Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Gibson CS-356 Figured Top, Faded Cherry
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 CS-356 Figured Top, Faded Cherry wins on
- Lower price ($5,499 vs $7,799)
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | CS-356 Figured Top, Faded Cherry |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | CS-356 Figured Top, Faded Cherry |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Chambered Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Mahogany |
| 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) | 57 Classic / 57 Classic |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $5,499 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | ABR-1 |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | 57 Classic |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | Custom Shop Hardshell |
| 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 | 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) | 57 Classic |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Locking | Corian |
| Nut width | 42mm | 42.86mm / 1.69in |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | Figured Maple |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Grover Kidney |
| Binding | — | Multi-ply Cream, Top, Back and Headstock; Single-ply Fretboard |
| Body Finish | — | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | — | ES-335 |
| Body Styles | — | ES |
| Control Knobs | — | Black Top Hat |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Mother of Pearl Block |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Jack Plate Cover | — | Gold |
| Joint | — | Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | — | CS356FCGH1E |
| Mounting Rings | — | Black |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | — | CS-356 Bound Tortoise |
| Pickup Covers | — | Gold |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-Way Switchcraft |
| Profile | — | SlimTaper |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 |
| Switch Tip | — | Cream |
| Tailpiece | — | Stop Bar |
| Truss rod | — | Standard |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | 2-Ply Black/White |
| Tuner Plating | — | Gold |