Head to head
ESP HORIZON-II Nt Black 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 80 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP HORIZON-II Nt Black wins on
- Lower price ($5,499 vs $7,799)
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst wins on
- Better sound (82 vs 68)
- Better value (75 vs 70)
Scorecard
| Metric | HORIZON-II Nt Black | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 85 |
| Build | 97 | 98 |
| Playability | 81 | 81 |
| Sound | 68 | 82 |
| Value | 70 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | HORIZON-II Nt Black | 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 | Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid / Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/JB Hybrid | 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 | $5,499 | $7,799 |
| Bridge | Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece | Floyd Rose Original |
| Bridge pickup | Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/JB Hybrid | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Case Included | Y | Y |
| Coa | Y | Y |
| Construction | Neck-Thru | Set-Thru |
| Controls | Passive | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch |
| Finish | Black | Black Aqua C-Burst |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 305mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black Nickel |
| Neck pickup | Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Bone | Locking |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | ESP Strap Lock |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Gotoh Locking |
| Top wood | — | Solid Flamed Maple |