Head to head
Gibson Explorer Custom, Ebony, Gloss vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
The verdict
The Gibson Explorer Custom, Ebony, Gloss 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 Explorer Custom, Ebony, Gloss 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 $5,799)
Scorecard
| Metric | Explorer Custom, Ebony, Gloss | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 65 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 65 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Explorer Custom, Ebony, Gloss | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | — |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Basswood |
| Neck wood | Solid Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Amaranth |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | 490R / 498T | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $5,799 | $195 |
| Accessories | Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity | — |
| Binding | Multi-ply | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer | — |
| Body shape | Explorer | — |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic | — |
| Bridge pickup | 498T | — |
| Case | Custom Shop Hardshell | — |
| Control Knobs | Black Speed Knobs | — |
| Controls | 2 volume, master tone | — |
| End Of Board Width | 56.89mm / 2.24in | — |
| Finish | Gold | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Block | — |
| Fretboard radius | 12 in. | 304.8 mm | 305 mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Jack Plate Cover | Gold-plated Brass | — |
| Joint | Long Tenon | — |
| Model | DSMXEBGH1E | — |
| Mounting Rings | Black M69 | — |
| Neck pickup | 490R | — |
| Nut | Corian | — |
| Nut width | 42.85mm / 1.69in | 42 mm |
| Pickguard | Black Multi-Ply | — |
| Pickup Covers | Gold-Plated | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way toggle | — |
| Profile | Medium C | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 648 mm |
| Strap Buttons | Brass | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Switch Tip | Black | — |
| Switchwasher | Black | — |
| Tailpiece | Stop Bar | — |
| Truss rod | 2-way Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-Ply Black/White | — |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | — |
| Tuners | Grover Kidney | — |
| Weight Relief | None | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |
| Neck profile | — | C |
| Top wood | — | Imitation rosewood veneer |