Head to head
ESP Alex Skolnick Fr Black Aqua Sunburst vs ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst
The verdict
The ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst comes out ahead overall — 85 to 76 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP Alex Skolnick Fr Black Aqua Sunburst wins on
No standout advantage.
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst wins on
- Better build (98 vs 87)
- Better playability (81 vs 75)
- Better sound (82 vs 71)
- Better value (75 vs 66)
- Lower price ($7,799 vs $10,249)
Scorecard
| Metric | Alex Skolnick Fr Black Aqua Sunburst | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 76 | 85 |
| Build | 87 | 98 |
| Playability | 75 | 81 |
| Sound | 71 | 82 |
| Value | 66 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Alex Skolnick Fr Black Aqua Sunburst | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Honduras Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | 3Pc Maple |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Seymour Duncan Alex Skolnick Humbucker Set *(Pull Tone for Split) / Seymour Duncan Alex Skolnick Humbucker Set | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) / EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $10,249 | $7,799 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | Floyd Rose Original |
| Bridge pickup | Seymour Duncan Alex Skolnick Humbucker Set | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) |
| Case | EC Guitar Form Fit Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Case Included | Y | Y |
| Coa | Y | Y |
| Construction | Set-Thru | Set-Thru |
| Controls | Passive | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch |
| Finish | Black Aqua Sunburst | Black Aqua C-Burst |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 305mm |
| Hardware | Chrome | Black Nickel |
| Neck pickup | Seymour Duncan Alex Skolnick Humbucker Set *(Pull Tone for Split) | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) |
| Neck profile | U | Thin U |
| Nut | Locking | Locking |
| Nut width | 43mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Strap Button | Dunlop Straplok | ESP Strap Lock |
| Top wood | Flamed Maple | Solid Flamed Maple |
| Tuners | Grover | Gotoh Locking |