Head to head
ESP M-1000HT Black Natural Fade vs Gibson Les Paul Junior
The verdict
The ESP M-1000HT Black Natural Fade comes out ahead overall — 82 to 71 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP M-1000HT Black Natural Fade wins on
- Better build (93 vs 87)
- Better playability (81 vs 67)
- Better sound (71 vs 60)
- Better value (79 vs 68)
Gibson Les Paul Junior wins on
- Lower price ($900 vs $1,399)
Scorecard
| Metric | M-1000HT Black Natural Fade | Les Paul Junior |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 71 |
| Build | 93 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 67 |
| Sound | 71 | 60 |
| Value | 79 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-1000HT Black Natural Fade | Les Paul Junior |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | 1954 |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Alder | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Alnico Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) / Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Ceramic Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) | P-90 single-coil |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,399 | $900 – $1,500 |
| Bridge | Hipshot Fixed w/ String Thru | Wrap-around |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Ceramic Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) | — |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Neck-Thru | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Black Natural Fade | — |
| Fretboard radius | 300-400mm Compound | — |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Alnico Black Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) | — |
| Neck profile | Extra Thin U | — |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 43mm | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" | — |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Top wood | Burled Poplar | — |
| Tuners | LTD Locking | — |
| Body shape | — | Single cutaway |
| Weight | — | 3.6 kg |