Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White
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)
- Lower price ($7,799 vs $8,999)
Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Layered Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | 5-piece Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through |
| 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) | Firebird Alnico 5 / Firebird Alnico 5 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $8,999 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | No-Wire ABR-1 |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Firebird Alnico 5 |
| 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, 500K CTS Potentiometers, Hand-Wired Harness |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | Nickel and 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) | Firebird Alnico 5 |
| 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 | — |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Deluxe Banjo Tuners |
| Binding | — | Fretboard 1-ply Cream |
| Body Finish | — | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | — | Firebird |
| Body Styles | — | Firebird |
| Control Covers | — | Black |
| Control Knobs | — | True Historic Black Top Hats with Silver Inserts |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Aged Celluloid Trapezoids |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Joint | — | Neck-Through Construction |
| Model | — | FB5JWAPWNH1 |
| Mounting Rings | — | Firebird Nickel |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | — | 3-Ply White/Black/White |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-Way Switchcraft |
| Profile | — | Medium C |
| Side | — | Solid Mahogany Wings |
| Strap Buttons | — | 3 - Upper Bout, Heel, and Bottom |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | — | Chrome |
| Tailpiece | — | Chrome Plated Aluminum Stop Bar |
| Truss rod | — | Standard |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | Black, No Stamp |
| Tuner Plating | — | Nickel |
| Weight Relief | — | None |