Head to head
ESP Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic 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 75 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic 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 72)
- Better sound (82 vs 71)
- Better value (75 vs 65)
- Lower price ($7,799 vs $7,849)
Scorecard
| Metric | Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 85 |
| Build | 87 | 98 |
| Playability | 72 | 81 |
| Sound | 71 | 82 |
| Value | 65 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Gl Desert Eagle Black w/ Graphic | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Maple | Honduras Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Maple | 3Pc Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Arcane GL Desert Eagle Single Coil *(Pull Volume to Select) / Arcane GL Desert Eagle Humbucker Zebra Direct Mount *(Push Volume to Select) | 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 | $7,849 | $7,799 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original SE | Floyd Rose Original |
| Bridge pickup | Arcane GL Desert Eagle Humbucker Zebra Direct Mount *(Push Volume to Select) | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) |
| Case | ST-TE Guitar Form Fit Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Case Included | Y | Y |
| Coa | Y | Y |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Set-Thru |
| Controls | Passive | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch |
| Finish | Black w/ Desert Eagle Graphic | Black Aqua C-Burst |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 305mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black Nickel |
| Neck pickup | Arcane GL Desert Eagle Single Coil *(Pull Volume to Select) | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) |
| Neck profile | GL Original U | Thin U |
| Nut | Locking | Locking |
| Nut width | 43mm nut / 45mm neck width | 42mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | ESP Strap Lock |
| Tuners | Gotoh | Gotoh Locking |
| Top wood | — | Solid Flamed Maple |