Swap
Swap
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top
ESP LTD SD-2
VS
Playability
75
Sound
79
Build
63
Value
72
Score
72
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability
85
Sound
76
Build
74
Value
73
Score
78
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Add more to comparison

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top vs LTD SD-2

Reasons to Get
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top over LTD SD-2

Decorative Top
Quilt Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Profile
V vs Extra Thin U
Great if you like to hang your thumb over the fretboard
Switch Positions
3 vs 0
More tone options
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Pickups
HH vs H
High output without hum
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
ESP LTD SD-2 over Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2022 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Retainer Bar
Yes vs None
Assists you so tuning doesn't change when locking the nut
Neck Profile
Extra Thin U vs V
Comfortable neck with more grip
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Pickups
H vs HH
Hum-free with more right hand freedom and sustain
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
73 vs 72
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top vs LTD SD-2

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan TB-5 vs Seymour Duncan Blackouts Metal
Different Bridge Pickup
Headstock
3-3 vs R6
Different Headstock

Shared Features
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top vs LTD SD-2

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Floyd Rose
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top Prices

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the ESP LTD SD-2 is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's 72 score, although not by a lot.

The ESP LTD SD-2 wins when it comes to playability, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top has the upper hand when it comes to sound.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the ESP LTD SD-2.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the ESP LTD SD-2 is the better choice.

The ESP LTD SD-2 meets 3 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top meets only 2. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

ESP LTD SD-2
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top Overview

  • From Dean's 2019 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan TB-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >

ESP LTD SD-2 Overview

  • From ESP LTD's 2022 Signature series
  • Sammy Duet Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Blackouts Metal (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Floyd Rose 1000 SE bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top has an HH configuration while the ESP LTD SD-2 has H pickups.

Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

On the other hand, A single H pickup gives you the advantage of having a little longer sustain (all other things being equal) because there will be less magnetic fields from other pickups affecting the strings' vibration. However, they also give you the least versatility because you won't have other pickups at different distances from the bridge to create different tones. A single humbucking pickup is used for noiseless high output, which is used mainly for Hard Rock genres.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

However, the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's and use them on any guitar:

The Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's pickups are Passive while the ESP LTD SD-2's are Active.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top gives you 3 switch options while the ESP LTD SD-2 gives you 0. This means that the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's switch options

The ESP LTD SD-2 doesn't come with pickup switching options.

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 61
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 79
ESP LTD SD-2
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 47
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 76

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top compares to the ESP LTD SD-2.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

However, only the ESP LTD SD-2 has a retainer bar for the locking nut, which is a helpful addition. Without it, the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's strings will change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'll have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly.

Winner: ESP LTD SD-2.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the ESP LTD SD-2 is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: ESP LTD SD-2.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's are Grover while the ESP LTD SD-2's are LTD

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the ESP LTD SD-2 comes with Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

Winner: ESP LTD SD-2.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD SD-2
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top
Quality of materials 55
Features 60
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 63
ESP LTD SD-2
Quality of materials 61
Features 80
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 74

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top Nut Width
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top Nut Width
ESP LTD SD-2 Nut Width
ESP LTD SD-2 Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top and ESP LTD SD-2's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 24.75".

This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top Neck Profile
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's neck profile
ESP LTD SD-2 Neck Profile
ESP LTD SD-2's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top has a V type of neck. This neck shape was more common during Fender's early years. Some people like it because they use their thumb over the edge of the fretboard to press the lower strings. It's rather thicker than most modern necks, so it's not usually used for playing fast solos.

The ESP LTD SD-2, on the other hand, has a U neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

Fretboard Radius

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top Fingerboard Radius
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's Fingerboard radius
ESP LTD SD-2 Fingerboard Radius
ESP LTD SD-2's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the ESP LTD SD-2's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the ESP LTD SD-2.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top favors large hands more than the ESP LTD SD-2.

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top:
Big Hands
Small Hands
ESP LTD SD-2:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top Frets Size
Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's Frets Size
ESP LTD SD-2 Frets Size
ESP LTD SD-2's Frets Size

The ESP LTD SD-2 has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top's Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 75
ESP LTD SD-2
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 90
Playability 85

Specs Side-by-Side

Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top vs LTD SD-2
General Dean ML Select Floyd Quilt Top LTD SD-2
Brand: Dean ESP LTD
Year: 2019 2022
Configuration: HH H
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Select Signature
Colors: Orange Burst Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Eastern Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) Floyd Rose 1000 SE
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Neck-Through
Tuners: Grover LTD
Fretboard: Ebony Macassar Ebony
Neck Material: 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany 3Pc Mahogany
Decoration: Pearloid Block Diamond-shaped mother-of-pearl
Scale Size: 24.75" 24.75"
Shape: V Extra Thin U
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" 13.78"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan TB-5 (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Blackouts Metal (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 0 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 1 0