Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Gibson Les Paul Axcess Custom, Candy Apple Purple
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 Les Paul Axcess Custom, Candy Apple Purple wins on
- Lower price ($6,099 vs $7,799)
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Les Paul Axcess Custom, Candy Apple Purple |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Les Paul Axcess Custom, Candy Apple Purple |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Mahogany with Axcess Contoured Heel |
| 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) | 496R 4-Conductor / 498T 4-Conductor |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $6,099 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | ABR-1 |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | 498T 4-Conductor |
| 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; Tone Controls with Push/Pull Switches for Coil Splitting |
| 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) | 496R 4-Conductor |
| 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 | Gold Custom Keystone |
| Binding | — | Multi-ply Top and Headstock; Single-ply Fretboard |
| Body Finish | — | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | — | Les Paul |
| Body Styles | — | Les Paul |
| Control Covers | — | Black plus Custom Shop Switch Plate; Blank Switch Plate in Case |
| Control Knobs | — | Black Speed |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Mother of Pearl Custom Block |
| Fret Count | — | 22 |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo and Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | — | Glued In, Set Neck; Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | — | CUS18766 |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickup Covers | — | Gold |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-way Switchcraft |
| Profile | — | Custom Axcess, Contoured Heel |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | — | Black |
| Switchwasher | — | Black with Gold Hot Stamp |
| Tailpiece | — | Stop Bar |
| Truss rod | — | Standard |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | Molded, Blank |
| Tuner Plating | — | Gold |