L3F1 MUSIC

Dean Dimebag

The History of Dean Guitars

Dean Guitars are a well-known company specialising in making electric guitars, primarily versions of Gibson’s classic Modernistic series of guitars. As well as this Dean make high quality acoustic guitars and mandolins and banjos.

The company was founded in 1977 by Dean Zelinsky, after whom the company is named. He wanted to make better guitars for rock and metal musicians than existed when the company started. When the company first started the main models in the range were the V, a copy of Gibson’s 1950s Flying V design, and the Z, a copy of the Gibson Explorer, the other guitar from the Gibson Modernistic series that was actually made and sold (there was a third guitar in the series, the Moderne, of which none were made, not even in prototype stage, until 1982). There was also a third guitar in Dean’s range, the ML, which was a very well-executed blend of both the aforementioned Dean guitars - it consisted of the bottom half of a V and the top half of a Z. The guitars differed from Gibson’s designs by having no scratchplate and Dean’s trademark headstock, a larger-than-normal model with a V shape.

Early adopters of Dean guitars were Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill  of  ZZ Top, who could often be seen onstage in the eighties with matching Dean bass and 6 string guitars.

The 1980s saw several new models added to the range to accompany the V, Z and ML models. These included the Cadillac from 1980, a Gibson Les Paul bottom half and a Dean Z top half that works better than may be expected, and the 1983 Bel Aire, a pointier and smaller-bodied version of the Fender Stratocaster with one humbucker and two single coil pickups, which means it could be a prototype for the up-and-coming superstrat movement of the 1980s, which favoured pointy Strat-shape guitars with a better choice of pickups and more playing options than Fender’s original design.

Also introduced in the 1980s was the Baby series, consisting of downsized versions of the V, Z and ML models. These guitars had ¾-sized bodies, but full-sized 22-fret necks. The ordinary Dean models, particularly the ML, had very large bodies which made it harder for younger players to use.

Dean have also exclusively designed some guitars for shred guitarist Michael Angelo Batio, who for a time held the record for fastest guitar player. He has also been voted the fastest guitarist in the world by Guitar World magazine. One such Dean custom guitar was a “quad guitar”, with four necks arranged in an X shape. Dean also made a double guitar for Batio, which looks much like the top half of this quad guitar. As of 2008 Batio has a new signature model, the MAB-1 Armorflame, a superstrat-shaped guitar with a silver flame paint scheme.

Dean is perhaps best known for its work with the late Pantera guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. Abbott was a huge fan of Dean’s ML model, which was the only guitar he used when playing with Pantera and his last band, Damageplan. He had a signature ML made, with a dark blue paint job and lightning graphic. In 2003/4 Abbott worked with Dean to make a new model based on the ML. It was called the Razorback and resembled an ML with a much pointier body. A Razorback V model was also designed, a V-shaped guitar with these points on the body. Tragically, Abbott was shot dead in December 2004 while performing with his post-Pantera band Damageplan. He was killed by a mentally disturbed member of the audience, at the age of 38. The Razorback and Razorback V models were released in 2005 as a tribute to Abbott.

Dean now has a large range, including the ever-present V, Z and ML models, the Razorbacks, which are available in a wide variety of custom finishes, the Cadillac, the Hardtail double cutaway, the Les Paul-style Soltero, the SplitTail and the Vendetta. Dean also have a very wide range of artist signature models, including the MAB-1, the CBV and MKH for Corey Beaulieu and Matt Heafy of Trivium, the Dave Mustaine VMNT signature series of Vs including a twin-neck V, the Michael Schenker series of Vs and the Leslie West Soltero.

About the Author

Flyssy is webmaster and owner of the Online Guitar Guide and Guitar Collecting websites. The online resources for all guitar and bass information, online lessons, tabs and cheap instruments. http://www.onlineguitarguide.co.uk and http://www.guitarcollecting.co.uk

Dean Dime-O-Flame ML or BC Rich Zombie?

Ok, I wanna know which Guitar I should go for out of the Dean Dime-O-Flame or the BC Rich Zombie. The Dean is £549 and the BC Rich is £300. I can buy the Dean from a shop near where I live, but if I wanted the BC Rich, I'd have to buy it off the web...

There is a huge difference between original tremolo and licensed tremolo... LICENSED tremolo will throw your guitar out of whack whereas the ORIGINAL one keeps it in tune.
I've played both guitars, one thing about the Dean, it has better pick-ups. I don't particularly like the neck action on either of those guitars, but that's up to personal preference.
Between the Dime-o-Flame and the Zombie, I'd say go with the Zombie. But if it's really more about how it sounds than how it looks, you could get a Schecter Hellraiser with the nice EMG 81/89 pickups... that'll sound really sweet.

Dean Dimebag
Dimebag Darrell playing solos with Dean Guitar

Dean Razorback Dimebag Classic $449 Dean Razorback Dimebag Classic Dean Razorback Dimebag Classic Description: RZR DB CBK Razorback Dimebag Classic Black w/case Razorback DB is the least expensive of the Razorback line. These guitars are designed by Dimebag Darrell and are the most recognizable metal guitar in the world. With its aggressive style it screams metal guitar and anyone playing this guitar will immediately be noticed. These guitars were designed by one of the greatest guitar heros of all time, Dimebag Darrell and are the most recognizable metal guitar in the world. Designed with aggressive playing style in mind, they have fast action, high-output pickups and lots of access to upper frets, you can get anywhere on the neck fast! Basswood Body 24-3/4" scale Maple bolt on neck Rosewood Fingerboard Dime Razor 12th fret inlay Grover Tuners Black chrome hardware DBD Traction knobs String through body Dean Pickups Lite Leer case included The Dean Razorback Dimebag Classic Black RZR DB CBK Guitar with Case model RZR-DB-CBK is a simple but great entry into the Razorback series guitars. Dean Razorback Dimebag Classic Features: Dimebag designed Bolt neck construction Includes Lite Leer case Classic Black, Metallic White Get your Dean Razorback Dimebag Classic today!

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Dean Dimebag Blade Tribute ML $299 Dean Dimebag Blade Tribute ML Dean Dimebag Blade Tribute Description: DIB Dimebag Blade Tribute Guitar The graphics on the Dean Dimeblade Tribute electric guitar are amazing: a Dimebag Darrell portrait, his trademark lightning and razorblade dogtag graphics, and a print of Dime's signature. It's all there and the layout is the perfect compliment to the Dimeblade body shape. Once you've taken in the view, plug it in - this is a Dean, after all! Featuring the famous Dean headstock, string-thru body "V" tailpiece and bridge position humbucker. The lightweight basswood body and comfortable Dean neck will keep you playing your best through the whole gig. Dean Dimebag Blade Tribute Features: Basswood Body Maple Neck with Rosewood Fingerboard Custom Dimebag Darrell Graphics Bolt-on Construction String Through Body Tailpiece Black hardware Dimebag Traction Knobs Single Bridge Humbucker 24.75" Scale 22 Frets Get Your Dean Dimebag Blade Tribute ML Today!

Dean Guitars USA Custom Dimebag ML Rust From Hell 35/100 Electric Guitar Dean Guitars USA Custom Dimebag ML Rust From Hell 35/100 Electric Guitar....

Dean Guitars USA Custom Dimebag ML Rust From Hell 36/100 Electric Guitar Dean Guitars USA Custom Dimebag ML Rust From Hell 36/100 Electric Guitar....

Guitar World Magazine (Dave Grohl, Zakk Wylde, Dimebag Darrell)[February 2004 - Vol. 24 / No. 2] Includes the tab with bass lines to: Metallica "St. Anger", Blink-182 "Feelin' This", Arch Enemy "We Will Rise", Stevie Ray Vaughan "Riviera Paradise", The Cars "My Best Friend's Girl" & Rage Against The Machine "Bulls on Parade"....

Dean Dimebag