Head to head
ESP SD-2 Black vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
The verdict
The ESP SD-2 Black comes out ahead overall — 77 to 65 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP SD-2 Black wins on
- Better build (87 vs 58)
- Better playability (84 vs 72)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
- Lower price ($195 vs $1,699)
Scorecard
| Metric | SD-2 Black | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 77 | 65 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 84 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 74 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | SD-2 Black | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Basswood |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Amaranth |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | Seymour Duncan Blackouts Metal | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,699 | $195 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose 1000SE | — |
| Bridge pickup | Seymour Duncan Blackouts Metal | — |
| Case | SD-2 Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Construction | Neck-Thru | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Black | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 305 mm |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck profile | Extra Thin U | C |
| Nut | Locking | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 648 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |
| Top wood | — | Imitation rosewood veneer |