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Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q
VS
Playability
68
Sound
78
Build
67
Value
71
Score
71
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Playability
80
Sound
78
Build
68
Value
75
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
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Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q Specs Comparison
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q
General
Brand: Epiphone Jackson
Year: 2022 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 7 7
Made in: China Indonesia
Series: Artist Collection Artist Signature
Colors: White, Black White
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic Floyd Rose 1000 Series 7-String Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed)
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Neck-Through
Tuners: Grover Locking Mini Rotomatic with Tulip Buttons Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple
Decoration: Custom Blocks Pearloid Sharkfin
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: SpeedTaper D Speed
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12" to 16"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Locking
Nut Width: 48mm (1.89'') 44.5mm (1.75'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Fishman MKH Fluence Ceramic (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1B 7 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman MKH Fluence Alnico (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1N 7 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split, Multi-Voicing None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 2 0
Hardware
Strap Lock: Yes Yes
Hardware Color: Gold Black
Show Diagrams Comparison
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String's switch options
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q's switch options

Reasons to Get
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String over Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Release Year
2022 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickup Mods
Multiple vs None
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 0
More tone control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.89'' (48mm) vs 1.75'' (44.5mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q over Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Quilt Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.75'' (44.5mm) vs 1.89'' (48mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
75 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q

Bridge Pickup
Fishman MKH Fluence Ceramic vs Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1B 7
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman MKH Fluence Alnico vs Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1N 7
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Headstock
4-3 vs R7
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
7
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Neck Profile Type
D
Thin and flat neck for playing fast

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q Prices

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Hand Size Comfortability

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String favors large hands more than the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q.

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

However, the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q's online:

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String's pickups are Passive while the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q's are Active.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split, Multi-Voicing.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 68
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 78
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 78

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String compares to the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String is built in China while the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q is made in Indonesia.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q.

Tuners

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Nevertheless, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

Winner: Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q comes with Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

Winner: Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar

Final Build Quality Scores

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String
Quality of materials 61
Features 75
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 67
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q
Quality of materials 45
Features 85
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 68

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String Nut Width
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String has the wider nut with 48mm (1.89'') vs 44.5mm (1.75''). This is a 3.5mm (0.14'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String and Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String Neck Profile
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String's neck profile
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q Neck Profile
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String and the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q have a D-shaped neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

Fretboard Radius

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String Fingerboard Radius
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String's Fingerboard radius
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Fret Size

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String Frets Size
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String's Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q's Frets Size

The Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 70
Playability 68
Jackson Pro Series Signature Corey Beaulieu King V KV7Q
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 100
Playability 80