Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Gibson Chuck Berry 1955 Gibson ES-350T, Antique Natural
The verdict
The ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst comes out ahead overall — 85 to 74 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 72)
- Better sound (82 vs 68)
- Better value (75 vs 64)
- Lower price ($7,799 vs $9,999)
Gibson Chuck Berry 1955 Gibson ES-350T, Antique Natural wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Chuck Berry 1955 Gibson ES-350T, Antique Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 74 |
| Build | 98 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 72 |
| Sound | 82 | 68 |
| Value | 75 | 64 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Chuck Berry 1955 Gibson ES-350T, Antique Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | 3-piece Maple/Walnut/Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 23.5" |
| 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) | Custom Dogear P-90 / Custom Dog-ear P90 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $9,999 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | No-Wire ABR-1 |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Custom Dog-ear P90 |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | Custom Shop ES-350T Case |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | — |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | 2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 2 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | 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) | Custom Dogear P-90 |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Locking | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42.85mm / 1.69in |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 597.0mm / 23.5in |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | — |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Kluson Single Line, Single Ring |
| Accessories | — | Certificate of Authenticity, Replica Strap, Replica Zuni Sun God Bolo Tie |
| Body Finish | — | Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina) |
| Body shape | — | ES-350 |
| Body Styles | — | ES |
| Control Knobs | — | Butyrate Gold Top Hats |
| End Of Board Width | — | 56.89mm / 2.24in |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Double Parallelogram |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Joint | — | Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | — | CS350VOANCBGH1 |
| Output Jack | — | Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | — | Black 5-Ply Wide Bevel |
| Pickup Covers | — | Black Dog-Ear P-90 |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-Way Switchcraft |
| Profile | — | Medium C |
| Saddle Material | — | Brass |
| Strap Buttons | — | Brass |
| String gauges | — | .011, .014, .018, .028, .038, .049 |
| Switch Tip | — | Replica Catalin Amber |
| Tailpiece | — | Engraved Wire Loop Trapeze |
| Truss rod | — | 2-way Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | Authentic Stepped 2-Ply |
| Tuner Plating | — | Gold |