Head to head
ESP MH-17 BLACK vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
The verdict
The ESP MH-17 BLACK comes out ahead overall — 79 to 65 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP MH-17 BLACK wins on
- Better build (87 vs 58)
- Better playability (81 vs 72)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | MH-17 BLACK | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 79 | 65 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 81 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 79 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | MH-17 BLACK | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Basswood | Basswood |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple |
| Fretboard | Engineered Hardwood | Amaranth |
| Strings | 7 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | — |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-100N / ESP LH-100B | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | — | $195 |
| Bridge | TOM w/ String Thru | — |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-100B | — |
| Case | GIG BAG INCLUDED | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Passive | — |
| Finish | BLACK | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 305 mm |
| Hardware | Chrome | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-100N | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | C |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 48mm | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 648 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |
| Top wood | — | Imitation rosewood veneer |