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Gibson B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW

Gibson B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut
Electric$9,999
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100
Harley Benton ST-70 RW
Harley Benton
ST-70 RW
Electric$195
No ratings yet
65Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut 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 B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut 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 $9,999)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricB.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, WalnutST-70 RW
Overall7765
Build8758
Playability7572
Sound7460
Value6775

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecB.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, WalnutST-70 RW
BrandGibsonHarley Benton
TypeElectricElectric
Years
CountryUS
Body woodPlain Laminated MapleBasswood
Neck wood3-piece MahoganyMaple
FretboardEbonyAmaranth
Strings66
Frets22
Scale24.75"25.51"
PickupsT-Type Custombucker Alnico 5 / T-Type Custombucker Alnico 53 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils
Rating
Price$9,999$195
BackPlain Laminated Maple
BindingMulti-ply Top, Back, and Headstock; Single-ply Fretboard and F-Holes
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeES-335
Body StylesES
BracingRed Spruce
BridgeTune-O-Matic
Bridge pickupT-Type Custombucker Alnico 5
CaseB.B. King Zaire Hardshell
CenterblockLightweight Solid Maple
Control KnobsBlack Witch Hat with Gold Insert
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, 6-Position Mono Varitone; Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Ceramic Capacitors
End Of Board Width52.37mm / 2.06in
FinishAged GoldNatural High Gloss
Fretboard inlayMother-of-Pearl Custom Block
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in305 mm
Fret Count22
Headstock InlayGibson Logo and Custom Spilt Diamond in Mother of Pearl
JointGlued In, Set Neck, Hide Glue Fit
ModelBBES355ZWGH1
Mounting RingsBlack
Neck pickupT-Type Custombucker Alnico 5
NutCorian
Nut width42.85mm / 1.69in42 mm
Output JackSwitchcraft 1/4"
Pickguard5-ply Tortoise
Pickup CoversTrue Historic Gold
Pickup SelectorSwitchcraft 3-way Toggle
ProfileArtist Profile
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in648 mm
SidePlain Laminated Maple
Strap Buttons2
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipCream
SwitchwasherGold Varitone Plate & Black Chicken Head Knob (Varitone Switch)
TailpieceMaestro Vibrola
Top woodPlain Laminated MapleImitation rosewood veneer
Truss rodReissue
Truss Rod CoverBlack; Engraved Stereo
Tuner PlatingAged Gold
TunersKluson Waffleback with Metal Button
Ex Factory StringingD'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#)
Neck profileC

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