Rare-ish Dean Z

[BTMN]

This month this guitar is 20 years old. I got this 1996 Dean USA Z in 2004 at a friend's pawn shop that was on it's way out. I sold it to a cat in Colorado and it went through at least 2 shops and 4 owners there over 10 years before finding it's way back to me in Florida. Folks kept coming to the Dean Forum to look for info on it and I spotted Fug every time. He is a good looking HEAVY old dawg. I think ultimately a good set of pickups and any other electronics needed would just put this over the top. Fun guitar.

Fug, 1996 Dean USA bolt on Z made in Plant City, Florida. Ben Chafin, Jon Hill, Brian Lloyd, and Pat Baker were building these then IIRC. Ben has a ton of cool stuff going like Electra Guitars as does Jon Hill with Bootleg Guitars. Pat Baker is in charge of the Pickup department and USA Custom shop at Dean.

This has a Mahogany body, Maple neck with a really nice Rosewood fingerboard, and Schaller bridge and Schaller branded Kluson style tuners. 5th guitar made April 1996 according to the serial number.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Rare-ish Dean Z

Awesome, man!

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Rare-ish Dean Z

Nice, I love "Happy Endings"!!!


Never realized they did US bolt-ons,was that during the "Tropical" period,or whatever they call it?
Played a 3-p/up setneck Caddy a long time ago that had teh Shrimpfork hdstk it was just OK.
& people fuss about the "Regular" headstocks...

Didn't realize that Chafin was in on the Electras,either,an old Omega was my 1st "decent" guitar,played it pretty much into the dirt before I sold it as a project...

How long have you had it back?
:headbang:

 

[BTMN]

Re: Rare-ish Dean Z

Nice, I love "Happy Endings"!!!

That's what they all say until someone has to clean up the mess.

Time period for my ZX was very last days of being a Tropical Music owned brand and in transition. There were a number of USA bolt ons that were made in '06 but I have no access to a number count and folks asked had no idea about the info either. Not sure of exact date in 1996 that Elliott and Armadillo Music took over the brand name. What year was that shrimpfork Caddy from? Remember the serial number?

Ben, in addition to Chafin Custom Guitars, set himself up with the Electra brand after years of it being dormant and brought it back to life. He and Mick Donner have that going ON. They have some outstanding things happening. Eventually reissue MPC stuff too. They also have another line of guitars made exclusively of Florida woods called Crackercasters. I want a P90 loaded LP style one of those REAL BAD!!!

I got this Z back last year but this month is when it is 20 years old so I have been playing it on a regular basis. Just thought I would share. Other than being a heavy SumBum it is a decent guitar. Unlike MOST bolt on guitars of it's caliber it is a string thru rather than having a cheap trem unit. No mistake this is an entry level guitar. A very good entry level guitar at that but the company put these together to move units and gain reinterest in the brand I'm betting. Quicker build time versus set neck models it would seem.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Rare-ish Dean Z

Cool,thanx for teh info!

Sorry,no s/n access,the guy moved & prolly sold/traded it years ago...
Like I said,it was pretty "meh" anyway,but certainly looked nice!

Still got my '80 R/I,tho(2 p/up),hopefully will have it up & running soon-ish...
Always loved the archtop Tigereye Selects,too,Yum!!!