Dean Club!!!

[B-Mac]

Got it, thanks! I was just kidding around. I do feel bad for messing the bass up so bad, though. I really played and learned a lot of music on it, so it didn’t just sit in a closet unplayed, that’s for sure. The pickup screws were cutting me as were some sharp edges of the bridge. I had to get medieval on it and cut and file bridge pieces.

The Metalman series has grown on me, especially the V. With just a few upgrades, those could be fun, unique instruments. I can see right away they share practically all the same hardware.

I also just built sort of a 5 string version of the Metalman Z bass from a kit. The issue with kits is the finish. It is hard to get it perfect in the garage with spray cans.

I’m noticing the hardware on the low end guitars, basses, and kits is pretty much he same cheap stuff. I think a new low end Dean with some upgrades would result in a really good instrument. Mainly because the fit and finish is excellent, the flaw is the cheap bridge and plastic nut.

I invite you to page through the posts of this club. You’ll see quite a variety of Deans at various levels. My favorites are the USA and Czech made models, plus quite a few Korean models.

 

[Bassist59]

Can’t picture how the screws in the pickup and the bridge could be cutting you? Never heard of such a thing. I own 85 basses and only ever experienced some sharp fret ends on either side of the fretboard on some Glarry basses. I own 41 Deans never experienced a sharp edge that might cut me.

Right now I’m kind of G.A.S.-ing for the Edge 3 in Green Metallic Burst.

View attachment 3868894

Let me clarify - I remember the bridge adjustment screws were sticking way up because I was able to get the action pretty low. They were scratching and poking me, especially if I used a pick, so I think I got the hacksaw out and cut them flush with the bridge pieces. I recall doing that ended up in sharp edges Which I had to file down.

You’ll notice the screws aren’t flush with the pickup so if you’re plucking and your finger hits the screw head over and over - Ouch! I think I tried different screws from the hardware store and tried to get the ones that are countersunk...everything I did was royally messing up that bass, lol. So, to get on with playing it, I just covered the screws with black duct tape.

Needless to say, the “Zone XM” looked like POS when I was done with it. Duct tape, melted finish from the bug spray...wow. It can all be fixed.

Hey, that green 24 fret beauty will not have any of the problems I just described, that’s for sure! Get it!...wait...did you just say you own 42 Deans and 85 basses total?! That’s awesome!

 

[B-Mac]

Let me clarify - I remember the bridge adjustment screws were sticking way up because I was able to get the action pretty low. They were scratching and poking me, especially if I used a pick, so I think I got the hacksaw out and cut them flush with the bridge pieces. I recall doing that ended up in sharp edges Which I had to file down.

You’ll notice the screws aren’t flush with the pickup so if you’re plucking and your finger hits the screw head over and over - Ouch! I think I tried different screws from the hardware store and tried to get the ones that are countersunk...everything I did was royally messing up that bass, lol. So, to get on with playing it, I just covered the screws with black duct tape.

Needless to say, the “Zone XM” looked like POS when I was done with it. Duct tape, melted finish from the bug spray...wow. It can all be fixed.

Hey, that green 24 fret beauty will not have any of the problems I just described, that’s for sure! Get it!...wait...did you just say you own 42 Deans and 85 basses total?! That’s awesome!

specs on your bass

 

[Bassist59]

specs on your bass
View attachment 3869141

It’s a good instrument except for the cheapest hardware and lousiest plastic nut ever. It’s very light, no buzzing. I bought it because my kids were around 10 or 11 at the time and I intended to try to generate some interest in it so I could just give it to them...that DID NOT happen, lol. What kid wants to play “Dad’s” music?! It’s funny - my parents hated my music (Ted Nugent, KISS, Aerosmith) and so do my kids! It’s ok.

I never really thought much about it but I’ve been kind of a Dean guitar fan since the late ‘70s. I recall they had ads in Guitar Player and Guitar World magazine. A Dean to me has to have that shape - I assume it’s called the “ML” body style? Correct me if I’m wrong.

I have fond memories of looking at the quilted Dean guitars in the magazines. To me, they were like Les Pauls taken to the next level. They all looked like this back in the late ‘70s except they had Gibson-esque tune-o-matic bridges.

Those were beautiful instruments! Back then, I didn’t see any Les Pauls with quilted finishes like that, only the Deans! Come to think of it, I recall making some collage art project in school and cut out the pictures of the Deans for it! Wow, man...I haven’t thought about that in 40 freakin’ years!! Good times!

 

[B-Mac]

It’s a good instrument except for the cheapest hardware and lousiest plastic nut ever. It’s very light, no buzzing. I bought it because my kids were around 10 or 11 at the time and I intended to try to generate some interest in it so I could just give it to them...that DID NOT happen, lol. What kid wants to play “Dad’s” music?! It’s funny - my parents hated my music (Ted Nugent, KISS, Aerosmith) and so do my kids! It’s ok.

I never really thought much about it but I’ve been kind of a Dean guitar fan since the late ‘70s. I recall they had ads in Guitar Player and Guitar World magazine. A Dean to me has to have that shape - I assume it’s called the “ML” body style? Correct me if I’m wrong.

I have fond memories of looking at the quilted Dean guitars in the magazines. To me, they were like Les Pauls taken to the next level. They all looked like this back in the late ‘70s except they had Gibson-esque tune-o-matic bridges.

View attachment 3869702

Those were beautiful instruments! Back then, I didn’t see any Les Pauls with quilted finishes like that, only the Deans! Come to think of it, I recall making some collage art project in school and cut out the pictures of the Deans for it! Wow, man...I haven’t thought about that in 40 freakin’ years!! Good times!

ML, V, Z, Demonator....

 

[Bassist59]

ML, V, Z, Demonator....
View attachment 3869718

Wow! I had no idea the Razorback basses were 35” scale, 24 fret instruments! I’ve been shopping around and have seen a few Double pickup Metalman basses with the skulls for control knobs. It seems that catalogue was out a few years ago. All that’s available now seem to be very basic single pickup versions.

Do you know if Dean (or anybody) ever made a 5 string V shaped bass? All I found was a Jackson Rhodes knockoff bass from China - not the same...pass. I play 5 string and don’t want to go back to a 4.

However, I am looking forward to upgrading a Metalman V bass, it’ll be tuned BEAD. Upgraded bridge, nut, and tuners....ok, I’m repeating myself.

 

[Bassist59]

I completely forgot that I also have a Dean “Vendetta” guitar, so I guess I’ve really earned my member number after all, lol!. Technically it’s my son’s but he is not the least bit interested. This one isn’t exactly in mint condition, either. It got dropped onto the pavement when we opened the back of our SUV.

The gig bag did not offer much protection and the paint and input jack are in bad shape. Yeah - a gig bag really is little more than a dust cover.

A little Ace Frehley played on the Dean Vendetta Guitar:

 

[B-Mac]

I completely forgot that I also have a Dean “Vendetta” guitar, so I guess I’ve really earned my member number after all, lol!. Technically it’s my son’s but he is not the least bit interested. This one isn’t exactly in mint condition, either. It got dropped onto the pavement when we opened the back of our SUV.

The gig bag did not offer much protection and the paint and input jack are in bad shape. Yeah - a gig bag really is little more than a dust cover.

A little Ace Frehley played on the Dean Vendetta Guitar:

I have the bass version of it and so does @Wicked G

 

[Bassist59]

I have the bass version of it and so does @Wicked G

View attachment 3870529

Cool! FWIW - The Vendetta guitar is pretty darn good for the price and I suspect it was somewhat of a companion to the zone bass, maybe? They have the exact same unusual satin translucent brown/black paint on the body and clear satin neck. He guitar has a 24 fret neck and is very light weight.

Both the Zone bass and Vendetta guitar were as low end as could be for 2008 (I probably bought them at Christmas ‘07) but for a beginner or any serious player, they both play well.

 

[B-Mac]

Cool! FWIW - The Vendetta guitar is pretty darn good for the price and I suspect it was somewhat of a companion to the zone bass, maybe? They have the exact same unusual satin translucent brown/black paint on the body and clear satin neck. He guitar has a 24 fret neck and is very light weight.

Both the Zone bass and Vendetta guitar were as low end as could be for 2008 (I probably bought them at Christmas ‘07) but for a beginner or any serious player, they both play well.

I would say some of the Vendetta Guitars were lower line but not bottom line, but certainly not all of them and certainly not the Vendetta Bass based on catalog information.

I'm not all over Dean guitars, just the basses. And the Dean Guitars that I do like are the higher level ones like the acoustic Exotica and the hollow body Palomino.

Here are the Vendetta guitar models from 2008

Per the price chart these varied in price depending on the amount of 'bling'. The second page of Vendettas were lower line than the first page.

Here's the Vendetta bass specs

Quilt Maple top, razor wire inlays, carved relief top, Grover Tuners, Active Preamp.

Here are my two Dean Guitars that I own. I mostly just look at them since I'm not a guitar player, but I do use them to learn chords.

 

[Bassist59]

I would say some of the Vendetta Guitars were lower line but not bottom line, but certainly not all of them and certainly not the Vendetta Bass based on catalog information.

I'm not all over Dean guitars, just the basses. And the Dean Guitars that I do like are the higher level ones like the acoustic Exotica and the hollow body Palomino.

Here are the Vendetta guitar models from 2008
View attachment 3870732
View attachment 3870733
Per the price chart these varied in price depending on the amount of 'bling'. The second page of Vendettas were lower line than the first page.

Here's the Vendetta bass specs
View attachment 3870734
Quilt Maple top, razor wire inlays, carved relief top, Grover Tuners, Active Preamp.

Here are my two Dean Guitars that I own. I mostly just look at them since I'm not a guitar player, but I do use them to learn chords.
View attachment 3870747
View attachment 3870748

The Vendetta guitar I have might have been a Guitar Center exclusive or something. I might’ve bought in a different year...could’ve been Christmas during any year between ‘07 - 10. I bought it for my son. It was barely over $100.00 and is made of very light wood. It doesn’t look like the ones in the catalogue.

To be completely fair, it’s very inexpensive but plays quite nicely. I play bass primarily now just because it’s a more physical instrument and the thing is big!

 

[B-Mac]

The Vendetta guitar I have might have been a Guitar Center exclusive or something. I might’ve bought in a different year...could’ve been Christmas during any year between ‘07 - 10. I bought it for my son. It was barely over $100.00 and is made of very light wood. It doesn’t look like the ones in the catalogue.

To be completely fair, it’s very inexpensive but plays quite nicely. I play bass primarily now just because it’s a more physical instrument and the thing is big!

I need to check out your vid more closely to figure out what it is. They definitely did do some GC only models that never appeared in catalogs.

 

[Bassist59]

I need to check out your vid more closely to figure out what it is. They definitely did do some GC only models that never appeared in catalogs.

Hey, I’ll take it out of its gig bag this evening if you want and upload a photo. It never really grew on me because that dull finish (on both the Zone bass and the Vendetta guitar) just doesn’t work. Maybe dark flat paint works on a BC Rich Virgin 4 bass or a Warlock but just doesn’t do it on Fender - type guitars and basses.

Both instruments deserve to be refinished. I hope to get to the Zone Bass body this August. It’ll be gloss metallic black if I actually do it.

 

[Bassist59]

Ok, no need to pull it out and photograph it. A quick internet search revealed the “Vendetta”! This is the one. It’s funny that this isn’t a guitar I’d buy for myself. It’s great for learning on and experimenting with.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Dean/Vendetta-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar-112770616.gc

 

[Stoeps]

Hello Guys, Hello B-Mac,


So I found myself this Dean Bass on Ebay, pretty old, and with stickers and Dust all over it. My initial research points towards a "tropical" Dean Bass, so one from the early 90s, similar Models are the DB 91/94/95 but they all have the hollowed out armrest, this has a stepped armrest.
And it has a Dean logo above the Strings.

This is it after peeling of the Stickers, and getting it in better shape, does anyone know anything about model/specs, and or value?

 

[B-Mac]

Hello Guys, Hello B-Mac,

View attachment 3876977
So I found myself this Dean Bass on Ebay, pretty old, and with stickers and Dust all over it. My initial research points towards a "tropical" Dean Bass, so one from the early 90s, similar Models are the DB 91/94/95 but they all have the hollowed out armrest, this has a stepped armrest.
And it has a Dean logo above the Strings.

This is it after peeling of the Stickers, and getting it in better shape, does anyone know anything about model/specs, and or value?
View attachment 3876984 View attachment 3876985 View attachment 3876986

That's a Dean from the 'Tropical Music Days'.

It's a TB rule violation (I think) for non-supporting members to ask about value. I might be wrong.

Elliot Rubinson bought Dean from Tropical Music in 1997.

Supposedly they're decent basses. I have no catalog information on them.

However, they're are a few of these Tropical Music era Deans posted in this club with pix and vids.
Bassed on the size and shape and features it is a Dean DB-something. DO you have a picture of the back of the headstock? @BradWorld might be able to help with more information.

Check this page out

Tropical Music Deans

 

[Stoeps]

It's a TB rule violation (I think) for non-supporting members to ask about value. I might be wrong.

Oh, didn't know that, is there a way to Edit a Post?
Edit: seems I can't edit once I'm quoted or something?

However, they're are a few of these Tropical Music era Deans posted in this club with pix and vids.

Seen a few of those, even a thread with multiple of those linked (the one you just posted), but like I said all with that channel/hole design for the armrest, didn't find one like mine yet.

DO you have a picture of the back of the headstock?

 

[B-Mac]

Oh, didn't know that, is there a way to Edit a Post?
Edit: seems I can't edit once I'm quoted

There’s an edit button at the bottom left for all your posts.

You definitely have a Tropical Music era Dean bass that I haven’t seen. Wish I could tell you more about it. I just don’t have any of those catalogs (yet).

 

[Bassist59]

I just noticed the neck joint on the Metalman V. That’s not much of a neck pocket! I suppose it’s a non-issue as I have a bass where the neck does not fit snugly at all and it hasn’t broken. On my bass, the neck doesn’t even touch anything except the wood it’s screwed on to.

This kind of looks like the same situation, it’s just there’s little surrounding wood for the neck heel to contact.

Maybe that’s not the strongest neck joint, but the bass still looks cool.

 

[B-Mac]

View attachment 3880481 I just noticed the neck joint on the Metalman V. That’s not much of a neck pocket! I suppose it’s a non-issue as I have a bass where the neck does not fit snugly at all and it hasn’t broken. On my bass, the neck doesn’t even touch anything except the wood it’s screwed on to.

This kind of looks like the same situation, it’s just there’s little surrounding wood for the neck heel to contact.

Maybe that’s not the strongest neck joint, but the bass still looks cool.

It would be interesting to see how other manufacturers made their V basses for comparison. Gibson used a set neck.