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Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM
VS
Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
73
Value
71
Score
76
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Playability
77
Sound
71
Build
64
Value
76
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
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Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence vs Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM

Reasons to Get
Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence over Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM

Decorative Top
Flame Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Neck Profile
Slim C vs Speed
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickups Brand
Fishman vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs None
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Reasons to Get
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM over Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence

Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Speed vs Slim C
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
76 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence vs Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern vs Jackson High-Output Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern vs Jackson High-Output Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Maple
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence vs Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Floyd Rose
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Retainer Bar
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM's 71 score, although not by a lot.

The Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM has the upper hand when it comes to playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM is the better choice.

The Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence meets only 3. 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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • 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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence Overview

  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
  • Slim C Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Mini Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM Overview

  • From Jackson's 2021 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • Weight between 7.5lbs (3.4kgs) and 7.8lbs (3.5kgs)
  • 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

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Woods Used in the Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence

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

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.

Woods Used in the Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM

Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Winner: Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. 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.

Pickups Quality

The Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence's and use them on any guitar:

The Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence's pickups are Active while the Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM's are Passive.

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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence.

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

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence comes with some kind of pickup modification: Multi-Voicing.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence's switch options
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM's switch 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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 71
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 82
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM
Pickups 55
Sustain 80
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 71

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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence compares to the Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM.

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.

Unfortunately, neither of them have a retainer bar for the nut, which would be a helpful addition. Without it, the 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: Tie.

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 Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence 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: Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence.

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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence's are Mini Grover 18:1 while the Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM's are Jackson Sealed Die-Cast

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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence 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 Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM 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: Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM
  • Locking Nut
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence
Quality of materials 75
Features 65
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 73
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM
Quality of materials 41
Features 80
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 64

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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence Nut Width
Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence Nut Width
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM Nut Width
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42.9mm (1.688''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0050000000000001'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence, 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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence and Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM'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 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence Neck Profile
Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence's neck profile
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM Neck Profile
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM'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 Zero Select Floyd Fluence has a C type of neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

The Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM, on the other hand, has a D neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

Fretboard Radius

Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence Fingerboard Radius
Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence's Fingerboard radius
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM's Compound Fretboard 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 Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

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.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence and Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 100
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence vs Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM
General Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM
Brand: Dean Jackson
Year: 2021 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Select X
Colors: Black Burst Yellow
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Eastern Mahogany Poplar
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed)
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Neck-Through
Tuners: Mini Grover 18:1 Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
Fretboard: Ebony Maple
Neck Material: 3 Piece Maple Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Ultra Diamond Black Sharkfin
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Slim C Speed
Frets: 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12" to 16"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active) Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker / Active) Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 1 1