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EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple
ESP LTD SD-2
VS
Playability
73
Sound
80
Build
63
Value
77
Score
72
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Playability
85
Sound
76
Build
74
Value
73
Score
78
FIND IT ON:
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EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple vs LTD SD-2

Reasons to Get
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple over LTD SD-2

Decorative Top
Spalted Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 13.78"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Wolfgang Backshape vs Extra Thin U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Switch Positions
3 vs 0
More tone options
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Pickups
HH vs H
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.88'' (22.4mm) vs 0.827'' (21mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
77 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
ESP LTD SD-2 over EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Neck Profile
Extra Thin U vs Wolfgang Backshape
Comfortable neck with more grip
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
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
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.827'' (21mm) vs 0.88'' (22.4mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Other Key Differences
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple vs LTD SD-2

Bridge Pickup
Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking vs Seymour Duncan Blackouts Metal
Different Bridge Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Mahogany
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs R6
Different Headstock

Shared Features
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple vs LTD SD-2

Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Floyd Rose
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Retainer Bar
  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand

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

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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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple's 72 score, although not by a lot.

The ESP LTD SD-2 wins when it comes to playability, build quality. On the other hand, the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple has the upper hand when it comes to sound, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple is the better choice.

The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the ESP LTD SD-2 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

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • 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.

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple Overview

  • From EVH's 2022 Wolfgang Standard series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Spalted Maple top
  • Basswood body
  • Baked Maple neck
  • Baked Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Special Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Wolfgang Backshape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • EVH-Branded tuners
  • Weight between 7lbs (3.2kgs) and 7.15lbs (3.2kgs)
  • 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 the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the ESP LTD SD-2

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: ESP LTD SD-2.

Pickup Configuration

The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple 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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple'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: EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple.

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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple gives you 3 switch options while the ESP LTD SD-2 gives you 0. This means that the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple 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.

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple pickups switch and push knobs diagram
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple'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: EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple.

Final Sound Quality Scores

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 80
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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple 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.

Both models come with a retainer bar, which is helpful when changing the strings on a double-locking tremolo. Without it, the strings would change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'd 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 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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple's are EVH-Branded 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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple has a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

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
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • 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

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple
Quality of materials 45
Features 75
Quality Control 70
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

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple Nut Width
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple 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 ESP LTD SD-2 has the wider nut with 42mm (1.654'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 0.7mm (0.029'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the ESP LTD SD-2, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple's Scale Length
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple's Scale Length
ESP LTD SD-2's Scale Length
ESP LTD SD-2's 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.

The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple has the longest scale: 25.5". The ESP LTD SD-2 is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

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

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple Neck Profile
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple'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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple 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 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

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple Fretboard Compound Radius
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple's Compound Fretboard 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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple 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.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the ESP LTD SD-2 favors large hands more than the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple:
Big Hands
Small Hands
ESP LTD SD-2:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple Frets Size
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple'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 EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple'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

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
ESP LTD SD-2
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 90
Playability 85

Specs Side-by-Side

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple vs LTD SD-2
General EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Spalted Maple LTD SD-2
Brand: EVH ESP LTD
Year: 2022 2022
Configuration: HH H
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Wolfgang Standard Signature
Colors: Natural Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Mahogany
Bridge: EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Special Locking Tremolo Floyd Rose 1000 SE
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Neck-Through
Tuners: EVH-Branded LTD
Fretboard: Baked Maple Macassar Ebony
Neck Material: Baked Maple 3Pc Mahogany
Decoration: Black Dot Diamond-shaped mother-of-pearl
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: Wolfgang Backshape Extra Thin U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm) 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 13.78"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 41.3mm (1.625'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Blackouts Metal (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 0 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 0