Head to head
ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic vs Harley Benton ST-Shorty BK
The verdict
The ESP LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic and Harley Benton ST-Shorty BK are closely matched overall — 66 to 65 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)
Harley Benton ST-Shorty BK wins on
- Better value (75 vs 64)
- Lower price ($82 vs $1,699)
Scorecard
| Metric | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | ST-Shorty BK |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 66 | 65 |
| Build | 61 | 58 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 64 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | LTD Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | ST-Shorty BK |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Alder | Poplar |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Laurel |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 25.5" | 19.37" |
| Pickups | ESP LS-120 *(Pull to Select) / Seymour Duncan ‘78 Direct Mount *(Push to Select) | 3 ST-Style single coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,699 | $82 |
| 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 | — |
| Finish | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic | Black high-gloss |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 350 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" | 492 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| String gauges | — | 009 - 042 |
| Total Length | — | 81 cm |
| Tuning | — | A-D-G-C-E-a |