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ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY vs Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS SBK

ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY
Electric$599
No ratings yet
81Overall / 100
Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS SBK
Electric$435
No ratings yet
64Overall / 100

The verdict

The ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY comes out ahead overall — 81 to 64 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 70)
  • Better sound (68 vs 63)
  • Better value (84 vs 68)
Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus MN HSS SBK wins on
  • Lower price ($435 vs $599)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricVIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRYST-Modern Plus MN HSS SBK
Overall8164
Build8758
Playability8470
Sound6863
Value8468

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecVIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRYST-Modern Plus MN HSS SBK
BrandESPHarley Benton
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryJP—
Body woodMahoganyAmerican alder
Neck wood3Pc MahoganyRoasted Canadian flamed maple
FretboardRoasted JatobaCanadian maple
Strings66
Frets24—
Scale24.75"25.5"
PickupsESP Designed LH-150N / ESP Designed LH-150B1 Tesla VR-Nitro Alnico 5 open humbucker (bridge) and 2 Tesla TV-S1 Alnico 5 single coils (middle and neck)
Rating——
Price$599$435
BridgeTOM & Tailpiece—
Bridge pickupESP Designed LH-150B—
CaseVIPER GUITAR FORM FIT CASE—
Case IncludedN—
ConstructionSet-Neck—
ControlsPassive—
FinishSEE THRU BLACK CHERRYMatt Black
Fretboard radius350mm305 - 406 mm (12" - 16")
HardwareBlack—
Neck pickupESP Designed LH-150N—
Neck profileThin USmooth "D" - thickness at 1st fret: 20.5 mm, at 12th fret: 22.5 mm
NutMolded—
Nut width42mm42 mm (1.65")
Scale length24.75"648 mm (25.5")
Strap ButtonStandard—
TunersLTD—
String gauges—Elixir Coated .010–.046
Tuning—E-A-D-G-B-E standard

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