Head to head
ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY vs Harley Benton HP-42 Signature TT Roasted
The verdict
The ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY comes out ahead overall — 81 to 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY wins on
- Better build (87 vs 68)
- Better playability (84 vs 72)
- Better sound (68 vs 63)
- Better value (84 vs 72)
Harley Benton HP-42 Signature TT Roasted wins on
- Lower price ($402 vs $599)
Scorecard
| Metric | VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY | HP-42 Signature TT Roasted |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 81 | 69 |
| Build | 87 | 68 |
| Playability | 84 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 63 |
| Value | 84 | 72 |
Full specifications
| Spec | VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY | HP-42 Signature TT Roasted |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Nyatoh (Palaquium spp.) |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Mahogany | Roasted Canadian maple |
| Fretboard | Roasted Jatoba | Maple |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | ESP Designed LH-150N / ESP Designed LH-150B | Roswell P90s Alnico-5 single coils (neck) & Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 humbucker (bridge) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $599 | $402 |
| Bridge | TOM & Tailpiece | — |
| Bridge pickup | ESP Designed LH-150B | — |
| Case | VIPER GUITAR FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Neck | — |
| Controls | Passive | — |
| Finish | SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY | Transparent Turquoise |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350 mm (14") |
| Hardware | Black | Chrome |
| Neck pickup | ESP Designed LH-150N | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Molded | Graph Tech |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 648 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | Locking |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Offset dots |
| Neck Attachment | — | Bolt-on |
| Top wood | — | AAA Flamed maple |