Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Ibanez AR520HME
The verdict
The ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst comes out ahead overall — 85 to 65 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 61)
- Better playability (81 vs 67)
- Better sound (82 vs 68)
- Better value (75 vs 65)
Ibanez AR520HME wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | AR520HME |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 65 |
| Build | 98 | 61 |
| Playability | 81 | 67 |
| Sound | 82 | 68 |
| Value | 75 | 65 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | AR520HME |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Ibanez |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Macassar Ebony topOkoume backMaple |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Jatoba |
| 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) | Super 58 (H) / Super 58 (H) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | — |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | Gibraltar Performer bridge |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Super 58 (H) bridge pickupPassive/Alnico |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | — |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | — |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | — |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | — |
| Hardware | Black Nickel | Gold |
| Neck pickup | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) | Super 58 (H) neck pickupPassive/Alnico |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Locking | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 628mm/24.75" |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | — |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | — |
| A Width | — | 43mm at NUT |
| B Width | — | 56mm at 21F |
| C Thickness | — | 20mm at 1F |
| D Thickness | — | 22mm at 12F |
| Factory Tuning | — | 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E |
| Fret | — | Medium frets |
| Neck Type | — | AR3pc Maple neckSet-in neck (smooth heel) |
| Radius | — | 305mmR |
| Recommended Bag | — | IGB540-BK |
| String Gauge | — | .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046 |
| String Space | — | 10.5mm |
| Tailpiece | — | Quik Change Classic tailpiece |
| Top Back Body | — | Macassar Ebony topOkoume backMaple body |