Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Gibson 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue, Light Aged, Ebony
The verdict
The ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst comes out ahead overall — 85 to 77 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 74)
- Better value (75 vs 67)
- Lower price ($7,799 vs $11,499)
Gibson 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue, Light Aged, Ebony wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue, Light Aged, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 77 |
| Build | 98 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 75 |
| Sound | 82 | 74 |
| Value | 75 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue, Light Aged, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Korina |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Korina |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Indian 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) | Custombucker / Custombucker |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $11,499 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | ABR-1 |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Custombucker |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | Historic Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell Case |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | — |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | 2 Volume, 1 Tone, 500K CTS Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Phone Book Capacitor |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | Murphy Lab Aged Gold |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Hardware | Black Nickel | — |
| Neck pickup | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) | Custombucker |
| 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 | — |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Kluson with Celluloid Tips |
| Body Finish | — | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | — | Explorer |
| Body Styles | — | Explorer |
| Control Covers | — | Brown Explorer |
| Control Knobs | — | True Historic Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Pearloid Dot |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Headstock | — | 1958 Explorer |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl |
| Jack Plate Cover | — | '58 Explorer White 4-ply |
| Joint | — | Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | — | 58KEXPSL21645 |
| Mounting Rings | — | True Historic Black |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | — | '58 Explorer White 4-ply |
| Pickup Covers | — | True Historic Aged Gold |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-Way Switchcraft |
| Profile | — | 50s Vintage |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 - Brass |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | — | True Historic Amber |
| Tailpiece | — | Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar |
| Truss rod | — | Authentic 1950s No-Tube |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | True Historic Black |
| Tuner Plating | — | Gold |