Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs ESP Stef B-8 Black
The verdict
The ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst comes out ahead overall — 85 to 79 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst wins on
- Better sound (82 vs 65)
- Better value (75 vs 69)
ESP Stef B-8 Black wins on
- Lower price ($6,149 vs $7,799)
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Stef B-8 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 79 |
| Build | 98 | 97 |
| Playability | 81 | 81 |
| Sound | 82 | 65 |
| Value | 75 | 69 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Stef B-8 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | ESP |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | JP |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | 3Pc Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 8 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 27" |
| Pickups | 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) | Fishman Fluence Stephen Carpenter 3-Voice Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $6,149 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | Hipshot Fixed w/ String Thru |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Fishman Fluence Stephen Carpenter 3-Voice Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | MH 8 String Guitar Form Fit Case |
| Case Included | Y | Y |
| Coa | Y | Y |
| Construction | Set-Thru | Neck-Thru |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | Active |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | Black |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 305mm |
| Hardware | Black Nickel | Black |
| Neck pickup | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Thin U |
| Nut | Locking | Graphite |
| Nut width | 42mm | 55mm |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 27" Baritone |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | ESP Strap Lock |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | — |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Gotoh Magnum Lock |
| Middle pickup | — | Fishman Fluence Stephen Carpenter 3-Voice Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) |