Head to head
ESP Gary Holt Ec Liquid Metal Lava 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 77 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP Gary Holt Ec Liquid Metal Lava wins on
No standout advantage.
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst wins on
- Better build (98 vs 87)
- Better sound (82 vs 68)
- Better value (75 vs 67)
- Lower price ($7,799 vs $8,349)
Scorecard
| Metric | Gary Holt Ec Liquid Metal Lava | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 77 | 85 |
| Build | 87 | 98 |
| Playability | 81 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 82 |
| Value | 67 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Gary Holt Ec Liquid Metal Lava | 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 | 1Pc Mahogany | 3Pc Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | EMG 89R Red *(Pull Neck Volume for Split) / EMG 81 Red | 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 | $8,349 | $7,799 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | Floyd Rose Original |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 81 Red | 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 | Active | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch |
| Finish | Liquid Metal Lava | Black Aqua C-Burst |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 305mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black Nickel |
| Neck pickup | EMG 89R Red *(Pull Neck Volume for Split) | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Locking | Locking |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | ESP Strap Lock |
| Top wood | Maple | Solid Flamed Maple |
| Tuners | Gotoh | Gotoh Locking |