Acoustic Electric Guitar

You know exactly what brand I’m talking about. When you see the strange shapes, cutting edge designs and fantastic colors, you’re staring at a Dean Guitar. From the Dean Razorback, designed by Dime Bag, to the entire Cadillac collection, Dean Guitars have been shocking consumers since the late 70s and have been noted as the finest guitar makers in the world.

When it comes to hardware, Dean is just as cutting edge as he is with his design. Most Dean guitars are equipped with Dean custom parts like their Time Capsule pickups and usually also sport Grover tuners or better where tuners are needed.

The body of a Dean guitar is usually solid since solid bodies are what Dean Guitars specializes in and the wood, of course, is always the finest available. Dean Guitars are prided for being made of lasting, quality woods like Mahogany, Maple, Alder and Ebony, which are also reputed as giving off warmer sound and longer lasting resonance.

Dean Zelinsky

The Dean legend began in 1977 when luthier Dean Zelinsky began building guitars. He was young and very into heavy metal and its wild lifestyle at the time. Feeling compelled to integrate that wild streak into his love for guitars, he released his first wave which featured the V-shaped body and headstock that Dean guitars are still graced with today.

Surprisingly, despite his success, Dean Zelinsky ceased making guitars and sold his company in 1986. Rumor has it that Dean wanted to get into the furniture business following some financial issues with his guitar manufacturing.

The Dean name sat still for a few years but was picked up in the late 1990s by Elliott Robinson, the now-CEO for Dean Guitars. Under Robinson’s direction, the Dean name was back on an upswing in no time and Dean was later brought back into the company as an executive. Dean is also currently involved as creative consultant for design and since the turn of the millennia, Dean Guitars has become a leader in the industry.

Popular Models

There isn’t a single model of Dean Guitars that isn’t popular. Careful planning, overt collaboration in design and years of experience make the best guitars but quality control allows only the release of the highest grade to hit consumer’s shelves. There are, however, a few hot, popular picks that Dean is currently showboating.

Electric

• VinMan2000: This attractive solid-body electric features an Alder body and Maple neck and top along with the usual Grover tuners. It also sports the USA Dean Vinnie Moore “ShredHead” Humbucker with 2 DiMarzio Single Coil Pickups. A beautiful machine.
• MHG V: This is the Dean standard electric with their unique and popular V-shaped body. It is made of Mahogany and Ebony, looks great and is equipped with Grover tuners and the standard Time Capsule pickups. A great guitar for those looking for untraditional tradition.
• Dean 30th Anniversary USA ML and V: To celebrate, obviously, Dean released these great sister guitars. Both feature the standard Grover tuners and excellent custom pickups along with a load of logos, signatures and record of authenticity for each one as only 100 are being made world wide.
• USA SplitTail: Not only does this guitar look like it was made for Ozzy himself, but it’s customizable. You can get it with either EMG 81/85 pickups or Seymour Duncan pickups. Either way it comes made with a Mahogany body and neck and an ebony fingerboard.

Acoustic

• Mamba: Seemingly traditional, this warm sounding guitar features a snake that appears to wind around the guitar. It is made of solid spruce and maple and has a Dean Piezo with preamp pickup. A fine guitar.
• MLCoustic: Certainly a unique guitar, this semi-hollow body electric acoustic guitar features the Dean shape, finish and shine. It also sports a Mahogany body and neck, Rosewood fingerboard and sealed Die-Cast tuners and Dean Buffer Preamp. A superb guitar.

Artists

In conclusion, I leave you with the impressive list of talented artists who use and, often times, endorse Dean Guitars:

Leslie West

“Dime Bag” Darrel

Dave Mustaine

Michael Schenker

Rick Emmett

Rudolf Schenker

Michael Angelo Batio

Vinnie Moore

Tommy Bolin

Visit our website for a full catalog of Dean guitars.

I love my cheap ass Keiper acoustic guitar