Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs PRS Private Stock Singlecut Archtop
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 67)
- Better playability (81 vs 67)
- Better sound (82 vs 60)
- Better value (75 vs 65)
PRS Private Stock Singlecut Archtop wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Private Stock Singlecut Archtop |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 65 |
| Build | 98 | 67 |
| Playability | 81 | 67 |
| Sound | 82 | 60 |
| Value | 75 | 65 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Private Stock Singlecut Archtop |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | PRS |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Honduras Mahogany | Curly Maple |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | — |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony with Mother of Pearl Purfling (Optional: African Blackwood, Brazilian Rosewood, Cocobolo, East Indian Rosewood, Ebony, Figured Maple Ziricote |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25" |
| 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) | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | — |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | Private Stock Aluminum Bronze Archtop Bridge with Brass Saddles and Solid Ebony Tailpiece |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | — |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | — |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | — |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | Volume and Tone Control w/ 3-Way Toggle Pickup Switch |
| Finish | Black Aqua C-Burst | — |
| Fretboard radius | 305mm | — |
| Hardware | Black Nickel | Hybrid (Optional: Gold, Nickel) |
| Neck pickup | EMG 66TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Tone for Single Coil Mode) | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Pattern Regular |
| Nut | Locking | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 25" |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | Spruce Top (Optional: Sitka Spruce, Bearclaw Sitka Spruce) |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | PRS Phase III Locking |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Solid Mother of Pearl Birds with Paua Heart Center and Green Ripple Abalone and Paua Heart Vine |
| Middle Wood | — | Mahogany |