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Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup Bigsby, Light Aged, Ebony vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW

Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup Bigsby, Light Aged, Ebony
Electric$8,699
No ratings yet
78Overall / 100
Harley Benton ST-70 RW
Harley Benton
ST-70 RW
Electric$195
No ratings yet
65Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup Bigsby, Light Aged, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 78 to 65 on our estimated score.

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

Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup Bigsby, Light Aged, Ebony wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 58)
  • Better sound (79 vs 60)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
  • Better value (75 vs 68)
  • Lower price ($195 vs $8,699)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
Metric1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup Bigsby, Light Aged, EbonyST-70 RW
Overall7865
Build8758
Playability7572
Sound7960
Value6875

Full specifications

Specification comparison
Spec1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup Bigsby, Light Aged, EbonyST-70 RW
BrandGibsonHarley Benton
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryUS—
Body woodSolid MahoganyBasswood
Neck woodSolid MahoganyMaple
FretboardEbonyAmaranth
Strings66
Frets22—
Scale24.75"25.51"
PickupsCustombucker Alnico 3 / Custombucker Alnico 33 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils
Rating——
Price$8,699$195
AccessoriesCertificate of Authenticity, Mounted Custom Shop Switch Plate Medallion; Reissue Switch Backplate in Case—
BindingMulti-ply—
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer—
Body shapeLes Paul—
Body StylesLes Paul—
BridgeNo-Wire ABR-1—
Bridge pickupCustombucker Alnico 3—
CaseBrown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch Case—
Control CoversBlack Royalite—
Control KnobsButyrate Black Top Hats—
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors—
End Of Board Width56.89mm / 2.24in—
FinishGold; Murphy Lab Light AgedNatural High Gloss
Fretboard inlay1950s Pattern Mother of Pearl—
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in305 mm
Fret Count22—
Headstock InlayGibson logo and Split Diamond inlay in Mother of Pearl—
Jack Plate CoverMultiply Laminated Acrylic—
JointLong Tenon, Hide Glue Fit—
Middle pickupCustombucker Alnico 3—
ModelLPB357LAEBBG1—
Mounting RingsM69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate—
Neck pickupCustombucker Alnico 3—
NutNylon—
Nut width42.85mm / 1.69in42 mm
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft—
PickguardMultiply Laminated Acrylic—
Pickup CoversAuthentic Profile Gold-plated Nickel Silver—
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft—
Profile50s Rounded Medium C—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in648 mm
Strap ButtonsBrass—
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046—
Switch TipAmber Catalin—
SwitchwasherReplica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate—
TailpieceBigsby—
Truss rodAuthentic 1950s No-Tube—
Truss Rod CoverAuthentic Stepped 2-Ply Les Paul Custom—
Tuner PlatingGold—
TunersKluson Waffleback with Pearloid Tips—
Weight ReliefNone—
Ex Factory Stringing—D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#)
Neck profile—C
Top wood—Imitation rosewood veneer

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