Build and features

A moody, none-more-black version of the classic Dean shape of yore, but will this dark Knight be chivalrous player? All-black guitars certainly have their place in our hearts, and this means a satin black version of the classic ML makes a refreshing change from the sometimes overly vulgar litany of Dimebag models we’ve seen: we’d choose this over a Dime- O-Flame every time!

One advantage of shaped guitars over their more staid brethren is that they need extra wood and the Knight weighs in at a whopping 4.4kg of what is mostly mahogany. More wood equals fatter tone? Not always, but it certainly seems to be the case here.

The neck is a clever compromise between the demands of the more modern player - it’s wide, flat and thin - with that lauded ‘V’-shape of late-seventies Deans. It suggests a very rounded apex to the profile where the neck nestles between the thumb and forefinger.

There are also 22 frets and a spread of classy abalone inlays. Three very smooth pots and a three-way toggle control the EMGs, and the trem is a Floyd Rose-licensed model that’s been set-up a treat.

Next: Dean ML Knight sounds pros and cons