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic | Natural |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 305 mm |
| Hardware | Black | Chrome |
| Neck pickup | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) | — |
| Neck profile | GL Original U | — |
| Nut | Locking | — |
| Nut width | 43mm nut / 45mm neck width | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 648 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Dot |
| Note | — | a certain degree of manual skill is required for successful assembly, as is some initial experience with lacquer work. |