Dean HardTails Revisited

texred

texred

New member
Hey,
LOL! SOMEBODY here sold me one for my birthday (he didn't know that), now every reference I can find lands RIGHT HERE!!
Too funny.

Does anybody have any links about HardTails (Korean) that don't go back to jefff hehehe?? I was just wanting to look up S/N, you know, general stuff, but he's real busy and concentrating on USA as I'm sure you all know. Just wondering if somebody had some arcania/links rattlin around their head.

The preexisting thread (ca. '05-'07 somethin) was a thorough review he did. And only him. LMAO.

The only way you'll get this guitar is when you pry it from my cold, dead arms.

We thank you for your support.
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

Korean serial numbers are pretty much useless to date them until recently. IIRC, Jeff was the original owner so it is probably an '05 or so. Good guitars BTW. Check out the Dean Owers FB page if you have not and also http://www.deanowners.org/
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

BTMN said:
Korean serial numbers are pretty much useless to date them until recently. IIRC, Jeff was the original owner so it is probably an '05 or so. Good guitars BTW. Check out the Dean Owers FB page if you have not and also http://www.deanowners.org/
Click to expand...
Thanks so much. Seems he is so understated he said LOL "I guess they still got the ceramic mags in there", etc. If you know the man. . .I just met him and he is very sweet and kind. He doesn't have time for something he's not interested, that's why bye bye Korean> am I right? He's got a master plan and it doesn't involve a silly little guitar that I will forever cherish. The silly guy didn't even tell me HE was the original owner. Thanks! That alone makes your time, well, caring, I guess. Yes, I read you can't date them by S/N coz Dean would switch up hardware and whatever in the same year.
Thanks for the info and hookups. I knew somebody would know something. Boy, you talk about an understated guy!! When he sold it to me, he described the wear, but basically said I don't know anything else! That's why I'm barkin up a tree in his own backyard. Thanks, BTMN, for putting the icing on my birthday cake. Wow, superspecial.
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

Dean HardTails

This might not be the right protocol, but it's the best I can do right now. Now that I have calmed down, here are some things I do know, which were what I was looking for:

Guitar & set neck mahogany
22 wide frets
3 x 3 wicked headstock
Guitar is all black; no pickguard
2 tuners, 2 volume knobs, 3 way switch, all in a cluster under bridge and stop tail; makes it look super clean
Nickel hardware
Grover tuners
Mother of pearl logo, dots, design (not logo) on 12th fret

More info when I find it and probably a stock photo. I don't think they made many of these guys.
Thanks again Jeff & BTMN
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

Darg1911 said:
They made a lot of Hardtails. I still own two Korean made models.
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Well, hi. Feel like sharing (facts)? Like why don't they exist on google? That's just a minor question, but it drove me nuts always ending up back here!
What years were they made? I saw something about Standards and Selects? Don't know what pups are till seen nekkid, right?
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

Not much I can share, it would all be from memory. I think the Hardtail was first out as a USA made model designed by Dean Zelinsky (Guy who started Dean guitars and later sold his company) when he came back to the company around 2000. Then they started making the imports. Maybe early-mid 2000's? Made for several years but I dont remember when they stopped. I think the standards were just solid colors. The selects had the flame tops and scrape binding. Pickups in my Hardtail Selects were cheap import Alnico pickups. I don't recall if they went to better pickups in later models. That's about all I can tell you.
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

Darg1911 said:
Not much I can share, it would all be from memory. I think the Hardtail was first out as a USA made model designed by Dean Zelinsky (Guy who started Dean guitars and later sold his company) when he came back to the company around 2000. Then they started making the imports. Maybe early-mid 2000's? Made for several years but I dont remember when they stopped. I think the standards were just solid colors. The selects had the flame tops and scrape binding. Pickups in my Hardtail Selects were cheap import Alnico pickups. I don't recall if they went to better pickups in later models. That's about all I can tell you.
Click to expand...

That DOES help. Tells me I have a Standard, and possibly not too many fubar S/Ns from Korea. I saw a couple somewhere here that had US and Korea stamped with S/N. Talk about weirdness. BTMN mentioned LATELY they've been figuring it out. Joined DOA (perfect) and maybe later they'll have some info. I'm really curious by nature, so this will be interesting. Maybe I'll find some news for you guys. That guitar and the neck are like silk-no wonder Jeff said what he did. Thanks Darg1911. You play yours??
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

The fretboard is as black as the rest of the guitar (I LOVE that). What do you think it is? Ebony possible on a low end guitar?
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

USA Hardtail production started in late 2001/early 2002. However, I have never seen a 2001 serial number. I have a 2002 USA, #132 made. 02 10132. That's how all the USA models are numbered.

I can't recall exactly, but I think Korean models came out around 2005 or so. The one you have is certainly no older than an 08'/09' model. The specs on the Korean models are very similar to the USA models. Obviously the mahogany back and maple top are of different quality. The USA has an ebony fretboard and the Korean model has a rosewood fretboard; so you have rosewood. However, it was an exceptionally dark piece of wood to begin with. I condition all of my fretboards with gun oil, and I treated yours right before I shipped it. Gun oil helps the wood stay dark and protects it from drying better than anything I have found.

You've listed all the other specs...22 jumbo frets, 3x3 headstock, graphtec nut, TOM bridge and Dean designed stop tail. I'm pretty sure the hardware is chrome however. Dean pickups on the Korean models and I believe they are ceramic, but not terrible. The coolest part of the guitar is the molded heel joint. It makes the neck feel almost like a neck through.... even though it's set. The most comfortable necks I've found.

If I forgot anything or if you want to know something specific about it, just holler at me. The Korean Dean Hardtail's are one of the better guitars to come out of Korea. The quality is superb and they're excellent guitars.

57 is my favorite number BTW.
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

The Dean Hardtail has a unique propriety stop tailpiece as seen below. Same concept as the standard TOM/Stop Tail, slightly different execution.



whv1amh1nmzvibjbf36z.jpg
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

US with the serial number on a Korean guitar means it was made by UnSung Guitars in Korea. The US guitars were ghost built by US Masters Guitars out of Madison, Wn. until January 2008 when Dean brought production in house here in Tampa. US Master did everything up to paint and hardware. JeffH has given you quite a bit of history. Stop by the Facebook Dean Owners Association and I am sure we can fill you in on any other stuff. BTW, big Dean open house event here in Tampa in November. :headbang:
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

texred said:
That DOES help. Tells me I have a Standard, and possibly not too many fubar S/Ns from Korea. I saw a couple somewhere here that had US and Korea stamped with S/N. Talk about weirdness. BTMN mentioned LATELY they've been figuring it out.
Click to expand...

BTMN said:
US with the serial number on a Korean guitar means it was made by UnSung Guitars in Korea. The US guitars were ghost built by US Masters Guitars out of Madison, Wn. until January 2008 when Dean brought production in house here in Tampa. US Master did everything up to paint and hardware. JeffH has given you quite a bit of history. Stop by the Facebook Dean Owners Association and I am sure we can fill you in on any other stuff. BTW, big Dean open house event here in Tampa in November. :headbang:
Click to expand...

Exactly. US is just part of the serial number. May be a bit confusing but it does say Korea right next to it.

texred said:
The fretboard is as black as the rest of the guitar (I LOVE that). What do you think it is? Ebony possible on a low end guitar?
Click to expand...

Seems most of the fingerboards are nice and dark and smooth. But they are Rosewood, not Ebony. Look closely at the grain.

It would help id the guitar better if you post pics and the serial number. If it starts with US, the next 2 numbers are probably the year. I've done some recent research on razorbacks. I have digital copies of catalogs for most of the years 2000+.
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

wmachine said:
Exactly. US is just part of the serial number. May be a bit confusing but it does say Korea right next to it.



Seems most of the fingerboards are nice and dark and smooth. But they are Rosewood, not Ebony. Look closely at the grain.

It would help id the guitar better if you post pics and the serial number. If it starts with US, the next 2 numbers are probably the year. I've done some recent research on razorbacks. I have digital copies of catalogs for most of the years 2000+.
Click to expand...

Great! Already registered with DOA (think I would on principle!). Sorry, still struggling with uploading pics. Some memory probs-1day I can do something, and the next day I have no clue and have to figure it out again. Write it down? Sure, I can do that. Where's the paper?

Anyway S/N is E110430, and it just says Korea, no US in number. Sorrry. Have patience.
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

Jeff_H said:
The Dean Hardtail has a unique propriety stop tailpiece as seen below. Same concept as the standard TOM/Stop Tail, slightly different execution.



View attachment 89050
Click to expand...

Looks different in several ways to my unpracticed eye. For ease, let's call this one 57 (lucky number), unless you've got better. I don't think it can even have a name if you're into that. I just can't get over how it FEELS. I've been OOT, so when I recover (if) tomorrow, we'll hear a sound!
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

wmachine said:
Exactly. US is just part of the serial number. May be a bit confusing but it does say Korea right next to it.



Seems most of the fingerboards are nice and dark and smooth. But they are Rosewood, not Ebony. Look closely at the grain.

It would help id the guitar better if you post pics and the serial number. If it starts with US, the next 2 numbers are probably the year. I've done some recent research on razorbacks. I have digital copies of catalogs for most of the years 2000+.
Click to expand...

Lordy, how long did that take? Kinda scared to ask.

Do you or BTMN or Jeff have this link I somehow found? Probably in this thread!

https://www.guitar-list.com/dean/electric-guitars/dean-hardtail-series

Yeah, we already did this. My bad. Looks different.
 
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Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

The feel is the best thing about the Dean Hardtail's. The neck is so smooth and that moulded heel joint is sublime. All of the curves and carves have a purpose. The way it sets against your body is otherworldly. Be careful, if you rub the neck too much the experience becomes sensual in nature......and then anything can happen. I've had to clean up afterwards..........
 
Re: Dean HardTails Revisited

Jeff_H said:
USA Hardtail production started in late 2001/early 2002. However, I have never seen a 2001 serial number. I have a 2002 USA, #132 made. 02 10132. That's how all the USA models are numbered.

I can't recall exactly, but I think Korean models came out around 2005 or so. The one you have is certainly no older than an 08'/09' model. The specs on the Korean models are very similar to the USA models. Obviously the mahogany back and maple top are of different quality. The USA has an ebony fretboard and the Korean model has a rosewood fretboard; so you have rosewood. However, it was an exceptionally dark piece of wood to begin with. I condition all of my fretboards with gun oil, and I treated yours right before I shipped it. Gun oil helps the wood stay dark and protects it from drying better than anything I have found.

You've listed all the other specs...22 jumbo frets, 3x3 headstock, graphtec nut, TOM bridge and Dean designed stop tail. I'm pretty sure the hardware is chrome however. Dean pickups on the Korean models and I believe they are ceramic, but not terrible. The coolest part of the guitar is the molded heel joint. It makes the neck feel almost like a neck through.... even though it's set. The most comfortable necks I've found.

If I forgot anything or if you want to know something specific about it, just holler at me. The Korean Dean Hardtail's are one of the better guitars to come out of Korea. The quality is superb and they're excellent guitars.

57 is my favorite number BTW.
Click to expand...

YAY. BTW, I'll be 57 Friday. Thanks for the present.
 
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