Head to head
Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
Electric$5,499
No ratings yet77Overall / 100
The verdict
The Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural comes out ahead overall — 77 to 65 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural wins on
- Better build (87 vs 58)
- Better sound (74 vs 60)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
- Better value (75 vs 67)
- Lower price ($195 vs $5,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 77 | 65 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 74 | 60 |
| Value | 67 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | — |
| Body wood | 2-piece Mahogany | Basswood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Indian Rosewood | Amaranth |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) / Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $5,499 | $195 |
| Body Finish | Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina) | — |
| Body shape | Explorer | — |
| Body Styles | Explorer | — |
| Bridge | ABR-1 No-Wire | — |
| Bridge pickup | Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) | — |
| Case | Historic Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell | — |
| Control Covers | Brown Explorer | — |
| Control Knobs | True Historic Black Top Hat with Dial Pointer | — |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 1 Tone, 500K CTS Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Phone Book Capacitor | — |
| Finish | Aged Gold | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard inlay | Cellulose Dot | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 305 mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock | 1958 Explorer | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Joint | Hide Glue Fit | — |
| Model | 58MEXPANVOGH1 | — |
| Mounting Rings | True Historic Black | — |
| Neck pickup | Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) | — |
| Nut | Nylon | — |
| Nut width | 42.8mm / 1.69in | 42 mm |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Switchcraft | — |
| Pickguard | 4-ply White | — |
| Pickup Covers | True Historic Aged Gold | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-Way Switchcraft | — |
| Profile | 50s Vintage | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 648 mm |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Brass | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Switch Tip | True Historic Amber | — |
| Tailpiece | Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar | — |
| Truss rod | Authentic 1950s No-Tube | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | True Historic Black | — |
| Tuner Plating | Aged Gold | — |
| Tuners | Kluson Single Ring Reissue | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |
| Neck profile | — | C |
| Top wood | — | Imitation rosewood veneer |
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