Head to head
Gibson Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW
The verdict
The Gibson Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony 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 Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony 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 $8,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 65 |
| Build | 87 | 58 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 65 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony | ST-70 RW |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | — |
| Body wood | One Piece Mahogany | Basswood |
| Neck wood | One Piece Mahogany | Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Amaranth |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | T-Type / T-Type | 3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $8,999 | $195 |
| Accessories | Certificate of Authenticity | — |
| Binding | 7-ply Top, 5-ply Back and Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer | — |
| Body shape | Les Paul | — |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | — |
| Bridge | Fishman Powerbridge | — |
| Bridge pickup | T-Type | — |
| Case | Gibson Deluxe Protector Case | — |
| Control Covers | Custom Shop Medallion and Black | — |
| Control Knobs | Black Speed | — |
| Controls | 2 Volume (for Neck and Bridge Pickups), Master Tone, Fishman Powerbridge Volume | — |
| End Of Board Width | 52.37mm / 2.06in | — |
| Finish | Black | Natural High Gloss |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Custom Block | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 305 mm |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Jack Plate Cover | Black | — |
| Joint | Glued In, Set Neck; Long Neck Tenon | — |
| Model | CSKH89LPCEBBC1 | — |
| Mounting Rings | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | T-Type | — |
| Nut | Corian | — |
| Nut width | 42.85mm / 1.69in | 42 mm |
| Output Jack | 1/4" | — |
| Pickup Covers | None | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way Toggle | — |
| Preamp | Fishman Powerchip Preamp - 9V Battery in Control Cavity | — |
| Profile | SlimTaper | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 648 mm |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Black Schaller S-Lock - Locking Strap Buttons in the Case | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | — |
| Switch Tip | Black | — |
| Switchwasher | Black with Gold Hot Stamp | — |
| Tailpiece | Stop Bar | — |
| Top wood | Plain Maple | Imitation rosewood veneer |
| Truss rod | Standard | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black Molded 2-ply Bell, Hot Stamp Les Paul Custom | — |
| Tuner Plating | Black | — |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic with Kidney Buttons | — |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Powerbridge Piezo Pickup | — |
| Weight Relief | None | — |
| Ex Factory Stringing | — | D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#) |
| Neck profile | — | C |
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