Head to head
ESP M-200DX Blue Burst vs Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame
The verdict
The ESP M-200DX Blue Burst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 68 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP M-200DX Blue Burst wins on
- Better build (87 vs 65)
- Better playability (81 vs 75)
- Better sound (68 vs 63)
- Better value (83 vs 72)
Harley Benton CST-24HB Tortoise Flame wins on
- Lower price ($304 vs $399)
Scorecard
| Metric | M-200DX Blue Burst | CST-24HB Tortoise Flame |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 68 |
| Build | 87 | 65 |
| Playability | 81 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 63 |
| Value | 83 | 72 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-200DX Blue Burst | CST-24HB Tortoise Flame |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Harley Benton |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Poplar | — |
| Neck wood | Roasted Maple | Meranti |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | roasted jatoba |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | — |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) / ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) | 2 Roswell HAF AlNiCo-5 humbuckers |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $304 |
| Bridge | TOM w/ String Thru | DLX GTB wrapover |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) | — |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Passive | — |
| Finish | Blue Burst | Tortoise Flame, high-gloss |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350 mm |
| Hardware | Black | DLX chrome |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Molded | Graphite |
| Nut width | 43mm | 42 mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 635 mm |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Top wood | Poplar Burl | AAA flamed maple |
| Tuners | LTD | Deluxe, die-cast |
| Glued In 3 Piece Neck | — | Meranti |
| Style | — | Semi hollowbody with f-holes |
| Suitable Case | — | Art. #129350# (not included) |