Dean Guitars SA FOLK E VB Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Dean Guitars SA FOLK E VB is part of the Augustine Series from Dean Guitars. Dean Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer known for producing high-quality electric guitars, acoustic guitars, and bass guitars.

The Augustine Series consists of all-solid acoustic-electric guitars designed to offer impressive tone and playability at an accessible price point. These guitars are ideal for players looking for a stage-ready acoustic-electric that can hold its own alongside more expensive models.

The SA FOLK E VB reviewed here has a stylish single-cutaway folk body shape. It's an acoustic-electric model, featuring a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Other appointments include a mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, die-cast tuners, and a built-in preamp system.

Body Style and Design

The Dean SA Folk E VB has a sleek dreadnought shape that's comfortable to hold and play whether sitting or standing. It measures 43 inches long, 17 inches wide, and 4.25 inches deep. The guitar's body is made from solid mahogany topped with a Sitka spruce top in a gloss natural finish. The mahogany back and sides provide a balanced tone while the spruce top gives vibrant and clear projection ideal for various musical styles. The guitar has a traditional dreadnought design but with a contoured cutaway for easier upper fret access. Overall it has an elegant look with detailed binding on the top and back.

The Dean SA Folk E VB dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar has a classic yet elegant design. With its solid mahogany back and sides and Sitka spruce top, it produces a balanced and rich tone. The cutaway allows easy access to higher frets while the gloss finish gives it an attractive look. While the Dean has its own unique style, some other notable dreadnought acoustics include the Martin 000-28. The Martin 000-28 has a slightly smaller body depth than a typical dreadnought, making it comfortable for long practice sessions and stage performances. It has a solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The 000-28 produces a bright and focused tone with the spruce top while the mahogany provides warmth and sweetness. The slotted headstock gives it a classy vintage vibe. So whether you prefer the elegant simplicity of the Dean or the understated style of the Martin, dreadnought acoustics like these deliver balanced and rich tones perfect for any genre.

Neck

The Dean Augustine SA VB comes with a carved 2-piece mahogany neck that has a smooth and rounded shape for comfortable playing. The unbound 22-fret neck has a 25.5" scale length and 1 11/16" nut width, allowing an ergonomic feel that works well for various playing styles.

The neck profile on the SA VB is a modern slim-tapered "C" shape that provides versatility when moving up and down the neck. Some players may find the neck borders on the thinner side, but the smoothness of the neck finish makes it very playable. The shorter scale length contributes to the comfort and feel of the neck.

Overall, the neck is designed for optimal playability with a slim and fast feel that still retains warmth and resonance from the mahogany. The smooth, rounded neck shape should appeal to a wide range of players looking for a comfortable and versatile acoustic-electric guitar.

When choosing an acoustic-electric guitar, it's important to consider the neck profile and how it impacts playability. The Dean Augustine SA VB has a slim, fast neck that promotes versatility while still providing a smooth, comfortable feel. This modern neck design allows for easy playability across different styles of music. Other factors like the mahogany wood, shorter 25.5" scale length, and unbound fretboard further enhance the comfort and ergonomics. Players looking for optimal playability will appreciate the SA VB's neck configuration and how it caters to versatility. Be sure to also check out the Ortega Guitars RCE131SN for another quality option with a focus on comfort and playability.

Fretboard

The Dean SA FOLK E VB acoustic-electric guitar features a rosewood fretboard for warm, rich tones. Rosewood is a popular and traditional fretboard wood prized for its beauty and resonance. It has a 12" radius and 20 frets, allowing for comfortable chording and effortless soloing access higher up the neck. The rosewood creates a smooth playing feel under the fingers. Overall, the rosewood fretboard provides excellent tonal transfer and sustain.

Hardware

The hardware on the Dean Guitars SA FOLK E VB is high quality and designed for optimal playability and tone.

Tuning Machines

The guitar features premium die-cast tuning machines with a chrome finish. The tuning machines hold tune very well and make re-stringing an easy process. They have a smooth turning action that allows for accurate and fine tuning adjustments.

Bridge

It has a quality rosewood bridge that intonates well up and down the neck. The bridge transfers resonance efficiently for full and balanced tone across all strings. The integrated saddle and bridge plate design provides stability and precise string spacing.

Pickguard

The pickguard is made of black plastic and protects the top from pick scratches while playing. Its curved shape complements the body shape and doesn't obstruct access to the higher frets. The pickguard can easily be removed if desired.

Overall the hardware components are robust and designed for optimal functionality. The guitar stays in tune even during aggressive strumming or bending thanks to quality tuning machines. The bridge facilitates great tone and intonation. And the pickguard protects the top without inhibiting playability.

Electronics

The Dean SA Folk E VB features high quality electronics that deliver excellent amplified tone and versatility. It is equipped with a Dean Sonic preamp system and a built-in tuner for great amplified performance.

The guitar has a Dean humbucking pickup with a 3-band EQ that allows you to shape your tone. The 3-band EQ has bass, mid, and treble controls so you can dial in your perfect sound. The humbucker pickup reproduces the full, warm tone of an acoustic guitar while also reducing noise and humming for clear amplified sound.

The preamp has an onboard tuner, so you can easily keep the guitar in tune without any external tuners needed. The tuner can be activated with a push/pull knob on the upper bout. The guitar also has individual volume and tone knobs to control your amplified volume and dial in your tone.

The pickup and preamp system allow you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for playing live shows or recording. The controls give you versatility in shaping your acoustic guitar tone when performing or recording amplified. Overall, the electronics provide excellent functionality and tonal options on this acoustic-electric guitar from Dean.

Sound and Tone

The Dean SA Folk VB has a rich full-bodied acoustic tone with plenty of volume and projection thanks to its solid spruce top. The mahogany back and sides provide warmth and resonance, resulting in balanced and defined acoustic sound.

When amplified, this guitar maintains its acoustic tone nicely. The built-in Dean preamp and pickup system produces a natural, organic amplified tone without sounding too electric or processed. It captures the true character of the guitar with excellent dynamics and responsiveness. The controls for volume and tone allow shaping the amplified sound, from bright and crisp to warm and rounded. While not as lush as a high-end acoustic preamp system, the onboard electronics offer very usable plugged-in tones for performing.

Overall, this guitar sounds just as good amplified as unplugged, making it a great choice for solo performers and singer-songwriters looking for a single all-purpose acoustic. The spruce and mahogany tonewoods combine to deliver a balanced, full-range tone whether jamming acoustically or plugging into an amp or PA.

Playability

The Dean SA Folk E VB guitar is designed with comfort and ease of playing in mind. Its slim shorter scale neck and smooth satin finish make it very comfortable to hold and play. The action on this guitar is also set low from the factory, so there's no fret buzz or difficult stretches required to play chords and lead lines cleanly.

The shorter 24.75" scale length reduces string tension, making it easier on the hands, especially when playing complex chords and faster lead lines. The smooth satin neck finish allows your hand to easily glide up and down the neck as well.

Overall, the Dean SA Folk E VB offers great playability right out of the box. Its comfortable neck shape and profile, low action and smooth finish come together to make this acoustic-electric very easy and enjoyable to play for extended periods. It's clear Dean had playability in mind when designing this guitar.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Laminated spruce top produces a bright, articulate tone
• Mahogany back and sides provide warmth and resonance
• 25.5" scale mahogany neck offers comfort and playability
• Rosewood fretboard facilitates smooth string bending
• Fishman Sonitone electronics accurately convey natural acoustic tones
• Onboard tuner, volume, and tone controls offer versatility
• Lightweight, durable construction for easy portability
• Attractive natural satin finish and mother-of-pearl rosette

Cons

• Not as loud or boomy as a full dreadnought
• Electronics can induce feedback at high volumes
• Factory strings may require replacing for optimal tone
• Higher action may be challenging for beginning players
• Lack of cutaway can inhibit upper fret access
• Outputs but does not come with gig bag or case

Overall, the Dean Guitars Augustine SA-VB offers impressive build quality and acoustic-electric versatility at an affordable price point. Players looking for comfortable playability, bright acoustic tones, and basic amplified functionality will find this model fits the bill nicely. More advanced guitarists may desire upgrades in projection, electronics, and accessories, but this remains a quality starter acoustic-electric for gigging and practice.

Conclusion

The Dean Guitars SA FOLK E VB is a solid option for players looking for an acoustic-electric guitar with a nice balance of warm tones and bright projection thanks to its spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It's an affordable guitar with very good playability right out of the box, making it a great choice for beginners or intermediate players.

The slim neck and lower action allow for comfortable fretting and faster playing while the onboard electronics provide volume boost without sacrificing the guitar's inherent acoustic sound. While it may not have the complexity in tones as more expensive models, the SA FOLK E VB punches above its weight with excellent bang for the buck.

This Dean acoustic-electric is best suited for folk, country, pop, rock and blues. The versatile sound can handle both strumming chords and delicate fingerpicking. Ultimately, it's a quality guitar that covers the core needs for most players. Its comfortable feel and flexible sound make the Dean Guitars SA FOLK E VB easy to recommend.