Dean Guitar Company for Beginners: A Complete Guide

If a pointy Dean guitar is the reason you want to start playing at all, good — that's a perfectly fine reason. You don't need to know a single spec sheet term to fall for the shape. But before you spend anything, let's go through what actually matters for a first guitar, without the jargon and without pretending you need to understand it all on day one.

You Don't Need the Most Expensive One

The range offered by the Dean Guitar Company runs from an entry-level X Series right up to the USA Custom Shop, and as a first guitar, the top of that range is not where you want to be. The more affordable Classic and X Series models exist precisely for players who are still working out whether the instrument, or even the hobby, is for them. Nobody needs a custom-built guitar to learn their first chord.

The Shape Matters Less Than You Think — At First

Dean is famous for the angular ML, V, Z and Cadillac body shapes, and it's completely fine to want one because it looks brilliant. Just know that some of these, especially the V, can feel a bit awkward balanced on your lap while you're sitting down practising, which is where most beginners spend their early months. If comfort while learning matters more to you than looking the part on day one, a more conventional superstrat-style shape from Dean's EVO line might actually suit you better — you can always graduate to the pointier shapes once you're comfortable holding a guitar for an hour at a time.

What to Actually Check Before Buying

You don't need to memorise every spec, but a few things genuinely affect how enjoyable those first few months will be:

• Action (string height): lower action makes fretting easier on fingers that haven't built up any calluses yet. Ask the shop to check this before you leave.
• Neck feel: hold the guitar and see if your hand feels comfortable reaching around the neck — this matters more than any spec on paper.
• Weight: some of Dean's larger body shapes are heavier than a typical beginner instrument. If you're smaller or younger, this is worth trying before you buy, not after.
• Bridge type: a simple fixed bridge is one less thing to worry about while you're learning. Save the locking tremolo systems for later.

A Word on Getting Set Up Properly

A cheap guitar with a good setup will always feel better to play than an expensive one that's never been adjusted. If you can, budget a little extra for a professional setup after you buy — checking the action, the intonation and the neck relief. This one step fixes more "this is too hard" moments than any amount of practice will on its own.

You Will Need a Few Extras

Because several Dean shapes are genuinely unusual, don't assume a generic gig bag will fit. Check case compatibility before you buy, especially for V-shaped or heavily pointed models — the last thing you want is a guitar with nowhere safe to store it. Beyond that, you'll want a tuner, a strap, spare strings and, if you're going electric, a small practice amp.

Don't Worry About "Metal Guitar" Branding

Dean's reputation is tied tightly to hard rock and metal, thanks to players like Dimebag Darrell and Dave Mustaine, but that doesn't mean you have to play metal to enjoy one. Pickups, amp settings and your own playing shape the sound far more than the badge on the headstock. Learn your first chords and scales on whatever feels comfortable in your hands — you can always chase a specific tone once the basics feel natural.

A Little Bit of Where the Name Comes From

It's worth knowing a little context, too. The Dean Guitar Company was founded by Dean Zelinsky, who was still a teenager at the time, and officially traces itself back to 1977. That underdog origin story is part of why the brand still leans so hard into bold, individual-looking guitars — the whole identity started with someone wanting to stand out rather than blend in, which isn't a bad attitude to borrow as you start out yourself.

When You're Ready to Go Further

Once the basics feel comfortable and you're thinking about your next instrument, our complete buyer's guide to the Dean Guitar Company covers choosing by playing style and understanding the different tiers properly, and our overview of the brand is a good next read if you want the fuller history and lineup. It's also worth glancing at our list of common mistakes buyers make, so you don't repeat them on your second guitar.

The Bottom Line

Starting out with the Dean Guitar Company doesn't have to be complicated. Pick something comfortable and affordable, get it properly set up, and don't worry about matching your gear to a genre before you've even learned your first chord. The love of the shape got you interested — let the playing keep you there.

Frequently Asked Questions