Head to head
ESP MT-I Obsidian Metallic vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
The verdict
The ESP MT-I Obsidian Metallic comes out ahead overall — 78 to 65 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP MT-I Obsidian Metallic wins on
- Better build (97 vs 58)
- Better playability (81 vs 72)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
- Better value (75 vs 67)
- Lower price ($195 vs $7,199)
Scorecard
| Metric | MT-I Obsidian Metallic | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 78 | 65 |
| Build | 97 | 58 |
| Playability | 81 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 67 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | MT-I Obsidian Metallic | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Basswood |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Maple |
| Fretboard | Fenowood | Amaranth |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | — |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson *(Toggle for Voice 1, Voice 1 w/ Bass Shift, Voice 2/Pull Volume for Voice 3) | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,199 | $195 |
| Bridge | Hipshot Ibby HM w/ String Thru | — |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson *(Toggle for Voice 1, Voice 1 w/ Bass Shift, Voice 2/Pull Volume for Voice 3) | — |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Obsidian Metallic | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard radius | 300-400mm Compound | 305 mm |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | C |
| Nut | Graph Tech TUSQ XL Black | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 648 mm |
| Strap Button | Gotoh Locking | — |
| Top wood | White Ash | Imitation rosewood veneer |
| Tuners | Hipshot Grip-Lock Open | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |