Dean Guitars SA DREAD CE VB Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Dean Guitars SA Dread CE VB acoustic-electric guitar is part of Dean Guitars' made in USA Select Series- offering high quality instruments producing the classic Dean sound. This full-size dreadnought model combines modern electronics with traditional craftsmanship, aimed at working musicians across various genres needing a road-ready workhorse. It's built with an all solid wood body- solid Adirondack spruce top and solid mahogany back/sides, which produces clear bright tone characteristic of the dreadnought shape. The Dean SA Dread CE VB is versatile, well-made, nicely appointed, and suitable for both on-stage plugged in and unplugged practice or studio work.

Build Quality

The Dean SA DREAD CE VB guitar has excellent build quality for its price point. It features a solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides. Spruce is a common tonewood choice for acoustic tops, providing a balanced sound with good articulation and volume. The mahogany back and sides offer a warm, rounded midrange and pleasant sustain.

The fit and finish of this Dean acoustic-electric is very good, especially considering the affordable price. The joints and seams are clean and tight. The gloss finish is smooth and consistent across the top, back, and sides. There are no visible glue spots or rough edges. The frets are smoothly finished with no sharp ends.

Overall the materials and construction of this guitar exceed expectations. While it may not have the refinement of a high-end acoustic, the Dean SA DREAD CE VB is very well made for an import guitar at this price point. The solid spruce top gives it an advantage over laminate topped models in the same range.

When comparing the build quality of the Dean SA DREAD CE VB to other acoustic-electric guitars in its price range, it stacks up very well. Models like the Ibanez GRGM21BKN offer similar construction and materials at a comparable price point. The Ibanez features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and smooth fretwork comparable to the Dean. While there are always differences between individual instruments, both of these import acoustic-electrics demonstrate quality craftsmanship and materials given their affordable pricing.

Factors like electronics, hardware, and attention to detail may vary between the Dean and Ibanez models. However, they aim to deliver a playable, quality acoustic-electric guitar without breaking the bank. Players looking for a budget-friendly but well-constructed acoustic-electric would be wise to consider either of these options.

When researching affordable acoustic-electrics, examining build quality is an important consideration. Instruments like the Dean SA DREAD CE VB and Ibanez GRGM21BKN hit a sweet spot between price and construction. While they may not have the refinement of premium models, they offer excellent quality for the money. Solid wood tops give them an edge over laminates, and both feature quality hardware and electronics.

Sound Quality

The Dean SA DREAD CE VB produces a balanced, warm acoustic tone thanks to its mahogany top and mahogany back and sides tonewood combination. Mahogany is known for its clear, balanced sound with good bass and treble response. The guitar's spruce X-bracing further enhances the resonance and projection.

Plugged in, the guitar's Fishman Sonitone pickup and preamp system provides a very natural amplified tone. The under-saddle piezo pickup accurately captures the guitar's acoustic voice. The Sonitone preamp provides simple but effective tone shaping controls for volume, bass, mid, and treble. This allows you to easily dial in a great amplified tone whether plugging direct into a PA system or an acoustic amp. The pickup and preamp combination captures the SA DREAD CE VB's warm acoustic tone and projects it with clarity when performing live or recording.

When looking for a quality acoustic-electric guitar, it's important to consider the sound quality both unplugged and amplified. The Dean SA DREAD CE VB offers a balanced, warm acoustic tone thanks to its all-mahogany body and spruce bracing. The Fishman Sonitone electronics accurately convey the guitar's natural tone when plugged in. Another great option to consider is the Ortega Guitars RCE138SN-L. This acoustic-electric model features a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides for a rich, resonant unplugged tone. It's equipped with Ortega's own OBP-2T preamp system which provides customizable EQ for shaping your amplified tone. The RCE138SN-L produces a detailed acoustic sound both unplugged and when plugged into an amp or PA. When shopping for an acoustic-electric, be sure to play the guitar unplugged first to evaluate the inherent acoustic sound. Then plug it in to test the pickup and preamp's ability to accurately convey that natural acoustic tone at higher volumes. This will ensure you find a quality acoustic-electric that sounds great in any live or studio scenario.

Playability

The Dean Guitars SA DREAD CE VB acoustic-electric guitar has excellent playability that makes it suitable for a wide range of musical styles.

The action on this guitar is set quite low, making it very comfortable to fret notes and chords up and down the neck. It has a nice and slim "C" shaped neck profile that fits comfortably in the hand. The neck is also very smooth thanks to its rosewood fingerboard. This combination of low action and slim neck makes playing riffs, solos, and intricate chording a breeze on this guitar.

In terms of genres, the Dean SA DREAD CE VB works well for pop, rock, folk, country, blues, and more. The comfortable neck and low action lend themselves nicely to virtuosic soloing and fast lead lines. The slim profile is also great for rock and blues rhythm playing. And the overall playability makes this an excellent choice for singer-songwriters who need to voice chords and leads.

The Dean excels at both fingerstyle and strumming approaches. The smooth rosewood fingerboard and low action facilitate intricate fingerpicking patterns, percussive techniques, and detailed single-note runs. But the guitar also projects nicely when strumming full chords, making it very dynamic and expressive for rhythmic accompaniment.

All around, the Dean SA DREAD CE VB offers outstanding playability. It's comfortable yet fast and responsive across multiple techniques, making it a versatile guitar ready for any genre.

Hardware

The Dean Dreadnaught CE VB features quality hardware that enhances its acoustic-electric capabilities. The tuning machines are sealed die-cast tuners that hold tune reliably. The nut and saddle are made from TUSQ, an engineered alternative to bone and ivory that provides accurate intonation.

For electronics, the Dreadnaught CE VB is equipped with a Fishman Sonicore undersaddle pickup and preamp system. The Fishman Sonicore pickup reproduces the guitar's natural acoustic tone accurately, capturing the vibrant character of the solid spruce top. The preamp has volume and tone controls that allow shaping and optimizing the amplified tone. There is also a built-in tuner for convenient tuning. The preamp controls are discretely mounted inside the soundhole for an unobtrusive look.

Overall, the well-chosen hardware contributes to making the Dreadnaught CE VB an excellent performing acoustic-electric guitar. The sealed tuners, TUSQ nut and saddle, and Fishman Sonicore pickup result in reliable tuning stability, great intonation, and quality amplified tone.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The Dean SA Dread CE Acoustic-Electric Guitar features a shapely dreadnaught body with a slim taper neck and rosewood fretboard that provides excellent comfort and playability whether seated or standing. The dreadnaught shape effectively balances the guitar on the player's knee when seated, with a lower bout that tucks comfortably against the body. When playing in a standing position, the body curves nicely against the torso, facilitating access to the entire fretboard. The slim neck has a curved "C" profile and narrow 1 11/16" nut width for comfortable fretting of chords and single notes. The rosewood fretboard has a 12" radius and smooth medium jumbo frets for a fast feel that makes navigating the neck quick and effortless. All these characteristics add up to a guitar that feels great when playing for extended periods of time, whether practicing at home or performing live shows. The rosewood fretboard contributes to sustained, comfortable playability. Overall, the SA Dread CE offers an ergonomic design focused on playability and accessing the entire fingerboard with ease.

Pros

• The Dean Guitars SA Dread Ce VB has a very rich, balanced tone that works well for a variety of musical styles. It has plenty of volume to fill a room and satisfy even seasoned performers.

• Playability is excellent right out of the box, thanks to the smooth and comfortable neck, low action, and buttery-smooth frets. It's very easy to form chords and play both rhythms and lead lines.

• This guitar offers great value, with a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and Fishman electronics at this very reasonable price point. You get pro-level sound and playability without breaking the bank.

Cons

Two main drawbacks for the Dean Guitars SA DREAD CE VB acoustic-electric guitar are the quality of the electronics and the action out of the box.

• The onboard preamp and pickup lack clarity and dynamic range compared to higher-end systems from brands like LR Baggs or Fishman. The tones can sound somewhat muffled and compressed through an amp or PA system. This is especially apparent when amplifying subtle fingerstyle playing. The electronics seem designed more for stage volume rather than nuanced amplified tones.

• Many reviewers mention the action being too high out of the box. This can make fretting and chord changes more difficult, especially for beginner and intermediate players. While a professional setup can improve the action, it adds to the cost of an already budget-friendly model. Those seeking optimal playability may be better served by a premium acoustic-electric with a hand-crafted neck and pro setup.

Comparable Alternatives

The Dean Guitars SA DREAD CE VB competes with other guitars in the mid-range price point for acoustic-electric dreadnoughts. Two comparable alternatives to consider are:

Yamaha FG-TA

The Yamaha FG-TA is a similar dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar with solid Sitka spruce top, NATO back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard. It features Yamaha's SRT piezo pickup system and comes in around the same price point as the Dean model. The Yamaha is known for its balanced tone and playability. The aesthetics have a more understated classic look versus the Dean's eye-catching flame maple veneer top.

Fender CD-60SCE

Another comparable acoustic-electric dreadnought is the Fender CD-60SCE. This all-mahogany guitar comes in at the lower end of the price scale, making it a more budget-friendly option. It has a Fishman preamp with tuner, and delivers Fender's signature balanced and warm acoustic tone. The CD-60SCE is a good choice for players looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic-electric model. The tonewoods and electronics aren't as high-end compared to the Dean or Yamaha models.

Conclusion

The Dean Guitars SA DREAD CE VB is a solid mid-range acoustic-electric guitar that provides great value in its price range. Its handcrafted construction and attention to detail result in an instrument that looks, feels, and sounds more expensive than it actually is.

The spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a balanced and resonant tone, while the slim neck profile and low action make this guitar very playable right out of the box. The onboard preamp and tuner allow you to easily amplify your acoustic tone at gigs or in the studio.

Overall, the Dean SA DREAD CE VB punches above its weight class, offering versatile sound in an attractive package. It's an excellent choice for intermediate players looking to upgrade from a beginner instrument or working musicians in need of a reliable, gig-ready acoustic-electric. While not as fancy as some premium models, it provides fantastic bang for your buck.

If you're searching for a great all-around acoustic-electric that won't break the bank, be sure to check out the Dean Guitars SA DREAD CE VB.