Deans

[BloodRose]

I spent some time hanging at a couple of shops today. Played some hardtails (imports), Dean from Hell and Razorback and also a VJM? (White V, single bucker, gold trim) They all sounded amazing! They all played effortlessly. I was
quite impressed!! The shop wanted $699 for the hard tails and they guy was feeding me pooh about them being custom shop. They are morons there, but back to the guitars. Are these as good as they seem? Whats the normal rate for these? The pickups sounded really good, but I wasnt playing my rig.. Are the stock pups pretty good??
I was least impressed by the razorback. looked cool tho. I REALLy liked the Dean from Heck too! THE only thing giving me hesitation on that one is that Im not big on signature guitars..
The V was wicked sounding too!! Only thing is, they wanted $499 for it.
I'll give you an idea of this shop. Mom and pop but owned by 2 guys. They have a used schecter C1 artist there. ( The MF exclusive that they sell for $499. ) This one has some dings and they wont budge on the $489 price.
He tried to tell me the Dean was usa made, I called his bluff and then he said, well they are made overseas but get set up by Deans custom shop..
Anyhow what are your take on these ??
Thanks

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: Deans

Did the Hardtail have a trans finish with a flame top? If it didn't, they're really upping the price on that one. The only Hardtail that I'm aware of that costs $700 is the Hardtail Select with the tremolo.

Dean makes great guitars. The imports are great and the USA models are outstanding.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Deans

checkout the Dean 79ML thread down below (2nd page maybe)...

plenty of discussion about Dean Import bang for the buck....

I'd buy online from carlino or funkymunky or BRG, though that shop's pricing sounds right. These guys above know their Deans and will treat ya right

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Deans

Dean makes a fantastic guitar, and the Hardtail IMO is the pinnacle of what they do. I own a USA Hardtail, and it has the best feeling neck, and amazing tone.

The import models are very, very good. Rosewood board instead of ebony, and only the hardtail inlay at the 12th fret, but still great. One of the nicest features is the Dean moulded heel. It is such a smooth transition for a set neck, not like the joint on a Les Paul, which is bulky. I have never played a Hardtail, import or otherwise and though...this is a piece of crap. They all seem to have good finish on the frets and the QC is very, very consistent. The only other brand that seems to have QC on par is Schecter, and I think Dean is better.

From what I understand, the OEM Dean pickups are decent, but like most imports most folks want to change them. However, I think they're totally useable.

As for the price, unless it's a trem model they are about $200 high. You can get trans finish hardtails on eBay for $499 all the time...solid finishes a little less. They are not custom shop guitars, and neither are the USA Hardtails, at least not the normal production Hardtails. The collecters edition and some other limited Hardtails may be.

Here's and example of an import Hardtail.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dean-Hardtail-S...ryZ41435QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I agree with JeffB that if you buy online, go to Carlino Guitars, or the other link he mentioned. I WOULD NOT hesitate to buy an import Hardtail online, as the quality control is SO consistent. If you did happen to get a dud, Carlino would take care of you in a heartbeat.

Here's my baby.

Let me know if I can be of any other help.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Deans

Def you can find some used/floor models for GREAT prices, like the one Jeff posted. Most new Hardtails with a flame top seem to run around $650 online (which I believe is Deans Min AP). Vibrato models will run closer to 7 bills.

Solid colors are less expensive. One thing you should note. You are getting a thick maple cap on the MIK Dean Hardtails. I saw one guy who stripped his, and no-one could really say from the pics or the owner himself whether it was a veneer on top of a maple cap or just a flame maple cap, but it''s def a thick maple cap...so you are not just getting a veneer on top of a mahogany body or a "mystery wood" cap like most imports.

The 79 series (V, ML, Z) is listed as a maple cap. I could not tell one way or the other though there is def a veneer. From how warm they sound though, I'd say its just a veneer.

The White Gold V is the model you played and is just a white 79 series model. Same specs, barring the gold hardware and single bucker. The "black gold" series are also the same as the 79s but they have block inlays, all gold hardware and a flame veneered headstock. Most I've seen on Ebay also throw in the case for around $650.

The import pups, like Jeff also mentioned.. are good...not great, but useable and good. Far better than most import pups like you'd get on a Ibanez or most Epi pups. They are big, fat, warm hot PAF types. The bridge is Kinda like a C5 with more mids (but with that A5 roundness... not like a ceramic SH5 custom). The neck is also big and fat. Like a DiMarzio (DP103)PAF with a bit less bite. But like most imports they are a bit muddy, and a tad bit fuzzy compared to a Duncan USA or DiMarzio USA pup. I'd put them in the category of a Duncan Designed for quality.

seriously...I've yet to find a better MIK import for the $. They don't have QUITE the detail/QC of the MIJ axes, but they are getting there, and they are a few hundred cheaper, and cheaper than a high end Schecter MIK or ESP/LTD MIK and just as good , IME. Put some new pups in one and you have a great "working man's" guitar.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Deans

I'm likely not to ever buy one, but If I wanted a Hardtail/PRS type guitar, this is the one I'd pick up...KILLER freaking top on this $650 guitar :bigthumb:

Helluva lot better than 99% of your import tops...check out the cross grain!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Deans

Did the Hardtail have a trans finish with a flame top? If it didn't, they're really upping the price on that one. The only Hardtail that I'm aware of that costs $700 is the Hardtail Select with the tremolo.

Dean makes great guitars. The imports are great and the USA models are outstanding.

flame top and no trem. Looks like the one JeffH posted.
The Dean from hell was an effortless player too.
Thanks for the site ideas. I like to give locals my biz, but I cant pay hundreds more and I get offended when they try to BS me..

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: Deans

flame top and no trem.

I wouldn't get it from them. They can be had elsewhere for $100-$200 less than that.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Deans

You can definately get a flame top hardtail for $500-$575. I know you can buy one on eBay for $499, and that's great...and I wouldn't hesitate. However, like you, I prefer to buy locally if at all possible, and I'll spend $50 to $100 more to support a GOOD local shop.

My next step would be to contact Carlino Guitars. He is one of the largest Dean dealers on the east coast, and he will give you a hell of a deal. Plus he is an independent dealer who does things right, so it's like supporting a local mom and pop.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Deans

I'm likely not to ever buy one, but If I wanted a Hardtail/PRS type guitar, this is the one I'd pick up...KILLER freaking top on this $650 guitar :bigthumb:

Helluva lot better than 99% of your import tops...check out the cross grain!

Doh....forgot the link...link

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: Deans

Doh....forgot the link...link

Nice flames.

I wish they had a trans black finish on those puppies. That would look sweet.

 

[BTMN]

Re: Deans

That Hardtail is about 10 minutes from me at Seminole Music. Good place been there forever. Wont bargin on posted prices either. Check out the Dean Forum http://www.deanguitars.com/forums too and look in the Dealer section.