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Washburn Nele Standard
Washburn Nele Deluxe
VS
Playability
68
Sound
72
Build
69
Value
60
Score
70
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Playability
68
Sound
72
Build
72
Value
56
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
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Washburn Nele Standard vs Nele Deluxe

Reasons to Get
Washburn Nele Standard over Nele Deluxe

Value Score
60 vs 56
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Washburn Nele Deluxe over Nele Standard

Decorative Top
Figured Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns

Other Key Differences
Washburn Nele Standard vs Nele Deluxe

Neck Wood
Maple vs Birdseye Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Birdseye Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
Washburn Nele Standard vs Nele Deluxe

Bridge Pickup
Bill Lawrence L-250
Same Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack (STK-T1N)
Same Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Ash
Same Body Wood
Headstock
R6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
6
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
0
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.73'' (18.5mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.89'' (22.6mm)
Same neck comfortability
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
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
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

Washburn Nele Deluxe Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Washburn Nele Deluxe is probably the better product overall with its final score of 71 compared to the Washburn Nele Standard's 70 score, although not by a lot.

The Washburn Nele Deluxe wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the Washburn Nele Standard has the upper hand when it comes to 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?

Both meet 4 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

Washburn Nele Standard
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Washburn Nele Deluxe
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

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.

Washburn Nele Standard Overview

  • From Washburn's 2020 Nele series
  • Nuno Bettencourt Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Birdseye Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Bill Lawrence L-250 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack (STK-T1N) (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 6-way Switch
  • Gotoh GTC201 bridge
  • Washburn Nele Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Grover Exclusive 18:1 Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Washburn Nele Deluxe Overview

  • From Washburn's 2020 Nele series
  • Nuno Bettencourt Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Figured Maple top
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Birdseye Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Bill Lawrence L-250 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack (STK-T1N) (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 6-way Switch
  • Gotoh GTC201 bridge
  • Washburn Nele Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Grover Exclusive 18:1 Gold 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

Birdseye Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Birdseye Maple
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

This wood has beautiful patterns only found in specific types of maple.

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Woods Used in the Washburn Nele Standard

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 Washburn Nele Deluxe

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

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: Washburn Nele Deluxe.

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

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.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Washburn Nele Standard's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Washburn Nele Deluxe's online:

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: Tie.

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.

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

They both share the following switching options:

Washburn Nele Standard and Washburn Nele Deluxe pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Washburn Nele Standard and Washburn Nele Deluxe'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: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Washburn Nele Standard
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 52
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 72
Washburn Nele Deluxe
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 52
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 72

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 Washburn Nele Standard compares to the Washburn Nele Deluxe.

Country of Origin

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

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

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 Black Tusq XL nuts. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

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.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

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: 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.

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. Both come with Grover Exclusive 18:1 Gold.

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.

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
Washburn Nele Standard
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn Nele Deluxe
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Washburn Nele Standard
Quality of materials 61
Features 50
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 69
Washburn Nele Deluxe
Quality of materials 65
Features 50
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 72

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

Washburn Nele Standard Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 43mm (1.693'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Washburn Nele Standard and Washburn Nele Deluxe'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

Washburn Nele Standard Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same 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 Washburn Nele Standard and the Washburn Nele Deluxe 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

Washburn Nele Standard Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same 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.

Both the Washburn Nele Standard and the Washburn Nele Deluxe have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

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 .

Washburn Nele Standard:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Washburn Nele Deluxe:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Washburn Nele Standard and Washburn Nele Deluxe Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium fret size

Both have a Medium fret size. If you like feeling the fretboard when you play, but also appreciate some easiness to press down the frets, this size offers a good balance for that.

Final Playability Scores

Washburn Nele Standard
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 70
Playability 68
Washburn Nele Deluxe
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 70
Playability 68

Specs Side-by-Side

Washburn Nele Standard vs Nele Deluxe
General Washburn Nele Standard Nele Deluxe
Brand: Washburn Washburn
Year: 2020 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States United States
Series: Nele Nele
Colors: Natural Natural
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Swamp Ash Swamp Ash
Bridge: Gotoh GTC201 Gotoh GTC201
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Grover Exclusive 18:1 Gold Grover Exclusive 18:1 Gold
Fretboard: Birdseye Maple Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Birdseye Maple
Decoration: Dots Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Washburn Nele Washburn Nele
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.73'' (18.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm) 1st Fret: 0.73'' (18.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Nickel Silver 22 Medium Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Bill Lawrence L-250 (Humbucker / Passive) Bill Lawrence L-250 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack (STK-T1N) (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack (STK-T1N) (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 6 Way 6 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 0 0