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Head to head

Gibson Les Paul Custom with Figured Maple Heartwood Top, Gloss, Light Charcoal vs Harley Benton ST-70 RW

Gibson Les Paul Custom with Figured Maple Heartwood Top, Gloss, Light Charcoal
Electric$7,199
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 Les Paul Custom with Figured Maple Heartwood Top, Gloss, Light Charcoal 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 Les Paul Custom with Figured Maple Heartwood Top, Gloss, Light Charcoal 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 $7,199)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricLes Paul Custom with Figured Maple Heartwood Top, Gloss, Light CharcoalST-70 RW
Overall7565
Build8758
Playability7572
Sound6860
Value6575

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecLes Paul Custom with Figured Maple Heartwood Top, Gloss, Light CharcoalST-70 RW
BrandGibsonHarley Benton
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryUS—
Body woodMahoganyBasswood
Neck woodSolid MahoganyMaple
FretboardEbonyAmaranth
Strings66
Frets22—
Scale24.75"25.51"
Pickups490R / 498T3 Roswell STA Alnico-5 Vintage ST-Style Single Coils
Rating——
Price$7,199$195
AccessoriesCertificate of Authenticity Booklet—
Body shapeLes Paul—
BridgeABR-1 Tune-O-Matic—
Bridge pickup498T—
CaseCustom Shop Hardshell—
Control KnobsBlack Speed Knobs—
Controls2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 2 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness, Switchcraft Toggle Switch—
End Of Board Width56.89mm / 2.24in—
FinishGoldNatural High Gloss
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl Block—
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in305 mm
Fret Count22—
JointLong Tenon—
ModelLPCPSL22876—
Mounting RingsBlack—
Neck pickup490R—
NutCorian—
Nut width42.85mm / 1.69in42 mm
Output Jack1/4"—
PickguardBlack Multi-Ply—
Pickup CoversGold-Plated—
Pickup Selector3-Way Toggle—
ProfileModern Medium C—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in648 mm
Strap ButtonsBrass—
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046—
Switch TipCream—
SwitchwasherBlack—
TailpieceStop Bar—
Top woodFigured Maple HeartwoodImitation rosewood veneer
Truss rodAdjustable—
Truss Rod Cover2-Ply, Engraved Les Paul Custom—
Tuner PlatingGold—
TunersGrover Kidney—
Ex Factory Stringing—D'Addario .010 - .046 (Article no. #104555#)
Neck profile—C

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