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Head to head

ESP Will Adler Warbird Distressed Black w/ Graphic vs Gibson Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Gold Mist Absinthe, Gold-Mist-Absinthe

ESP Will Adler Warbird Distressed Black w/ Graphic
Electric$10,949
No ratings yet
80Overall / 100
Gibson Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Gold Mist Absinthe, Gold-Mist-Absinthe
Electric$15,999
No ratings yet
76Overall / 100

The verdict

The ESP Will Adler Warbird Distressed Black w/ Graphic comes out ahead overall — 80 to 76 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

ESP Will Adler Warbird Distressed Black w/ Graphic wins on
  • Better build (97 vs 87)
  • Better playability (81 vs 75)
  • Lower price ($10,949 vs $15,999)
Gibson Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Gold Mist Absinthe, Gold-Mist-Absinthe wins on

No standout advantage.

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricWill Adler Warbird Distressed Black w/ GraphicLeo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Gold Mist Absinthe, Gold-Mist-Absinthe
Overall8076
Build9787
Playability8175
Sound6871
Value7066

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecWill Adler Warbird Distressed Black w/ GraphicLeo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Gold Mist Absinthe, Gold-Mist-Absinthe
BrandESPGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryJPUS
Body woodMahoganyAlder
Neck wood3Pc MapleMahogany
FretboardEbonyIndian Rosewood
Strings76
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsFishman Fluence Will Adler Aged Gold *(Pull Tone for Voice 2) / Fishman Fluence Will Adler Aged Gold *(Pull Tone for Voice 2)Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound P-90 Soapbar Dual Alnico 5 Magnets 79 k DC Resistance / Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound Vault 59 Patent Applied For Humbucker Alnico 2 Magnet 845 k DC Resistance
Rating——
Price$10,949$15,999
BridgeTonePros Locking TOM & TailpieceABR-1 Tune-O-Matic with Custom Dog Bone Base
Bridge pickupFishman Fluence Will Adler Aged Gold *(Pull Tone for Voice 2)Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound Vault 59 Patent Applied For Humbucker Alnico 2 Magnet 845 k DC Resistance
CaseEC Guitar Form Fit CaseCustom G&G Hardshell with Leo Scala Aged Hardware and Gold-Embroidered Gibson Logo Inside
Case IncludedY—
ConstructionNeck-Thru—
ControlsActive2 Volume, 2 Tone; 50s-style Hand-wired with VIPots 550k Potentiometers and Bumblebee Capacitors
FinishDistressed Black w/ Gold Warbird GraphicMaster Artisan Aged Nickel
Fretboard radius305mm304.8mm / 12.0in
HardwareGold—
Neck pickupFishman Fluence Will Adler Aged Gold *(Pull Tone for Voice 2)Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound P-90 Soapbar Dual Alnico 5 Magnets 79 k DC Resistance
Neck profileThin U—
NutBoneNylon
Nut width43mm42.85mm / 1.69in
Scale length24.75"628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap ButtonESP Strap Lock—
Top woodMaple—
TunersSperzel LockingKluson Six In-Line with White Oval Button
Accessories—Certificate of Authenticity Box
Body Finish—Master Artisan Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shape—Theodore
Body Styles—Double Cut
Control Covers—Black
Control Knobs—Black Top Hat with Silver Reflector and Dial Pointer
Fretboard inlay—Pearloid Dot
Fret Count—22
Headstock—Scimitar
Headstock Inlay—Custom Raised Aluminum Gibson Logo
Joint—Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Model—CS-ART-101
Mounting Rings—Black (Humbucker)
Neck Finish—Leo Scala Custom Oiled
Output Jack—1/4" Switchcraft
Pickguard—Custom Multi-ply Cream
Pickup Covers—Black Soapbar (P-90), Aged Nickel (Humbucker)
Pickup Selector—3-way Switchcraft
Profile—C
Strap Buttons—2 - Bottom and Upper Horn
String gauges—.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch Tip—Black
Switchwasher—Black
Tailpiece—Bigsby B7 Vibrato
Truss rod—Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover—2-ply Black Bell
Tuner Plating—Master Artisan Aged Nickel

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