Dean Basses

[flakeh]

Hey everyone, Just wondering, whats your opinions on Dean basses?

I saw a really nice dean metalman ML2A for sale at a local shop for 450$. Is this good?bad?

 

[afinalfantasy]

I think Dean basses aren't that great to be honest. I'd go for a Fender personally, but that's just me

 

[flakeh]

I think Dean basses aren't that great to be honest. I'd go for a Fender personally, but that's just me

explain your reasoning? what makes then not so great?

 

[FL Knifemaker]

I've played quite a few of them. The only ones that really interested me are the Bromberg Editions. I had a 5 string and just picked up a 4 string from a fellow TB. IMHO, they are the most versatile modern jass bass in their price range.

 

[flakeh]

I've played quite a few of them. The only ones that really interested me are the Bromberg Editions. I had a 5 string and just picked up a 4 string from a fellow TB. IMHO, they are the most versatile modern jass bass in their price range.

So then your saying they're OK then, right?

*edit* Or, is there any good basses that look like the
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[Philbiker]

I had an Edge 5 and it was a great bass. I'd buy Dean again.

 

[Nightsblood]

Ive got a Dean Z Tour bass (Explorer style) and I really like it. Does it play or sound as good as my Spectors? No. But, it also didnt cost as much. But for what they do cost, I think theyre pretty nice basses. I havent found one I didnt like. THey generally have thin fast necks.

As far as the Metalman series, $450 sounds pretty high. Check the web for prices. Most all the retailers carry the series. You can also find tons of info on the Dean Forum. Actually, the guys on there tend to like the pickups in the Metalman better than the EMG HZs.

 

[Nightsblood]

Dean Forum

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[flakeh]

Ive got a Dean Z Tour bass (Explorer style) and I really like it. Does it play or sound as good as my Spectors? No. But, it also didnt cost as much. But for what they do cost, I think theyre pretty nice basses. I havent found one I didnt like. THey generally have thin fast necks.

As far as the Metalman series, $450 sounds pretty high. Check the web for prices. Most all the retailers carry the series. You can also find tons of info on the Dean Forum. Actually, the guys on there tend to like the pickups in the Metalman better than the EMG HZs.

thanks for the info!

BTW its 450CDN which is about 400 or so USD. I'm also pretty sure it comes with a case.

As for them being less expensieve, thats why I'm buying one. My thunderbird stays in drop-d down a step (FCGC) and i need another bass for standard and drop-d, so this will be it.

 

[John Wentzien]

Good "bang -for -the -buck" I think.

 

[ROON]

I've always been very interested in one of these:

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I want an explorer bass, and the Epi ones apparently aren't that good. Whats the best thing to do with a cheapo Dean, replace the electronics and stuff, or just leave them as they are?

 

[Ayliffe]

my friend has a dean vendetta four string and i think it plays as well as my thumb... its fantastic, looks great too.

 

[Ayliffe]

I've always been very interested in one of these:

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I want an explorer bass, and the Epi ones apparently aren't that good. Whats the best thing to do with a cheapo Dean, replace the electronics and stuff, or just leave them as they are?

get the warwick stryker if you ahve the money

 

[ROON]

get the warwick stryker if you ahve the money

I wish.

 

[Nightsblood]

The Z Tour has the same pickups as the Spector Rebop. THe EMG HZs, so it doesnt sound bad at all out of the box. I havent changed anything on mine. Might put on a set of flats to get a bit more warmth, but thats it. Im not sure itr would make a great studio bass but for live, its awesome.

Something to look into though, cases are not easy to find. Dean cases are made by TLK I think, and even Dean doesnt know when they will be available again for the Explorer.

 

[Philbiker]

The Z Tour has the same pickups as the Spector Rebop. THe EMG HZs, so it doesnt sound bad at all out of the box. I havent changed anything on mine. Might put on a set of flats to get a bit more warmth, but thats it. Im not sure itr would make a great studio bass but for live, its awesome.

FWIW my passive Edge 5 fretless with EMG-HZ pickups recorded extremely well!

 

[Stondis]

I have a Rhapsody 12 string. It's uh... a little unwieldy.



To be honest I need to put more time in with it and wear it a bit higher!
Stupidly and pointlessly I find it has a really good sound when you (I) play it fingerstyle (i.e. only hitting the bass strings and not hitting the treble strings) so I would be interested in trying a more sane Dean bass, had my eye on a 5 string Rhapsody on Ebay for a while...

 

[Nightsblood]

Not to hijack the thread but, Where are you from in Nova Phil?

 

[ROON]

What's the fretwork like on the Dean Z Tour? Some of the enlarged photo's of low-end Dean basses look like they have shocking fretwork. Especially on the Razorback.

 

[Baryonyx]

I've never played a Dean I liked...though I had some fun with a Rhapsody 8 string, but it wasn't a great player!

I'd really like to try a Jeff Berlin model though, they look and sound excellent!