Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $1,797

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Dean Kerry King V". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash sonic fury with the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin, an electric guitar that pays homage to the legendary thrash metal guitarist’s iconic style and sound. This sleek, V-shaped masterpiece is crafted with a mahogany body and a maple top, ensuring a warm tone with punchy mid-range clarity. Its horned headstock and vivid red crossed nail inlays on the ebony fretboard make a bold visual statement, instantly recognizable to any metal aficionado.

Underneath its commanding exterior lies the soul of a rock beast. The guitar is equipped with powerful EMG 85 and EMG 81 humbucking pickups, complete with a PA2 preamp boost. This combination promises a wide range of tones, from crisp cleans to earth-shattering distortion, giving you the ability to traverse the entire spectrum of metal genres. The Kahler Hybrid Tremolo system further elevates your performance, allowing you to execute dramatic dive bombs and soaring harmonic bends with precision and ease.

Designed for those who demand both style and substance, the Kerry King V features a maple set-through neck with a Special C profile, ensuring speed and comfort during even the most blistering solos. The Floyd Rose R2 nut and Grover tuners offer exceptional tuning stability, allowing you to focus entirely on your performance without distraction.

Whether you're a seasoned Slayer fan or a new devotee to the craft, the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin is your gateway to thrash metal glory.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body with maple top for enhanced tone
  • EMG 85 neck pickup and EMG 81 bridge pickup with PA2 preamp boost
  • Kahler Hybrid Tremolo system for dynamic playability
  • Maple set-through neck with Kerry King Special C profile
  • Floyd Rose R2 nut and Grover tuners for reliable tuning stability

Product specs

Body Type Solid Body
Body wood Mahogany
Body finish Satin
Neck shape C
Neck wood Maple
Joint Set-in
Scale length 24.75"
Truss rod Standard
Neck finish Satin
Material Ebony
Radius 12"
Fret size Jumbo
Number of frets 24
Nut width 1.614"
Configuration HH
Neck EMG Humbucker
Bridge EMG Humbucker
Pickup switch 3-Way
Special electronics Kill switch
Bridge type Tremolo/Vibrato
Bridge design Locking
Tuning machines Sealed High-ratio
Number of strings 6 String
Case Hardshell Case
Orientation Right Handed
Country of Origin Indonesia

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin guitar have?

The Dean Kerry King V Black Satin guitar features EMG 81 and 85 humbucking pickups, known for delivering high output and clarity, making it ideal for heavy metal and hard rock genres.

Is the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin suitable for advanced guitar players?

Yes, the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin is well-suited for advanced players, offering features like a set-in maple neck with a C shape profile, jumbo frets, and a Kahler Hybrid Tremolo system for enhanced playability and expressive performance.

What is the neck profile of the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin guitar?

The Dean Kerry King V Black Satin guitar has a C-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable grip for fast playing and smooth transitions across the fretboard.

Does the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin come with a case?

Yes, the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin guitar comes with a hardshell case, ensuring protection and easy transport for gigs and travel.

What is the body material of the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin guitar?

The body of the Dean Kerry King V Black Satin guitar is made from mahogany, which contributes to its warm tone and sustain, favored by many rock and metal guitarists.

Jason Stallworth

Jason Stallworth

Thrash Metal Guitar - Dean KERRY KING V Black Satin (Demo with Brad Mader)

Video thumbnail for Thrash Metal Guitar - Dean KERRY KING V Black Satin (Demo with Brad Mader) by Jason Stallworth

Thrash Metal Guitar - Dean KERRY KING V Black Satin (Demo with Brad Mader)

Jason Stallworth

Jason Stallworth

Video thumbnail for 2021 Dean Kerry King V Black Satin Guitar Slayer - Overview Close Up My Thoughts On Playing One. by ClanOfHouseCats

2021 Dean Kerry King V Black Satin Guitar Slayer - Overview Close Up My Thoughts On Playing One.

ClanOfHouseCats

ClanOfHouseCats

Video thumbnail for Guitar test | Dean Kerry King V Black Satin - Por Cristian Juárez by Zentralmedia

Guitar test | Dean Kerry King V Black Satin - Por Cristian Juárez

Zentralmedia

Zentralmedia

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Dean Kerry King V.

Mods and upgrades

  • Several users suggest replacing the stock pickups with a Seymour Duncan Dimebucker for a more aggressive tone, particularly for metal genres.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Dean King V is described as having a "beastly" sound, outperforming Jackson models for some users in terms of raw metal tone delivery.

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  • The neck on the Dean Kerry King V has been likened to the Ibanez RG Wizard neck, offering a familiar feel for those accustomed to thin neck profiles.

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  • A user noted that their Dean V's neck is on the thinner side compared to other models, offering enhanced playability for shredding.

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Features and functionality

  • The guitar's large headstock is noted for balancing the body, enhancing playability, especially when standing.

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  • The guitar includes a gain boost pre-amp via a silver switch, enhancing the sound significantly for metal tones.

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  • Grover tuners are used instead of locking tuners, noted as a minor inconvenience during restringing.

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  • This model utilizes a Kahler hybrid tremolo system, which has been positively received even by those accustomed to Floyd Rose systems.

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User experience

  • One owner praises the Dean Kerry King V for its standout red X fret inlay, which contributes to the guitar's unique aesthetic appeal.

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  • Owners report that the guitar's basswood body is prone to dents, indicating a need for careful handling.

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  • Despite its appearance, the guitar's weight is comparable to a Strat, making it manageable for extended playing sessions.

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  • Playing seated is uncomfortable due to the V shape, often requiring players to use the 'junk destroyer' position.

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Value and pricing

  • A few owners comment that despite the inexpensive price, the guitar maintains decent build quality and aesthetics for metal players.

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Build quality

  • Some users have experienced scratchy volume pots after extended use, suggesting potential wear over time.

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Use cases and applications

  • It's noted that the guitar excels in drop tunings like Drop C and Drop C# with thicker gauge strings for optimal performance.

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  • The guitar excels in producing metal tones with its EMG 81/85 pickups, particularly praised for their chugging capabilities.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Some owners recommend a setup with lower action and truss rod adjustments for optimal playability, especially for drop tunings.

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  • The jack can be loose upon arrival but is easily fixable.

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Critic Reviews

Dean Unveils the Kerry King V Black Satin - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

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Artist usage

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See how Kerry King uses Dean Kerry King V

Kerry King

Guitarist, Composer

Megadeth

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in this pic, you can see him using his dean signature guitar

Genre Usage

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