Head to head
ESP M-200DX Purple Burst vs ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY
The verdict
The ESP M-200DX Purple Burst and ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY are closely matched overall — 80 to 81 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP M-200DX Purple Burst wins on
- Lower price ($399 vs $599)
ESP VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | M-200DX Purple Burst | VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 81 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 84 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 83 | 84 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-200DX Purple Burst | VIPER-256 SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Poplar | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Roasted Maple | 3Pc Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Roasted Jatoba |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) / ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) | ESP Designed LH-150N / ESP Designed LH-150B |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $599 |
| Bridge | TOM w/ String Thru | TOM & Tailpiece |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-150B *(Pull Tone for Split) | ESP Designed LH-150B |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | VIPER GUITAR FORM FIT CASE |
| Case Included | N | N |
| Construction | Bolt-On | Set-Neck |
| Controls | Passive | Passive |
| Finish | Purple Burst | SEE THRU BLACK CHERRY |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 350mm |
| Hardware | Black | Black |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-150N *(Pull Tone for Split) | ESP Designed LH-150N |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Molded | Molded |
| Nut width | 43mm | 42mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Strap Button | Standard | Standard |
| Top wood | Poplar Burl | — |
| Tuners | LTD | LTD |