Dean geetars

[Darkrain]

So yeah, I tried out a Dean guitar today, a ML '79, to be exact. It sounded and felt great (though the shape was unusual for me, it felt great never the less). It had 2 humbucking pickups, though covered with plastic seals, it sounded thick and warm, whether through tube or SS amps. But most surprising of all, was the PRICE!: $580 (I'm a lefty, so we have to pay more for guitars *clenches fist* :eek13: )

Well anyway, is anyone else a fan or have Dean guitars? Do they sound/play good? Does anyone actually know another player besides Dimebag who plays the ML series?! Stay tuned till next time! *shot*

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Dean geetars

I'm a big fan of Dean guitars. They have great build quality whether they are USA or Import, and I really like their heel joint. I own a USA Hardtail, and have been super happy with it. I'not a fan of some of their body shapes, but the quality is outstanding.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Dean geetars

I have had two ML79s..and played prolly a dozen other MIKs...Deans are the best bang for the buck in imports I've found if you are looking for a Gibson style instrument. Great quality considering how little they cost (righty 79 series run $470)

The ONLY major thing I don't like are the vintage style short frets on the vast majority of their imports. Good thing is the fret jobs are usually really good to absolutely fantastic.

MIA stuff is up there with Hamer USA, PRS USA, Gibson Custom shop, etc.

MLs are a great ergonomic combination of a V and a Explorer.... like the Dean headstock, there are tangible benefits to the design.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Dean geetars

Cadillac man myself (<=Thinly veiled Clint Eastwood reference) Love the Deans. Good quality, good price, and wicked cool mojo straddling the thin line between classic and over the top perfectly. Speaking of straddling - the Dean girls don't hurt either!

 

[CGord]

Re: Dean geetars

I'm not an ML fan, but I love my ZX, & want a V.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Dean geetars

Kerry Livgren use to endorse Dean Guitars. That's good enough fer me

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Dean geetars

Used to own a Korean Chafin Del Sol and that semi was a very serious instrument, regardless of price. I've never played the USA stuff, but I definitely want to check out a Hardtail or Z.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Dean geetars

I have a 79V. Great guitar all around. I haven't even had a need to replace the stock pickups in it. As you mentioned, they're already fat and warm sounding. I got mine with a hard case for $500 even. How can you go wrong with that?

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Dean geetars

One of my first memories of Dean guitars (the 80's) was that they would almost always have them next to scantily clad models. Considering no other manufacturer was doing this nearly as regularly it gave me the association that they needed to do it in order to make up for something.

A few years ago I borrowed a 4 string fretless bass from a buddy of mine and the thing was just god-awful. I'd planned on using it to record with but after a few weeks with it I thanked him and gave it back.

I know others swear by the quality...and there are fans that are devoted to them to a pretty extreme degree. But I've never been impressed with the way the company portrays themselves.

Keep in mind....like I said...lots of folks dig them. I just felt there should be a voice of dissent.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Dean geetars

\ But I've never been impressed with the way the company portrays themselves.

Keep in mind....like I said...lots of folks dig them. I just felt there should be a voice of dissent.

Well I gotta say my very first real guitar was a mid 80s import Dean. Supa-strat...2 buckers, weird Kahler copy, flame paint job! (I was 14, cut me some slack :chairfall ). It weighed about as much as a Norlin Les Paul custom, and sounded horrible, and the action was 10 feet high off the board and strings would break every other day, and generally it was just a POS.

As for the company's "marketing". I'll agree....The "chick" thing bugs me (not that I don't like hot chicks, just hate to see companies rely on it for advertising).

But IMO: the absolute whoring out of Dimebag is 1000 times more attrocious than the scantily clad females. There's like 30 different import and USA Dimebag models half of them with his picture and name all over the guitars.

Let him Rest in Peace for Christ's Sakes. I don't know his music at all (I've tried to listen to him...just not my kind of player), but from what I could tell of him as a person (based on interviews and such), he'd prolly be pretty damn offended how Dean was using his name to "dupe" kids/fans into buying gear.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Dean geetars

Hey Norlin era Les Pauls are Man guitars...If it's too heavy you're too wussy!

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Dean geetars

I have a '79 V. It's a really nice guitar for the money. I rewired the entire circuit and need a new nut (mine is kind of sloppy). But I really like this guitar.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Dean geetars

I play an Evo right now. Nice geeterr. Wish they would kill the fugly headstocks though.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: Dean geetars

I play a Korean Hardtail. I was originally looking for a Les Paul type guitar, i saw it hanging on the wall, gave it a try thinking there would be nothing to lose... and i fell on love with its feel straight away. Awesome neck, good fretwork (except one or 2 which i sadly overlooked when trying it out - a lesson learned). Fortunately i loved it so much i had it fret dressed and now it plays 100% on each fret and has a tone i love. I guess i must have got unlucky back then because every other Dean i have played has been immaculate, i could have haggled alot off the price if i had played the odd fret! The only other minor issue is even with filing the slots by my tech there are still tuning issues, there is no pinging but after i do a big bend or so it goes out on the G and B strings. Rubbing graphite in there cures the problem, but sometime down the line i will have a new nut installed.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Dean geetars

I have a Dean Icon. It's a double cut PRS-ish looking one. It was totally an impulse buy and has become my main ax. I love it. It plays great. Easy fret access all the way around. Neck is very nice. Not too thick, and not too thin.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Dean. I've played some USA hardtails as well. Great guitars for the little time I spent playing them.

If the one you played sounded great, felt great, and was in your price range I see no reason why you shouldn't go for it. Don't be one of those Gibby/Fender snobs who think there are only 4 quality guitar brand.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Dean geetars

But I've never been impressed with the way the company portrays themselves.

That's sort of their trademark though. They really cater to the metalhead crowd. Their website is absolutely horrible. There are about a million pictures everywhere and screeching WAV files bombard you on almost every page.

Agreed, their image is pretty cheesy. But their guitars are top-notch.

 

[DeanSweden]

Re: Dean geetars

But IMO: the absolute whoring out of Dimebag is 1000 times more attrocious than the scantily clad females. There's like 30 different import and USA Dimebag models half of them with his picture and name all over the guitars.

the thing is that Dimebag had alotta sketches of guitars
that he drew himself, including the new Razorbacks, before
he passed and Dean is only making his wishes come true kinda ...

 

[CGord]

Re: Dean geetars

Also, I think Dime's family would stop them (or at least complain) if they felt Dean was out of line.

 

[Mephis]

Re: Dean geetars

I play a Korean Hardtail. I was originally looking for a Les Paul type guitar, i saw it hanging on the wall, gave it a try thinking there would be nothing to lose... and i fell on love with its feel straight away. Awesome neck, good fretwork (except one or 2 which i sadly overlooked when trying it out - a lesson learned). Fortunately i loved it so much i had it fret dressed and now it plays 100% on each fret and has a tone i love. I guess i must have got unlucky back then because every other Dean i have played has been immaculate, i could have haggled alot off the price if i had played the odd fret! The only other minor issue is even with filing the slots by my tech there are still tuning issues, there is no pinging but after i do a big bend or so it goes out on the G and B strings. Rubbing graphite in there cures the problem, but sometime down the line i will have a new nut installed.

Always, ALWAYS, slide from the 1st fret to the last fret on every string. If anything buzzes or sounds off, play that area for awhile and do alot of bends.

Saves you alot of headaches.

 

[BTMN]

Re: Dean geetars

Love'em for the most part. Here are most of mine. My '06 Trans Green '79 Series Z and '04 USA Z Pro are missing from this shot. Need to shoot a new family shot but sure as I do I'll get another one or two or..... :13: