Best Dean Electric Guitars With Locking Nut in 2024

Here are the top Dean electric guitars with Locking nut. Instead of the typical nut, this nut locks the strings in place and will make them stay in tune even after heavy tremolo use. This type of nut provides the best tune stability, but they also make the guitar more expensive.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Dean Kerry King V

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Dean Kerry King V
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 82
Sound 81
Build quality 65
Value for money 76
Overall Score 76

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Dean's 2020 Artist series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Hybrid bridge
  • Kerry King Spec. C Shaped Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2020 Artist series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Hybrid bridge
  • Kerry King Spec. C Shaped Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Kerry King V
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Boost Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

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2. Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence

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Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 82
Build quality 73
Value for money 71
Overall Score 76

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
  • Slim C Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Mini Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
  • Slim C Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Mini Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Dean ML Select Multiscale Kahler

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Dean ML Select Multiscale Kahler
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 82
Build quality 70
Value for money 66
Overall Score 76
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean ML Select Multiscale Kahler
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Dean ML Select 8 Multiscale Kahler

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Dean ML Select 8 Multiscale Kahler
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 82
Build quality 70
Value for money 66
Overall Score 76
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 8 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 8 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean ML Select 8 Multiscale Kahler
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Dean ML Select 7 Multiscale Kahler

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Dean ML Select 7 Multiscale Kahler
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 82
Build quality 70
Value for money 66
Overall Score 76
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 7 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 7 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean ML Select 7 Multiscale Kahler
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. Dean Exile Select Multiscale Kahler

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Dean Exile Select Multiscale Kahler
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 82
Build quality 70
Value for money 66
Overall Score 76
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Alder body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Alder body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Exile Select Multiscale Kahler
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

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7. Dean Exile Select 8 Multiscale Kahler

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Dean Exile Select 8 Multiscale Kahler
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 82
Build quality 70
Value for money 66
Overall Score 76

What our users think

  • Weight: Heavy (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 8 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Alder body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 8 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Alder body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Exile Select 8 Multiscale Kahler
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

8. Dean Exile Select 7 Multiscale Kahler

Compare
Dean Exile Select 7 Multiscale Kahler
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 82
Build quality 70
Value for money 66
Overall Score 76
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 7 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Alder body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 7 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Alder body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Multiscale Trem bridge
  • Slim D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Exile Select 7 Multiscale Kahler
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

9. Dean USA SplitTail Flame Top Floyd

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Dean USA SplitTail Flame Top Floyd
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 78
Sound 79
Build quality 72
Value for money 61
Overall Score 76

What our users think

  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2015 USA series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: USA DMT Baker Act (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: USA DMT Nostalgia (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original (German) bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2015 USA series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: USA DMT Baker Act (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: USA DMT Nostalgia (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original (German) bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean USA SplitTail Flame Top Floyd
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • 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 Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

10. Dean Exile Select Floyd Neck-Thru Archtop

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Dean Exile Select Floyd Neck-Thru Archtop
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 81
Build quality 68
Value for money 75
Overall Score 75
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2022 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 5pc Maple Walnut neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Classic (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Classic (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
  • Slim D Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2022 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 5pc Maple Walnut neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Classic (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Classic (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
  • Slim D Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Exile Select Floyd Neck-Thru Archtop
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock
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