Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Classic White
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)
Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Classic White wins on
- Lower price ($6,599 vs $7,799)
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Classic White |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Classic White |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | 2-piece Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Mahogany |
| 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 Alnico 3 (Unpotted) / Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $6,599 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | Historic Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell |
| 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 | Nickel |
| 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 Alnico 3 (Unpotted) |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Locking | Nylon |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42.8mm / 1.69in |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | — |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Kluson Deluxe |
| Body Finish | — | Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina) |
| Body shape | — | Explorer |
| Body Styles | — | Explorer |
| Control Knobs | — | Black Top Hats |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Cellulose Dot |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Headstock | — | 1958 Explorer |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | — | Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | — | 58MEXPPSL22874 |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | — | Multi-ply black |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-Way Switchcraft |
| Plastic Parts | — | Black |
| Profile | — | 50s Vintage |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Tailpiece | — | Stop Bar |