Dean Guitars Kerry King VX BKS
The Dean Guitars Kerry King VX BKS pairs a distinctive V-style body with a straightforward two-humbucker layout and 24 jumbo frets. Confirm the pickup type with the seller before buying, since the listing gives conflicting information.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Dean Guitars Kerry King VX BKS review
The Dean Guitars Kerry King VX BKS is a black V-style signature guitar associated with Kerry King of Slayer. Its listed specifications describe a bolt-on maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24 jumbo frets, and two passive DMT humbucker pickups. The model is listed as available since August 2026, with an item number of 650289 and a stated price of 648. The supplied information does not identify a currency, so that figure should be treated as a price listing without assuming a specific market or region.
No customer reviews are available for this product. This assessment therefore focuses on the published construction and hardware details. It does not make claims about sound quality, comfort, setup, reliability, or performance in use, since those cannot be established from the specifications alone.
Body, neck, and fingerboard
The body is made from nato and has no listed top. Its V-style outline and matte black finish establish the model's visual identity, while the hardware is also specified in black. The information does not give body dimensions, weight, or finish material, so those details cannot be assessed here.
The bolt-on neck is maple, with a Kerry King Spec "C" profile. That designation identifies the stated neck shape, but the provided data does not include measurements for its thickness or shoulder contours. Players considering the guitar should treat the profile name as a model-specific description rather than a complete account of how it will feel in hand.
The rosewood fingerboard has a 305 mm (12-inch) radius and pearloid diamond inlays. A 12-inch radius is a useful reference when comparing fingerboard curvature with other guitars, although it does not by itself establish playability or setup. The guitar has 24 jumbo frets. The fret size is specified, but fret material and precise dimensions are not.
Scale and playing layout
The scale length is 629 mm, also given as 24.75 inches. This is a shorter scale than a 25.5-inch design, but the published figures alone do not indicate how a particular string gauge will feel or how the guitar will respond to a chosen tuning. The listed string set is.009 to.042, which gives buyers a starting point for understanding the factory specification. The data does not confirm whether that gauge is installed on every individual instrument.
The nut width is 41.3 mm, or 1.625 inches. Together with the 24-fret layout and the stated neck profile, this gives a more concrete outline of the neck's dimensions than the profile name alone. Still, personal fit depends on hand size and playing preference, and there are no user reports or measurements beyond those listed to supplement the figures.
Pickups and controls
The VX BKS uses two passive DMT humbuckers, one in the bridge position and one in the neck position. The general specification also labels the configuration "HH" and marks active pickups as present. That conflicts with the detailed pickup description, which explicitly identifies both DMT humbuckers as passive. The detailed specification is clearer about the pickup type, but the inconsistency should be confirmed with the seller or manufacturer before purchase.
Controls consist of one volume knob, one tone knob, and a three-way toggle switch. The listed arrangement provides separate pickup selection and basic level and tone adjustment. No coil-splitting function, onboard preamp, or other switching option is specified, so none should be assumed. The supplied information also does not give pickup output, magnet type, or wiring details.
Bridge, hardware, and included items
A Tune-O-Matic bridge is listed, along with sealed die-cast machine heads. No tremolo is included. This is a fixed-bridge configuration according to the supplied data, but the specifications do not identify the tailpiece type or describe adjustment ranges. Black hardware matches the matte black finish.
The guitar is listed without a case and without a bag. Buyers who need protective storage should account for that separately and check compatibility with the V-style body shape. The sales unit is one piece.
Who should consider it
On paper, the Kerry King VX BKS is aimed at players looking for a V-style signature instrument with a maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24 jumbo frets, and a fixed bridge. Its passive humbuckers and straightforward two-control layout are clearly stated, though the active-pickup field creates a specification conflict that deserves clarification.
The listed price is 648, with no currency supplied. Before ordering, verify the price in the seller's currency, confirm the pickup specification, and check whether a case or bag is available separately. With no customer feedback available, an in-person evaluation is the best way to judge its weight, balance, neck feel, and amplified sound. Those remain open questions rather than established qualities of the model.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Kerry King signature V-style design with a matte black finish.
- 24 jumbo frets, a 12-inch fingerboard radius, and a 24.75-inch scale.
- Two DMT humbuckers, a three-way switch, and separate volume and tone controls.
What bugged me
- The listing conflicts on pickup type: one specification says active, while the detailed description identifies passive DMT humbuckers.
- No case or gig bag is included.
- The fixed Tune-O-Matic bridge does not provide tremolo effects.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for players who want a Kerry King signature V-style guitar, 24 jumbo frets, and a two-humbucker layout. Consider it if a fixed bridge and matte black finish suit your preferences.Look elsewhere if
Look elsewhere if you need a tremolo, an included case, or a more versatile pickup configuration. Buyers who require confirmed pickup specifications should resolve the listing discrepancy before ordering.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Shape
- V-Style
- Color
- Black
- Body
- Nato
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 24
- Scale
- 629 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Active pickups
- Yes
- Tremolo
- None
- Including case
- No
- Incl. bag
- No
- Artist
- KERRY KING
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Are the pickups active or passive?
The listing is inconsistent: its general specifications say active pickups, while the detailed description names two passive DMT humbuckers. Ask the seller to confirm the fitted pickups before ordering.
Does the guitar include a case or gig bag?
No. The supplied information says that neither a case nor a gig bag is included.
Does it have a tremolo?
No. It has a Tune-O-Matic bridge, and the specifications list no tremolo.
What are the scale length and number of frets?
It has a 24.75-inch scale length and 24 jumbo frets.
What playing styles is it suited to?
Its Kerry King signature design and two-humbucker configuration make it a plausible choice for rock and metal. The listed specifications do not establish its performance in any particular style.
The last word from the bench
This signature model offers a focused specification for players drawn to Kerry King's V-style design and a dual-humbucker setup. Its 24 jumbo frets, fixed bridge, and simple controls make the feature set easy to understand, though the listing does not establish how the guitar sounds or feels in practice. The conflicting pickup description is worth resolving before purchase. A case or gig bag must be bought separately.
Hanging next to it
Dean Guitars Kerry King VX BKS
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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