Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Gibson Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355, Wine Red
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 Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355, Wine Red wins on
- Lower price ($6,999 vs $7,799)
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355, Wine Red |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355, Wine Red |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Layered Maple |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | 3-piece Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| 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) | 68 Custombucker Alnico 5 / 68 Custombucker Alnico 5 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $6,999 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | Tune-O-Matic |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | 68 Custombucker Alnico 5 |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | Custom 1970s-style ES-335 Case with Red Lining |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | — |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500K CTS Audio Taper Potentiometers, Ceramic Capacitors, 6-Position Mono Varitone |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | 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) | 68 Custombucker Alnico 5 |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Locking | Corian |
| 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 | Grover Keystone |
| Accessories | — | Captain's Hat, Conduit Bracket/Finger Holder (with instructions), Certificate of Authenticity |
| Back | — | Plain Maple Laminate |
| Binding | — | 7-ply Top, 3-ply Back, 5-ply Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard and F-Holes |
| Body Finish | — | Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina) |
| Body shape | — | ES-335 |
| Body Styles | — | ES |
| Bracing | — | Red Spruce |
| Centerblock | — | Lightweight Maple |
| Control Knobs | — | Black Witch Hats with Gold Inserts, Chicken Head Knob (Varitone) |
| End Of Board Width | — | 52.37mm / 2.06in |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Custom Inlays |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Closed B & O Gibson logo, and Custom Split Diamond, both in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | — | Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | — | CBES355ULWRGM1 |
| Mounting Rings | — | Black |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | — | Bound Tortoiseshell |
| Pickup Covers | — | True Historic Aged Gold |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-Way Switchcraft |
| Profile | — | Artist Profile |
| Side | — | Plain Maple Laminate |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 - Brass |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | — | Cream |
| Switchwasher | — | Gold Varitone Plate |
| Tailpiece | — | Long Maestro Vibrola |
| Truss rod | — | Reissue No-Tube |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | Black, Engraved Stereo |
| Tuner Plating | — | Aged Gold |