Head to head
ESP M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst vs PRS Santana Retro
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 67)
- Better playability (81 vs 70)
- Better sound (82 vs 74)
- Better value (75 vs 70)
PRS Santana Retro wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Santana Retro |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 70 |
| Build | 98 | 67 |
| Playability | 81 | 70 |
| Sound | 82 | 74 |
| Value | 75 | 70 |
Full specifications
| Spec | M-II Ctm Fr Black Aqua C-Burst | Santana Retro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.5" |
| 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) | Santana / Santana |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,799 | — |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original | PRS Patented Tremolo, Gen III |
| Bridge pickup | EMG 57TW Brushed Black Chrome Direct Mount *(Pull Volume for Single Coil Mode) | Santana |
| Case | MH Guitar Form Fit Case | Hardshell Case |
| Case Included | Y | — |
| Coa | Y | — |
| Construction | Set-Thru | Set |
| Controls | Volume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/3-way Switch | Volume and Push/Pull Tone Control w/ 3-Way Toggle Pickup Switch |
| 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) | Santana |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Santana Retro |
| Nut | Locking | PRS |
| Nut width | 42mm | 1 11/16" |
| Scale length | 25.5" | 24.5" |
| Strap Button | ESP Strap Lock | — |
| Top wood | Solid Flamed Maple | Carved Figured Maple |
| Tuners | Gotoh Locking | PRS Phase III Locking |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Birds |
| Fret Wire | — | PRS Jumbo Fret Wire |
| Headstock Logo | — | Eagle |
| Height Of Fret Crown | — | .055" |
| Neck Depth At The 12 1 2 Fret | — | 31/32" |
| Neck Depth At The 1 2 Fret | — | 7/8" |
| Neck Width At The Body | — | 2 1/4" |
| Options | — | 10 Top with Hybrid Hardware |
| Truss rod | — | PRS Double-Acting |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | Santana "Om" Symbol |
| Tuning | — | Standard (6 String): E, A, D, G, B, E |
| Width Of Fret Crown | — | .110" |