Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs PRS 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 Limited Edition
The verdict
The ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst comes out ahead overall — 85 to 69 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 67)
- Better sound (82 vs 68)
- Better value (75 vs 69)
PRS 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 Limited Edition wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 Limited Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 69 |
| Build | 98 | 71 |
| Playability | 81 | 67 |
| Sound | 82 | 68 |
| Value | 75 | 69 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 Limited Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | PRS |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.59" |
| 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) | PRS McCarty III / PRS McCarty III |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | — |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | PRS Two-Piece |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | PRS McCarty III |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | PRS ATA Multi-Fit Molded Case, D1 with 40th Anniversary Certificate |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | Set |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | Two Volume and Two Tone Controls with 3-Way Toggle Pickup Switch on Upper Bout |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | High-Gloss Nitro |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | 10" |
| Hardware | Black Nickel | Nickel |
| Neck pickup | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) | PRS McCarty III |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Pattern Vintage |
| Nut | Locking | Bone |
| Nut width | 42mm | 1 11/16" |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 24.594” |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | Maple |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | PRS Phase III Non-Locking Tuners with Wing Buttons |
| Fretboard inlay | — | "Old School" Birds |
| Headstock Logo | — | Pre-Factory Eagle |
| Headstock Veneer | — | Rosewood |
| Neck Depth At The 12 1 2 Fret | — | 63/64" |
| Neck Depth At The 1 2 Fret | — | 7/8" |
| Neck Width At The Body | — | 2 1/4" |
| Truss rod | — | PRS Double-Acting |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | “40th Anniversary SC56” |
| Tuning | — | Standard (6 String): E, A, D, G, B, E |