Head to head
ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY vs Harley Benton MultiScale-8 NT QBB DLX
The verdict
The ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY comes out ahead overall — 81 to 67 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 58)
- Better playability (84 vs 78)
- Better sound (68 vs 63)
- Better value (84 vs 70)
Harley Benton MultiScale-8 NT QBB DLX wins on
- Lower price ($435 vs $599)
Scorecard
| Metric | VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY | MultiScale-8 NT QBB DLX |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 81 | 67 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 84 | 78 |
| Sound | 68 | 63 |
| Value | 84 | 70 |
Full specifications
| Spec | VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY | MultiScale-8 NT QBB DLX |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Poplar |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Mahogany | Okume/Nato |
| Fretboard | Roasted Jatoba | Purple Heart |
| Strings | 6 | 8 |
| Frets | 24 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 27.01" |
| Pickups | ESP Designed LH-150N / ESP Designed LH-150B | 2 HBZ Custom Wound Ferrite Hi-Gain humbuckers |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $599 | $435 |
| 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 | Quilted Satin Black Burst |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 400 mm |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP Designed LH-150N | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Modern C |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | 56.6 mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 648 - 686 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| 5 Piece Neck Thru Body | — | Okume/Nato |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .030, .042, .054, .064, .074 |
| Suitable Case | — | Art. #212516# (not included) |
| Top Veneer | — | quilted maple |