Head to head
ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY vs Schecter Damien Elite-7 LH
The verdict
The ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY comes out ahead overall — 81 to 72 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 65)
- Better value (84 vs 75)
Schecter Damien Elite-7 LH wins on
- Lower price ($399 vs $599)
Scorecard
| Metric | VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY | Damien Elite-7 LH |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 81 | 72 |
| Build | 87 | 65 |
| Playability | 84 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 84 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY | Damien Elite-7 LH |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Schecter |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Mahogany | Maple 3-pc |
| Fretboard | Roasted Jatoba | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 7 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 26.5" |
| Pickups | ESP Designed LH-150N / ESP Designed LH-150B | EMG 85-7 / EMG 81-7 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $599 | $399 |
| Bridge | TOM & Tailpiece | Schecter Custom Hardtail w/ String Thru Body |
| Bridge pickup | ESP Designed LH-150B | EMG 81-7 |
| Case | VIPER GUITAR FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Neck | Bolt-on |
| Controls | Passive | Volume/Tone/3-Way Switch |
| Finish | SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY | — |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 16" (406mm) |
| Hardware | Black | Black Chrome |
| Neck pickup | ESP Designed LH-150N | EMG 85-7 |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin "C" |
| Nut | Molded | Graph Tech XL Black Tusq |
| Nut width | 42mm | 1.889" (48mm) |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 26.5" (673mm) |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | Grover |
| Battery Compartment | — | 9-volt Clip-in Battery Compartment |
| Binding | — | Black Multi-ply |
| Dexterity | — | Left Handed |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Pearloid Gothic Dots |
| Guitar Colors | — | Crimson Red Burst (CRB) |
| Knobs | — | Metal Knurled w/ Set Screw |
| Thickness | — | @ 1st Fret- .787" (20mm)/ @ 12th Fret- .866" (22mm) |
| Top Contour | — | Arched Top |
| Top Material | — | Flamed Maple |
| Truss rod | — | 2-Way Adjustable Rod w/ 5/32" (4mm) Allen Nut |