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Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW

Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS
Electric$5,999
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100
Harley Benton ST-70 RW
Harley Benton
ST-70 RW
Electric$195
No ratings yet
65Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS comes out ahead overall — 75 to 65 on our estimated score.

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

Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 58)
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)
Harley Benton ST-70 RW wins on
  • Better value (75 vs 65)
  • Lower price ($195 vs $5,999)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
Metric1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOSST-70 RW
Overall7565
Build8758
Playability7572
Sound6860
Value6575

Full specifications

Specification comparison
Spec1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOSST-70 RW
BrandGibsonHarley Benton
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryUS—
Body woodMahoganyBasswood
Neck woodMahoganyMaple
FretboardIndian RosewoodAmaranth
Strings116
Frets22—
Scale24.75"25.51"
PickupsFirebird Alnico 5 / Firebird Alnico 53 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils
Rating——
Price$5,999$195
Body FinishNitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)—
Body shapeNon-Reverse Firebird—
Body StylesFirebird—
BridgeABR-1—
Bridge pickupFirebird Alnico 5—
CaseCustom Shop Hardshell—
Control CoversNon-Reverse Firebird—
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Silver Insert—
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500k CTS Potentiometers, Bumblebee Capacitors, Hand-wired Harness—
End Of Board Width56.89mm / 2.24in—
FinishAged NickelNatural High Gloss
Fretboard inlayNitrocellulose Dot—
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in305 mm
Fret Count22—
Headstock InlayGibson Logo and Split Diamond-Inspired Twin Triangle Inlays in Mother of Pearl—
JointHide Glue Fit—
ModelFBNR12VOAQNH1—
Neck pickupFirebird Alnico 5—
NutCorian—
Nut width42.86mm / 1.69in42 mm
Output JackSwitchcraft 1/4"—
Pickguard3-ply White Non-Reverse Firebird—
Pickup Selector3-way Slider—
Profile60s SlimTaper C—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in648 mm
Strap Buttons2—
String gauges.010, 010, .013, .013, .008, .017, .012, .026, .018, .036, .026, .046—
Tailpiece12-String Claw—
Truss rodStandard—
Truss Rod CoverBlack—
TunersKluson Six on a Side Strip (x2)—
Ex Factory Stringing—D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#)
Neck profile—C
Top wood—Imitation rosewood veneer

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