Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Gibson Dave Grohl DG-335 Limited Edition, Alpine 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)
- Lower price ($7,799 vs $11,999)
Gibson Dave Grohl DG-335 Limited Edition, Alpine White wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Dave Grohl DG-335 Limited Edition, Alpine 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 | Dave Grohl DG-335 Limited Edition, Alpine White |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Three-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple |
| 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, Unpotted, with Rough Cast Vintage Spec Alnico 3 Magnet / Custombucker, Unpotted, with Rough Cast Vintage Spec Alnico 3 Magnet |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $11,999 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | Tone Pros ABR-1 |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Custombucker, Unpotted, with Rough Cast Vintage Spec Alnico 3 Magnet |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | Hardshell |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | — |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500k Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | Chrome |
| 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, Unpotted, with Rough Cast Vintage Spec Alnico 3 Magnet |
| 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 | Three-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Grover Mini Rotomatic |
| Back | — | Three-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple |
| Binding | — | Single-ply Cream; Top, Back, Sound Holes, and Fretboard |
| Body Finish | — | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | — | ES-335 |
| Body Styles | — | ES |
| Bracing | — | Spruce |
| Centerblock | — | Maple |
| Control Covers | — | None |
| Control Knobs | — | Gold Top Hat with Silver Reflector and Dial Pointer |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Cellulose Split Diamond |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Headstock | — | Dave Grohl Firebird/Trini Lopez |
| Joint | — | Glued In, Set Neck; Long Tenon |
| Model | — | DG335AWCH1 |
| Mounting Rings | — | Cream |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | — | None |
| Pickup Covers | — | Chrome |
| Pickup Selector | — | Switchcraft 3-way Toggle |
| Plastic Parts | — | Cream |
| Profile | — | Trini Lopez |
| Saddle Material | — | Nylon |
| Side | — | Three-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 - Aluminum |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | — | Cream |
| Switchwasher | — | None |
| Tailpiece | — | Tone Pros Locking Stop Bar |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | True Historic |
| Tuner Plating | — | Chrome |