Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs Jackson USA Signature Gus G. Star
The verdict
The ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst comes out ahead overall — 85 to 70 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 71)
- Better playability (81 vs 75)
- Better sound (82 vs 71)
- Better value (75 vs 60)
Jackson USA Signature Gus G. Star wins on
- Lower price ($5,300 vs $7,799)
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | USA Signature Gus G. Star |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 70 |
| Build | 98 | 71 |
| Playability | 81 | 75 |
| Sound | 82 | 71 |
| Value | 75 | 60 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | USA Signature Gus G. Star |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Jackson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Quartersawn Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Pau Ferro |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| 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) | Blackfire Pickups Proteus Humbucker (Active) / Blackfire Pickups Proteus Humbucker (Active) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | $5,300 |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | TonePros® TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Gotoh® Tailpiece |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Blackfire Pickups Proteus Humbucker (Active) |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | Neck-Through-Body with Graphite Reinforcement and Scarf Joint |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | Volume |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | Ivory |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 12" (305 mm) |
| Hardware | Black Nickel | — |
| Neck pickup | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) | Blackfire Pickups Proteus Humbucker (Active) |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Locking | Bone |
| Nut width | 42mm | 1.650" (42 mm) |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 25.5" (64.77 cm) |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | — |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | Jackson® Sealed Die-Cast Locking |
| Body Binding | — | White |
| Body Finish | — | Gloss |
| Body shape | — | Star |
| Commodity Code | — | 9207901000 |
| Control Knobs | — | Numbered Black Speed |
| Fret Size | — | Jumbo |
| Hardware Finish | — | Chrome |
| Headstock | — | Jackson® Pointed 6-In-Line |
| Neck Binding | — | White |
| Neck Finish | — | Satin |
| Neck Plate | — | None |
| Orientation | — | Right-Hand |
| Pickguard | — | None |
| Pickup Covers | — | Chrome |
| Position Inlays | — | Mother of Pearl Big Block |
| Product Name | — | USA Signature Gus G. Star, Pau Ferro Fingerboard, Ivory |
| Series | — | Artist Signature |
| Special Electronics | — | Active Electronics |
| Strap Buttons | — | Dunlop® Dual-Locking |
| String Nut | — | Bone |
| Switching | — | 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup |
| Switch Tip | — | Black |
| Truss rod | — | Dual-Action Head Adjust |
| Truss Rod Nut | — | Truss Rod Adjustment at Nut |
| Truss Rod Wrench | — | Yes |