Wondering which Dean left handed guitars are currently available? Well, you’re in the right place my friend!
In this article, you’ll discover the full range of southpaw guitars currently available from Dean, as well as some special models at the end of the page that you won’t find anywhere else!
Dean Guitars was founded in 1976 in Chicago, Illinois by Dean Zelinsky. Although Zelinsky left Dean in 2009, the company has carried on with new owner Evan Rubinson at the helm.
Unfortunately, since the last update of this guide, Dean seems to have been busy eradicating a good chunk of their southpaw stable. While in previous years the brand offered a healthy selection of exotic shape electrics, all of these are now sadly gone.
In their defense, this is entirely due to a series of lawsuits that saw them having to remove many of their most popular models from circulation.
After being sued by Gibson, Dean was ordered to stop producing its V, Z, and Grand Sport models. In addition, a lawsuit by Dimebag Darrel’s estate ended the brand’s association with the legendary shred guitarist.
So, we have fingers crossed that Dean can pull through this difficult time and reinstate a few lefty models in the future.
Does Dean Make Left Handed Guitars?
Yes! At the time of writing, there are 4 different Dean left-handed guitars and basses available. In addition, there is a small number of special run lefty guitars which you will find at specialist dealers.
Left Handed Dean Guitars
Dean Edge 09 Left Handed Bass
Currently, the only left handed electric instrument available from Dean is the Edge 09 bass which comes in a Classic Black finish.
This affordable bass features a comfortable contoured body and a fast, slim neck with excellent upper fret access. The lone soapbar pickup provides plenty of snarling tone, making the instrument ideal for hard rock and metal players.
- Body : Basswood
- Neck : Maple w/ Walnut Fretboard
- Tuners : Sealed Die-Cast
- Bridge : Die Cast
- Pickups : DMT Design
- Finish : Classic Black
Dean Cutaway EABC Left Handed Acoustic Bass
It is quite rare to see a left handed acoustic bass, so it is nice to see that Dean has held on to at least one of their more interesting southpaws.
The Cutaway EABC features the classic sapele and spruce tonewood pairing on the body for a well-balanced sound. A slim C-shape okoume neck is combined with a 24-fret walnut fingerboard, fully bound with black and white binding.
Dean’s DMT G03 preamp system ensures that a wide variety of different sounds are always on tap.
- Body : Sapele w/ Select Spruce Top
- Neck : Okoume w/ Walnut Fretboard
- Scale Length : 34 Inches
- Tuners : Die-Cast
- Bridge : Rosewood
- Pickups : Dean Piezo
- Finish : Satin Natural
Dean Exotica Quilt Ash Left Handed
With its striking quilt ash body and matching headstock veneer, the left handed Dean Exotica Quilt Ash has to be one of the most eye-catching lefty acoustics currently available.
Combined with the triple-bound quilt ash body is a mahogany neck and 21-fret Pau Ferro fingerboard.
Dean has also included their DMT G03 preamp system which includes a handy built-in tuner.
- Body : Quilt Ash
- Neck : Mahogany w/ Pau Ferro Fretboard
- Tuners : Sealed Die-Cast
- Bridge : Pau Ferro
- Pickups : Piezo /w 4-Band EQ
- Finish : Natural
Dean Exhibition Left Handed Acoustic Guitar
Currently, the most premium guitar offered by Dean is the Exhibition A/E electro-acoustic. I say premium, but it’s still actually very affordable at around $600 RRP.
The guitar features a thinline sapele body, a slim nyatoh neck, and a 21 fret ebony fingerboard. The black finish and florentine cutaway give the guitar quite a unique appearance, plus amazing access to those upper frets.
Finally, an under-saddle piezo pickup and Dean’s DMT G05 preamp system ensure a variety of different plugged-in tones.
- Body : Sapele
- Neck : Sapele w/ Ebony Fretboard
- Tuners : Grover
- Bridge : Ebony
- Pickups : Piezo
- Finish : Black Satin
Limited Runs
In addition to these standard models, you may also wish to take a look at the exclusive selection of left-handed Dean guitars from our friends at Xtreme Lefty Guitars.
They often commission special runs of instruments which are usually unavailable left handed anywhere else. Send Dave an email to see what he has lined up!
At the time of writing XLG has this amazing Dean Exile Select available, as well as a handful of other incredible special run lefties.
Dean Guitars Website
The Dean Guitars website does feature a left handed section. However, it is curiously tucked away in the menu for electric guitars, which, as we’ve just found out, is devoid of lefty models.
Here’s hoping that Dean can weather this storm of lawsuits and come out the other side with a renewed stable of lefties in the near future.
For more information:
Dean Guitars Website
FAQ
Where Are Dean Guitars Made?
Dean guitars are currently made in the USA, Korea, and China depending on the model. All of the left handed models featured on this page are manufactured in Dean’s Chinese factory.
Who Plays Dean Guitars?
A number of high-profile artists are associated with Dean guitars, including Kerry King, Michael Amott, Eric Peterson, Michael Schenker, and Karl Sanders among many others.
