Dean Guitars has once again joined forces with thrash metal icon Kerry King of Slayer to unleash their latest creation: the USA Custom Shop Kerry King Signature Overlord guitar. This formidable instrument, revealed at NAMM 2023, marks the second signature collaboration between Dean and the legendary guitarist, boasting a suite of high-end features meticulously crafted for sonic devastation.
The Overlord’s foundation is built upon a savagely sculpted mahogany body, enhanced with a maple top, delivering a potent blend of sustain and tonal clarity. The set-thru neck construction, utilizing three pieces of maple, ensures exceptional stability and resonance. King’s personal preferences are reflected in the 24 3/4” scale length and the custom C-shaped neck profile, designed for high-velocity riffing and comfortable playability.
Close-up of the neck and fretboard of the Dean USA Custom Shop Kerry King Overlord signature guitar, showcasing the ebony fretboard, jumbo frets, and custom inlays.
The fretboard is crafted from ebony, offering a smooth and responsive playing surface, and features 24 jumbo frets for effortless bends and vibrato. Adding to the guitar’s aggressive aesthetic are striking LED fret markers, providing visual flair in low-light conditions. Custom pearl inlays, shaped into Slayer’s iconic crucifix logo, further personalize the fretboard.
Beyond its striking visual appointments, the Overlord is loaded with unique electronics tailored for extreme metal tones. A Sustainiac pickup resides in the neck position, offering players the ability to conjure infinite sustain with the flick of a switch. At the bridge, an EMG 81 pickup, a staple in high-output guitar amplification, delivers searing lead tones and crushing rhythms. To push the sonic boundaries even further, the Overlord incorporates an EMG PA2 preamp booster. This discreet preamp, activated via a toggle switch, injects up to 20dB of additional boost into the signal, providing an extra layer of aggression and sustain when needed.
Detail view of the pickup configuration on the Kerry King signature Dean Overlord guitar, highlighting the Sustainiac neck pickup and EMG 81 bridge pickup.
The control layout of the Overlord is designed for on-the-fly tonal manipulation. Four toggle switches are present: two dedicated to the Sustainiac system, one for the PA2 booster, and a standard three-way pickup selector switch. These are complemented by master volume and tone controls for overall sonic shaping.
For rock-solid tuning stability and expressive vibrato, Kerry King opted for his signature Kahler KFK Tremolo system. This high-performance tremolo is paired with Grover 18:1 ratio locking tuners, ensuring precise and reliable tuning even under the most demanding playing conditions. As a final personal touch, the guitar comes strung with Kerry King’s signature Dunlop string set, completing the package.
The Dean USA Custom Shop Kerry King Signature Overlord comes with a price tag of $6,499, which includes a hardshell case to protect this metal machine. For guitarists seeking a high-performance instrument built to the exacting specifications of a thrash metal legend, the Kerry King Signature Overlord is a serious contender.
For complete specifications and ordering information, visit the official Dean Guitars website.
