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Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
Sterling Mariposa
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Playability
78
Sound
82
Build
69
Value
71
Score
76
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Playability
70
Sound
66
Build
60
Value
75
Score
65
FIND IT ON:
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Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber vs Sterling Mariposa Specs Comparison
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Sterling Mariposa
General
Brand: Strandberg Sterling
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Boden Standard Artist
Colors: Green, Yellow White, Green, Pink
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: American Basswood Nyatoh
Bridge: Strandberg EGS Rev 7 fixed & string locks Vintage Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: At bridge Locking
Fretboard: Maple Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: Offset Luminlay Dots White Pearloid Block Inlays
Scale Size: 25.5" to 25" 25.5"
Shape: EndurNeck Omar Rodríguez-López
Thickness: 1st Fret: 1.2'' (30.5mm) - 12th Fret: 1.1'' (27.9mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 20" 12"
Nut: Locking Compensated
Nut Width: 36mm (1.417'') 41.9mm (1.65'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Strandberg custom OEM bridge humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Strandberg custom OEM neck humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Series Split None
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 1 0
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Sterling Mariposa pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Sterling Mariposa's switch options

Reasons to Get
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber over Sterling Mariposa

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Scale Length
25.5" to 25" vs 25.5"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Pickups Brand
Strandberg vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Pickup Mods
Series Split vs None
Connects pickups in series to imitate a humbucker
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.417'' (36mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
20'' (508mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Sterling Mariposa over Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber

Scale Length
25.5" vs 25.5" to 25"
Easier to adapt to
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.417'' (36mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 20'' (508mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
75 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber vs Sterling Mariposa

Bridge Pickup
Strandberg custom OEM bridge humbucker vs Sterling Humbucker
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Strandberg custom OEM neck humbucker vs Sterling Humbucker
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Nyatoh
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
Headless vs 4-2
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Locking vs Compensated
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber vs Sterling Mariposa

Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

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

Price History Comparison

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Prices

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    Hand Size Comfortability

    And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber favors large hands more than the Sterling Mariposa. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Sterling Mariposa:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    Both meet 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

    New Player Friendliness

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners

    New Player Friendliness

    Sterling Mariposa
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Locking tuners
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable shape
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Short scale

    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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber

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

    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.

    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 Sterling Mariposa

    Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Roasted Maple
    Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
    Rosewood
    Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
    Nyatoh

    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.

    Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

    Nyatoh has been replacing Mahogany for guitar building. It's fairly hard, durable, more sustentable and common than Mahogany. Find out more about Nyatoh.

    Winner: Sterling Mariposa.

    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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Sterling Mariposa. 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 Heavy Metal and similar genres.

    Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

    Winner: Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

    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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber gives you 5 switch options while the Sterling Mariposa gives you 3. This means that the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

    Only the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber comes with some kind of pickup modification: Series Split.

    The Series Split feature allows it to split and connect some of the pickups in series. When wired in series, the resulting tone is similar to a Humbucker's. The pickups will work together and produce a fuller tone with more output than single-coils, but less than Humbuckers.

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

    Winner: Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    Pickups 85
    Sustain 75
    Versatility 82
    Tuning Stability 85
    Sound 82
    Sterling Mariposa
    Pickups 60
    Sustain 65
    Versatility 64
    Tuning Stability 75
    Sound 66

    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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber compares to the Sterling Mariposa.

    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.

    The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has a Locking nut. 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.

    On the other hand, the Sterling Mariposa comes with a Compensated nut. Each hole where the string sits at the nut is cut at a different distance from the bridge, which compensates for the different amount of tension that each string is subject to. This fixes most intonation issues across the fretboard, so it gives great tuning stability.

    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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber 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: Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

    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.

    The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

    On the other hand, the Sterling Mariposa's is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

    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

    The Sterling Mariposa has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

    Nevertheless, the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

    Winner: Sterling Mariposa.

    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.

    Both have 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.

    Winner: Tie.

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

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    • Stainless Steel Frets
    • Locking Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Series Split Pickups
    • Luminescent Inlay
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Expensive Woods
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Tremolo
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Sterling Mariposa
    • Locking Tuners
    • Expensive Wood
    • Compensated Nut
    • Tremolo
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • 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 Strap Lock

    Final Build Quality Scores

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    Quality of materials 61
    Features 65
    Quality Control 80
    Build Quality 69
    Sterling Mariposa
    Quality of materials 51
    Features 65
    Quality Control 65
    Build Quality 60

    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

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Nut Width
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Nut Width
    Sterling Mariposa Nut Width
    Sterling Mariposa Nut Width

    The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Sterling Mariposa has the wider nut with 41.9mm (1.65'') vs 36mm (1.417''). This is a 5.9mm (0.233'') difference

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

    Scale Length

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Scale Length
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Scale Length
    Sterling Mariposa's Scale Length
    Sterling Mariposa'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.

    In this case, the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber features a multi-scale of 25.5" to 25" while the Sterling Mariposa has a regular scale of 25.5".

    A multi-scale fingerboard incorporates two scale lengths at the same time. This is present in some instruments with long scale to give a different tension to the lower strings than the higher strings. The thickest strings need more tension to avoid fret buzz (especially when tuned low), so the scale is longer for these strings, while the thinnest strings will need less tension (because they have a lower gauge), so they have a shorter scale to reduce stiffness for bends.

    It can feel awkward if you've never played a multi-scale because the frets will have more separation for the higher strings, but a lot of people love their versatility.

    On the other hand, the Sterling Mariposa's 25.5" regular scale means it has a fixed scale for all the strings.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

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Neck Profile
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's neck profile
    Sterling Mariposa Neck Profile
    Sterling Mariposa'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.

    Both the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber and the Sterling Mariposa have a C-shaped 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.

    Fretboard Radius

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Fingerboard Radius
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Fingerboard radius
    Sterling Mariposa Fingerboard Radius
    Sterling Mariposa'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 Sterling Mariposa's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber'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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

    Fret Size

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber and Sterling Mariposa Frets Size
    Both have a similar Medium Jumbo fret size

    Both have a Medium Jumbo fret size. These are slightly shorter than full Jumbo frets, so you'll still feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. However, they interfere less with your fretting hand than medium-size frets. This is a good size if you like easy-to-press frets, but would still like to feel a bit of the fretboard when playing.

    Final Playability Scores

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
    Chord Playability 75
    Solo Playability 80
    Playability 78
    Sterling Mariposa
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
    Chord Playability 70
    Solo Playability 70
    Playability 70