Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Gibson 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue, VOS, Double Gold
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 M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst wins on
- Better build (98 vs 87)
- Better playability (81 vs 75)
- Better sound (82 vs 68)
- Better value (75 vs 65)
Gibson 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue, VOS, Double Gold wins on
- Lower price ($4,999 vs $7,799)
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue, VOS, Double Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 75 |
| Build | 98 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 75 |
| Sound | 82 | 68 |
| Value | 75 | 65 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue, VOS, Double Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | 1-piece mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Solid Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| 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) | P-90 / P-90 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $4,999 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | P-90 |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | Lifton Reissue 5-Latch |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | — |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | 2 volume, 2 tone |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | Nickel |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 12 in. | 304.8 mm |
| Hardware | Black Nickel | — |
| Neck pickup | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) | P-90 |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Locking | Nylon |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42.85mm / 1.69in |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | 2-piece plain maple |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Kluson Single Line, Single Ring |
| Accessories | — | Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity |
| Binding | — | Single-ply top |
| Body Finish | — | VOS nitrocellulose lacquer |
| Body shape | — | Les Paul |
| Control Knobs | — | Gold Top Hats |
| End Of Board Width | — | 56.89mm / 2.24in |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Aged Cellulose Trapezoid |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Joint | — | Long tenon, hide glue fit |
| Model | — | LPR56VODGNH1 |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" |
| Pickup Covers | — | Soapbar, cream |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-way toggle |
| Profile | — | 50s Rounded Medium C |
| Saddle Material | — | Nickel-plated Brass |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | — | Amber Catalin |
| Switchwasher | — | Silkscreened Cellulose Acetate Butyrate |
| Tailpiece | — | Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar |
| Truss rod | — | Authentic 1950s No-Tube |
| Weight Relief | — | None |