Head to head
ESP Stef B-8 Black vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
The verdict
The ESP Stef B-8 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 Stef B-8 Black wins on
- Better build (97 vs 58)
- Better playability (81 vs 72)
- Better sound (65 vs 60)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
- Better value (75 vs 69)
- Lower price ($195 vs $6,149)
Scorecard
| Metric | Stef B-8 Black | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 79 | 65 |
| Build | 97 | 58 |
| Playability | 81 | 72 |
| Sound | 65 | 60 |
| Value | 69 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Stef B-8 Black | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Alder | Basswood |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Amaranth |
| Strings | 8 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | — |
| Scale | 27" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | Fishman Fluence Stephen Carpenter 3-Voice Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $6,149 | $195 |
| Bridge | Hipshot Fixed w/ String Thru | — |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence Stephen Carpenter 3-Voice Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) | — |
| Case | MH 8 String Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Neck-Thru | — |
| Controls | Active | — |
| Finish | Black | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 305 mm |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Middle pickup | Fishman Fluence Stephen Carpenter 3-Voice Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | C |
| Nut | Graphite | — |
| Nut width | 55mm | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 27" Baritone | 648 mm |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Tuners | Gotoh Magnum Lock | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |
| Top wood | — | Imitation rosewood veneer |