Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

Eddie J.

Eddie J.

New member
OK, this is for Dean Hardtail users.

I can`t get to try Dean hardtail select before ordering, and I`m thinking of buying it over Peavey HP signature EXP that I have recently played and been amazed with extraordinary sustain that little guitar delivered. (stringthroughbody)
Dean on the other hand is more appealing guitar to me, with all the features i need, and i`m trying to clear one thing that i couldn`t find any info on. I`m interested how this dean`s low stoptail performs.

Simply put, how does this guitar sustain ??

Another thing is that i ran on posts where people claim that dean hardtails aren`t the slinkiest guitars to play. Actually, some said it is reasonably stiff for a short scale. After that i noticed that dean stoptail is very low, leveled to the body without an option to adjust height, so i thought how some stiffness could be the truth, and being on a virge to buy a slinky guitar, i`m trying to think ahead and see if it is possible to replace it`s stoptail with a tonepros.
(thinking in direction of wire wrap option if it shows necessary to decrease some stiffness).

OK, I`m aware that all of this could be totally unnecessary, that`s just something i read, but i just wanna make sure cause i just sold a guitar that was a bit on a stiffer side, and i would hate to end up with one again.

I would like to know what do you think about it.
Thats it guys, 3 questions:

1. Does Dean hardtail select sustains better than average?
2. Is it possible to replace it`s tailstop with a standard tonepros tailstop?
3. Is this guitar more on the slinky or on the stiffer side?

Thank You.
 
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Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

This might get you some info.

http://www.deanguitars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=494026#494026

doa076.jpg



Prototype Hardtail of a custom run of 50 on the left here. The Hardtail Bass is the Proto of a run of 12 in TransBlack Flametop. The guitars are quilted.
 
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Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

I played a Dean Hardtail once and it was tonally D.E.A.D. Only one I've played. Bad piece of wood I guess. I have a Dean Evo Special Select and it's very resonant.
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

BTW, the hardtail was very comfy in the hands. I just played a bad one.
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

I have a Dean Icon Special Select. It's a double cut like the Hardtail, and it is a great guitars. Plays great. It does feel a little stiff, but I only notice when coming to it from my Strat.

Every Hardtail I have played has been a great Ax. and I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up.
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

Can only comment on the usa hardtail as haven't played a select, but the construction is the same so it should be comparible apart from maybe wood quality. The direct coupling of the low hardtail gives GREAT sustain but the trade off is stiffness. However, it is still less stiff than any long scale guitar - supplied with 9's it was too slinky for me so changed to 10's. If you wanted to, you could raise the hardtail by placing metal washers under the metal plate, giving you the added slinkiness you require.This would maintain the coupling but act like a top wrap ( or just use 9's)!
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

Great guitar. I don't think it sustains like a LP but it's close, and yes it comes with 10's I think and it's a little stiff. I can bend a full step with a little effort though - not a blues guitar imo.
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

So it is a stiffy. Not glad to hear it.

Thanks for feedback guys. ;)
BTMN, extra thanks for that linkage effort :fing2:

Redmist said:
If you wanted to, you could raise the hardtail by placing metal washers under the metal plate, giving you the added slinkiness you require.This would maintain the coupling but act like a top wrap
Click to expand...
That`s a good idea. I Guess it could save the day. Thanks.

btw, what is incompatible with tonepros tailstop? Hole diameter or distance beetween them?
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

1. I feel my one sustains very very well. Overall id say like with most guitars you have gotta give it a test and make sure the wood is ok, but otherwise the structure and design of it doesn't hinder its sustain capabilities IMO.

2. I imagine you should be able to replace it with a tonepros unit if you want, the spacings of the holes seem to be the same as with regular tunamatic bridges.

3. Hmm tough to say. I am used to this guitar so everything else is either too stiff or slinky compared to this. The stop-tail piece is able to be raised or lowered like a regular tunamatic so you do have the option to adjust.

Any other questions feel free to ask:)

Jeff
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

Guys, my hat is down. You are the best!

This link is stellar, I think I never seen guitar closeups shot so well, it`s a huge huge help to see this.
Thanks man, I go to read it ;)
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

Well, it`s done. I ordered one in Trans red.

But, I`ll be laying my hands on it in few months, when friend from NY is gonna bring me one handpicked (i`m in Europe).
I just don`t like blind shopin` and have enough patience to wait for it.

Your help was very important for me, thanks for it !
;)
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

Life IS Good! Pass the goodwill on......
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

Well, something else just happened. I agreed to take one in trans amber and it`s here !

deansbs2.jpg


As you see can she`s a beauty.

Beauty & the beast actually :smokin: This is really great guitar, it delivers mighty sustain and punch and it is great to play, suits me better than the peavey EXP, although those two were the two most similar guitars i have played during this mission, but Hardtails neck is slightly easier to play for me, and visually it`s just outstanding. I`m very happy with it.

All is great except one thing. I really can`t understand how that happened, but when i got the guitar, the high E string was burried under the frets !!! (2nd to 8th fret).
Can you imagine that? I never saw something like that, I mean, the string was pulled under the frets somehow, and those frets are slightly distanced from the neck. Just enough for high e string squeeze through and it did.
I wonder how the damn thing it is still playable in this condition, but it is.

I think I should try to slam the frets back in their place, and i heard people use rubber hammers for that, but i don`t have one.

Any advice on what should i use?
 
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Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

I have seen strings get snagged under the fret edges before when they were loose for shipping or just stretched a lil to far. If it is bad take it to your local tech unless you feel it is something you can do. Is it new? Looks nice. Good score.
 
Re: Dean hardtail select - tailstop and sustain

Thanks. It`s brand new, and actually it plays very nice even with this problem. It s confusing, cause if I follow the guitar tech logic, it`should be very bad, but there is apsolutely no freting out or rattling, and every fret sounds the same when i knock on it. Very solid.

Few hours ago i finally found some time, adjusted the truss rod and intonated the guitar.
After that it just plays great. I just can`t believe that i`m not facing some playability problems with the frets looking like that, even the action is pretty low.

And now, i`m thinking should i slam them in, or not. (don`t fix a thing that works good).
Actually, i`m a bit afraid that I could disbalance it cause like this it plays ok. Strange.

Bah, I`ll sleep and play over it few days or weeks and then I`ll see what I`ll do.
Just in case, i go to buy me a rubber hammer tomorrow. :laugh2:
 
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