Dean Hardtail questions

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Hey all,

Today while in the guitar store I found a made in Korea Hardtail in a sweet tiger burst finish. It was the first time I've ever played one, and I was really impressed. It even made the crappy amp I was playing through sound descent! They want $640 for it, is this a good deal? If I get it, I would have to sell my Peavey Vandenberg and my Epi Les Paul to make up for some of the difference. I really liked the guitar, but I don't know if I'm willing to let go of my current guitars. The Hardtail beats out my Epi in every category, except the fact it doesn't have a les paul style body. And I never play the Vandenberg anymore.

Would you go for it in my situation?

The guitar looks exactly like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41435&item=3740615720&rd=1

thanks,
Chris

 

[rspst14]

Re: Dean Hardtail questions

I would keep an eye out for a Hamer USA Studio instead. The American-made Hardtails are great, I know nothing about the imports. But for that price, you could get a used USA Studio in excellent condition. Very similar in construction to the Dean. I picked this up for $630 shipped...

http://home.comcast.net/~rspst14/hamer1.jpg

Ryan

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Dean Hardtail questions

Ryan is correct about the price of a used Hamer Studio....made in the USA. I have yet to experience USA Hamer quality, but by all accounts it is outstanding. The question you really have to ask yourself is...do I want the look of a Les Paul Double Cut, or something that looks more like a PRS? Now, with that said.....

USA Deans are in a class by themselvs...IMO. They rival PRS in many peoples opinions, and in my opinion, out class the majority of them when you compare dollar for dollar what you get. The playability is outstanding. The import Dean's have always been of a very high quality. I would compare the import Dean Hardtails to the Epiphone Elite Les Pauls in quality of materials (wood, tops, ect) as well as the hardware. The Deans will have Grover Tuners and a Tone Pro's bridge.

Again, I can't compare the playability of the Dean vs Hamer USA, but I can tell you that the Hardtail I own is the single finest guitar from a playability standpoint that I have ever picked up. The import will have the exact same specs....just made in Korea. The Dean molded heel is fantastic, much lower profile than a Les Paul heel, very similar in feel to a neck thru. Tonewise, the PRS is inbetween a PRS and a Les Paul. Meater than a PRS, but slightly more open and airy than a Les Paul.

Is the Hamer USA Studio probably a better guitar dollar for dollar....yes. You have to want that look. If you want the PRS type of look, the Dean will not let you down. You will more than likely have to replace the pups on the Dean import, and the Hamer Studio will most likely come with a set of 59's.