Dean Club!!!

[grimhawk]

Very nice!
You don't see many Vendetta's especially the 5 string version
I own a 4 string and @Wicked G owns two
I'd also describe the neck as 'D' shape rather than 'C', however I have never seen the necks described as any certain shape in any of the catalogs that I have.
Deans necks are usually thin (0.75") and narrow (1.5") at the nut which I really enjoy, especially if they have a satin finish on the back of the neck rather than a gloss finish.
View attachment 3929149 View attachment 3929150

Welcome to Dean Club!!!

Ah yes, D shape! That's exactly what it is. Thank you. The neck on this thing is one of the best features of this bass. It makes playing 5 string very enjoyable. It's good to be in a place where people have actually heard of the Vendetta. I really like it. It's my primary bass - I use it for everything.

@grimhawk you have been issued No. 216 is Dean Club!!!
Glad to have you here!

Thank you B-Mac! Happy to be here!

 

[grimhawk]

Page from 2008 catalog

Looking at the serial number, E0705, I'm guessing my bass was built in 2007. Unless I'm not interpreting the serial number correctly.

How would you say the Vendetta compares to the Edge series? I've always been curious.

 

[B-Mac]

Looking at the serial number, E0705, I'm guessing my bass was built in 2007. Unless I'm not interpreting the serial number correctly.

How would you say the Vendetta compares to the Edge series? I've always been curious.

You're correct with the year.

I would call the Vendetta a fancy Edge bass and compares to the Edge 4Q in either four string or five string versions as they both have quilt tops and basswood bodies, however the Edge 4Q came with EMG HZ rather than the DMT pups. The Edge 4 (non quilt top) came with the DMT pups like your Vendetta originally did. However, the Vendetta has the different headstock and razor wire inlay. Although it has a similar body shape, it has a raised or carved body top (don't know how else to describe it) that none of the Edge bass bodies have.

The last year run of the Vendetta basses actually had the normal shaped Edge headstock.

 

[B-Mac]

Looking at the serial number, E0705, I'm guessing my bass was built in 2007. Unless I'm not interpreting the serial number correctly.

How would you say the Vendetta compares to the Edge series? I've always been curious.

Here's a link to @Wicked G two Vebdetta's (and Rhapsody's)
Wicked G Vendetta

 

[B-Mac]

Picked this up Saturday a week ago. 2006 Dean Edge 4QB. Spotted it on CL Tempest. Drove about and hour and 45 minutes one way for it. I already have one, but the price was so low I really couldn't pass it up...and yes, I realize that the PO wound the E and A strings around the pegs incorrectly.

 

[B-Mac]

Looking at the serial number, E0705, I'm guessing my bass was built in 2007. Unless I'm not interpreting the serial number correctly.

How would you say the Vendetta compares to the Edge series? I've always been curious.

The other thing is the FB radius. I believe they’re a 12” radius.

 

[B-Mac]

Rhapsody basses already have 24 frets, unless of course you mean you’re changing your fretless Rhapsody to a fretted Rhapsody

I have tried this with my Rhapsody HBF with a Rhapsody 1 Fretted.

Basses were made in different factories (World vs Un Sung) and the ‘easy drop in’ that I thought I’d have is still in limbo.
View attachment 3885279

Replying to my own post.
Picked up a Rhapsody HB fretted.
Going to switch the body with the HB fretless body that I got for the above project and put back together the Rhapsody 1 with it's correct neck.
Here is the Rhapsody HB fretted that I just recently found.

Going to put the neck from the above bass on this body below as I think the HBF body looks better than the HB body
I am also going to switch bridges so all the hardware on the bass body below will be black

Rhapsody 1 (Black) and Rhapsody HBF body

PO Rhapsody 1 pic

Ill fated neck swap from Rhapsody 1 to Rhapsody HBF body (neck won't tighten up close to body pocket)

More to come....stay tuned!

 

[grimhawk]

You're correct with the year.

I would call the Vendetta a fancy Edge bass and compares to the Edge 4Q in either four string or five string versions as they both have quilt tops and basswood bodies, however the Edge 4Q came with EMG HZ rather than the DMT pups. The Edge 4 (non quilt top) came with the DMT pups like your Vendetta originally did. However, the Vendetta has the different headstock and razor wire inlay. Although it has a similar body shape, it has a raised or carved body top (don't know how else to describe it) that none of the Edge bass bodies have.

The last year run of the Vendetta basses actually had the normal shaped Edge headstock.
View attachment 3929274

The other thing is the FB radius. I believe they’re a 12” radius.

Thanks for the info! Also for sharing pics of @Wicked G 's basses. Cool to see the Vendetta with the different colour options.

 

[B-Mac]

Thanks for the info! Also for sharing pics of @Wicked G 's basses. Cool to see the Vendetta with the different colour options.

U-Bet!
The Vendetta is definitely a model of bass you don't see a lot of.
Here's a blue Vendetta off of the net. I do not think it belongs to any one here.

 

[grimhawk]

U-Bet!
The Vendetta is definitely a model of bass you don't see a lot of.
Here's a blue Vendetta off of the net. I do not think it belongs to any one here.

Definitely an elusive bass! I had no idea it came in blue. I don't love that colour but maybe in person it looks better.

I wish Dean kept making this series. I will be looking for a 4-string bass in the next several months and my first thought was to try and find a 4 string Vendetta. Without being able to test basses (with the exception of a few in-stock Fender/Squier/Ibanez at my local stores), I know I like the feel of the Vendetta. I think I'd like the Edge series depending on which version it is. Obviously the newer models, Edge Pro and Edge Select are very appealing.

There really is a lack of Dean bass user reviews and demos on YouTube and around the web.

 

[grimhawk]

Picked this up Saturday a week ago. 2006 Dean Edge 4QB. Spotted it on CL Tempest. Drove about and hour and 45 minutes one way for it. I already have one, but the price was so low I really couldn't pass it up...and yes, I realize that the PO wound the E and A strings around the pegs incorrectly.
View attachment 3929328 View attachment 3929329 View attachment 3929330 View attachment 3929331 View attachment 3929332 View attachment 3929333 View attachment 3929334

From those pictures that model Edge looks so much like a Vendetta. (Sorry, I keep bringing everything back to a Vendetta! ) That's a nice looking bass. Love that tiger quilted top. I'm assuming the PO swapped in those Bartolini pups? How does it sound?

 

[B-Mac]

From those pictures that model Edge looks so much like a Vendetta. (Sorry, I keep bringing everything back to a Vendetta! ) That's a nice looking bass. Love that tiger quilted top. I'm assuming the PO swapped in those Bartolini pups? How does it sound?

That is the Edge 4QB
B stand for Bartolini
Q stands for Quilt
Same as Edge 4 except it came with the Barts and has a Quilt Maple Top on the Basswood body
Edge 4 basses were Basswood without a quilt maple top and came with the DMT pups.
Edge 4Q basses came with a Quilt Maple Top and EMG pups
All Edge 4 were active.
See the catalog page I posted a few posts previous that included the Vendetta and you'll see it.
It only came in Tiger Eye.
None of the Edge basses have the carved top like the Vendetta or the Hardtail
catalog page with Edge 4QB


The Edge doesn't have this carved or raised top like the Vendetta does.
The Hardtail also has this same type of body detail.
The horns on the Vendetta are slightly different than the horns on an Edge though the body shape is similar.

 

[B-Mac]

Definitely an elusive bass! I had no idea it came in blue. I don't love that colour but maybe in person it looks better.

I wish Dean kept making this series. I will be looking for a 4-string bass in the next several months and my first thought was to try and find a 4 string Vendetta. Without being able to test basses (with the exception of a few in-stock Fender/Squier/Ibanez at my local stores), I know I like the feel of the Vendetta. I think I'd like the Edge series depending on which version it is. Obviously the newer models, Edge Pro and Edge Select are very appealing.

There really is a lack of Dean bass user reviews and demos on YouTube and around the web.

Problem with the new Edge Pro is that it is no longer a neck thru as of 2018 or 2019 I can't recall which so the distinction between an Edge 4 and an Edge Pro, to me, is no longer there or relevant, at least to me.

 

[B-Mac]

Here is a comparison between my 2 Edge 4QB basses.
The Tiger Eye is slanted on one and straight on the other.

Purchase 2 years ago (PO pix)

Recent purchase

Real Quilt Maple Tiger Eye, not a photo finish as some would claim

 

[grimhawk]

That is the Edge 4QB
B stand for Bartolini
Q stands for Quilt
Same as Edge 4 except it came with the Barts and has a Quilt Maple Top on the Basswood body
Edge 4 basses were Basswood without a quilt maple top and came with the DMT pups.
Edge 4Q basses came with a Quilt Maple Top and EMG pups
All Edge 4 were active.
See the catalog page I posted a few posts previous that included the Vendetta and you'll see it.
It only came in Tiger Eye.
None of the Edge basses have the carved top like the Vendetta or the Hardtail
catalog page with Edge 4QB

You are a fountain of Dean bass knowledge! You are answering all of the questions I have and all of the ones I didn't know I had. It's great because you actually own these basses and are not just reading specs from the website or catalog. I've been so hesitant to purchase another Dean bass since as I mentioned, I can only go by user reviews or specs. I've got a lot of questions about the entire Dean bass lineup but I don't want to spam this thread with all of them.

Problem with the new Edge Pro is that it is no longer a neck thru as of 2018 or 2019 I can't recall which so the distinction between an Edge 4 and an Edge Pro, to me, is no longer there or relevant, at least to me.

Interesting. I guess the problem is that the Edge 4 is discontinued. The only new basses are the ones currently on the Dean website from what I've been told by Dean. So buying a used Edge 4Q could save me a lot of money and I can still get a similar quality build. I also happen to like EMG pickups (it's what I put in my Vendetta). I have heard from a Dean Artist that the DMTs are pretty good though. I have yet to see a new Dean Pro, Dean Select or Dean Pro Select in the wild. No one talks about them I'm assuming because Dean doesn't get the love other companies do and that price range is competitive. You can get some really good quality basses in that range.

Here is a comparison between my 2 Edge 4QB basses.
The Tiger Eye is slanted on one and straight on the other.

Both are beautiful. I like the colour and patterns on both but there's something about the slanted pattern that makes it really standout for me. Thank you for sharing. If you don't mind me asking, how much do those basses go for used?

 

[B-Mac]

You are a fountain of Dean bass knowledge! You are answering all of the questions I have and all of the ones I didn't know I had.
If you don't mind me asking, how much do those basses go for used?

It depends on which Edge 4 you're looking for.
Typically the Edge 4 would be the lowest of the Edge 4 series.
then the Edge 4Q
Then the Edge 4QB
Then the Edge Pro

I've seen prices range from $250 to $500 with or without a gig bag or OHSC

However the Edge 4QB that I just bought was under the above prices because the seller had no idea that it was a 'special' Dean.

The seller just thought it was an Edge one. He had no idea it had a quilt top or Barts or Grover Tuners or that it had a 2 band pre-amp.

So, that's why I drove 1 hour and 45 minutes each way to go pick it up in person.

Years ago, I believe Amazon was selling the Dean Edge Q4B back in 2010 B at a blow out price of around $250 brand new. It was basically a closeout of the model.

The Edge 4 and Edge Pro were made in the 'World' Korean plant (E) and the 'Un Sung' Korean plant (US). The S/N starting with 'E' is the from the 'World' plant and the S/N starting with 'US' is from the 'World' plant.

The Un Sung plant closed down around 2015. The World Plant is still making the Rhapsody 12 string for Dean. In 2017 or so they changed their S/N designation to 'W' instead of 'E'.

The newer Dean's are made in China and Indonesia. Only the Rhapsody 12 string is still made in Korea.

I own 3 Edge 09M basses from different years. 'M' for Mahogany. One is made in China, one is made in Korea and one is made in Indonesia and all different years of production. They all play fine and look fine. However one has a 1/4" Mahogany top on Basswood body, one has a thin veneer Mahogany top on a Basswood body and one has Mahogany stain on a Basswood body.

I bought them as part of a modding experiment that I haven't gotten around to doing yet (sorry @TheBassmaster27 ), but their prices ranged from $80 to $125 used and all in decent shape. Very basic bass that still has that awesome Dean fast neck.

Then there are the early Edge bases made in the late 90's ('97, '98,'99) that are a bit different but very nice, especially the ones made in the Czech Republic. They were made in the same plant as the Spector Euro basses and are very desirable and well made. There is one still on Reverb that came down in price recently. Might want to at least look at it.

Anyway, ask away. Dean's are underrated and people tend to rate them based on an entry level bass that they once tried out or even without ever playing one.

If you check out my profile you'll see that I own quite a few Dean basses.

Sometimes Dean will come out with something great and then the following year make some changes here or there to reduce their production costs. For instance tuners. They would have either Schaller or Grover tuners. Over time they are all pretty much no name tuners that look similar to Grover tuners. Their basses are less ornate than they used to be. They're not as innovative as they used to be. They don't have the prominent luthier/designers working for them that they used to have (Dean Zelinksy, Jon Hill, Ben Chafin, Mick Donner, etc.) The Dean's from the late 90's through on to 2013 were for me the better more innovative basses. Hopefully things will turn around. I do like the new Edge 1 six string though. Passive and just under $300. To me that is pretty amazing.

The new Select Burled Polar basses look interesting, but I haven't seen any reviewed.

The Edge 3 in Green Metallic Burst is one that was just discontinued that I was G.A.S.-ing over. Three band pre-amp with two MM type humbucker pups. @Wicked G has two with one in the Green Metallic Burst.

The 2017 Edge 4 is a very special Edge bass. Only came out in Flame Maple Trans Black matte. It was the last year for the Korean model of the Edge 4. Three band pre-amp as opposed to a two band. Also has a mid switch that even the Edge Pro of any year never had. They also made a fretless version, a 5 string and a 6 string for that same model year all with the same finish and same electronics. They are also discontinued, but you can still find N.O.S. for sale on Guitar Center and Musician's Friend. A definite sleeper. I think that they're on sale for $449 at GC now.

 

[B-Mac]

You are a fountain of Dean bass knowledge! You are answering all of the questions I have and all of the ones I didn't know I had. It's great because you actually own these basses and are not just reading specs from the website or catalog. I've been so hesitant to purchase another Dean bass since as I mentioned, I can only go by user reviews or specs. I've got a lot of questions about the entire Dean bass lineup but I don't want to spam this thread with all of them.



Interesting. I guess the problem is that the Edge 4 is discontinued. The only new basses are the ones currently on the Dean website from what I've been told by Dean. So buying a used Edge 4Q could save me a lot of money and I can still get a similar quality build. I also happen to like EMG pickups (it's what I put in my Vendetta). I have heard from a Dean Artist that the DMTs are pretty good though. I have yet to see a new Dean Pro, Dean Select or Dean Pro Select in the wild. No one talks about them I'm assuming because Dean doesn't get the love other companies do and that price range is competitive. You can get some really good quality basses in that range.



Both are beautiful. I like the colour and patterns on both but there's something about the slanted pattern that makes it really standout for me. Thank you for sharing. If you don't mind me asking, how much do those basses go for used?

Thought I'd share this with you (and everbody else again)
Why I got into Dean basses

 

[B-Mac]

You are a fountain of Dean bass knowledge! You are answering all of the questions I have and all of the ones I didn't know I had. It's great because you actually own these basses and are not just reading specs from the website or catalog. I've been so hesitant to purchase another Dean bass since as I mentioned, I can only go by user reviews or specs. I've got a lot of questions about the entire Dean bass lineup but I don't want to spam this thread with all of them.



Interesting. I guess the problem is that the Edge 4 is discontinued. The only new basses are the ones currently on the Dean website from what I've been told by Dean. So buying a used Edge 4Q could save me a lot of money and I can still get a similar quality build. I also happen to like EMG pickups (it's what I put in my Vendetta). I have heard from a Dean Artist that the DMTs are pretty good though. I have yet to see a new Dean Pro, Dean Select or Dean Pro Select in the wild. No one talks about them I'm assuming because Dean doesn't get the love other companies do and that price range is competitive. You can get some really good quality basses in that range.



Both are beautiful. I like the colour and patterns on both but there's something about the slanted pattern that makes it really standout for me. Thank you for sharing. If you don't mind me asking, how much do those basses go for used?

Nice signature by the way!

 

[grimhawk]

It depends on which Edge 4 you're looking for.
Typically the Edge 4 would be the lowest of the Edge 4 series.
then the Edge 4Q
Then the Edge 4QB
Then the Edge Pro

I've seen prices range from $250 to $500 with or without a gig bag or OHSC

However the Edge 4QB that I just bought was under the above prices because the seller had no idea that it was a 'special' Dean.

The seller just thought it was an Edge one. He had no idea it had a quilt top or Barts or Grover Tuners or that it had a 2 band pre-amp.

So, that's why I drove 1 hour and 45 minutes to go pick it up in person.

Years ago, I believe Amazon was selling the Dean Edge Q4B back in 2010 B at a blow out price of around $250 brand new. It was basically a closeout of the model.

The Edge 4 and Edge Pro were made in the 'World' Korean plant (E) and the 'Un Sung' Korean plant (US). The S/N starting with 'E' is the from the 'World' plant and the S/N starting with 'US' is from the 'World' plant.

The Un Sung plant closed down around 2015. The World Plant is still making the Rhapsody 12 string for Dean. In 2017 or so they changed their S/N designation to 'W' instead of 'E'.

The newer Dean's are made in China and Indonesia. Only the Rhapsody 12 string is still made in Korea.

I own 3 Edge 09M basses from different years. 'M' for Mahogany. One is made in China, one is made in Korea and one is made in Indonesia. They all play fine and look fine. However one has a 1/4" Mahogany top on Basswood body, one has a thin veneer Mahogany top on a Basswood body and one has Mahogany stain on a Basswood body.

I bought them as part of a modding experiment that I haven't gotten around to doing yet (sorry @TheBassmaster27 ), but their prices ranged from $80 to $125 used and all in decent shape. Very basic bass that still has that awesome Dean fast neck.

Then there are the early Edge bases made in the late 90's ('97, '98,'99) that are a bit different but very nice, especially the ones made in the Czech Republic. They were made in the same plant as the Spector Euro basses and are very desirable and well made. There is one still on Reverb that came down in price recently. Might want to at least look at it.

Anyway, ask away. Dean's are underrated and people tend to rate them based on an entry level bass that they once tried out or even without ever playing one.

If you check out my profile you'll see that I own quite a few Dean basses.

Sometimes Dean will come out with something great and then the following year make some changes here or there to reduce their production costs. For instance tuners. They would have either Schaller or Grover tuners. Over time they are all pretty much no name tuners that look similar to Grover tuners. Their basses are less ornate than they used to be. They're not as innovative as they used to be. They don't have the prominent luthier/designers working for them that they used to have (Dean Zelinksy, Jon Hill, Ben Chafin, Mick Donner, etc.) The Dean's from the late 90's through on to 2013 were for me the better more innovative basses. Hopefully things will turn around. I do like the new Edge 1 six string though. Passive and just under $300. To me that is pretty amazing.

The new Select Burled Polar basses look interesting, but I haven't seen any reviewed.

The Edge 3 in Green Metallic Burst is one that was just discontinued that I was G.A.S.-ing over. Three band pre-amp with two MM type humbucker pups. @Wicked G has two with one in the Green Metallic Burst.

The 2017 Edge 4 is a very special Edge bass. Only came out in Flame Maple Trans Black matte. It was the last year for the Korean model of the Edge 4. Three band pre-amp as opposed to a two band. Also has a mid switch that even the Edge Pro of any year never had. They also made a fretless version, a 5 string and a 6 string for that same model year all with the same finish and same electronics. They are also discontinued, but you can still find N.O.S. for sale on Guitar Center and Musician's Friend. A definite sleeper. I think that they're on sale for $449 at GC now.

That is great information. Thank you. I will keep an eye out for these basses. In fact, I'm going to go looking right now. Some of the larger dealers in Canada still have some older "new" Dean models listed in stock (online) but I will also check out the used market. Unfortunately our pricing in Canada is sometimes significantly higher than in the U.S. and U.K. For example a new $300 dollar bass may be $630 here.

I have had a look at your basses and I am blown away by the number of basses and specifically Dean basses you own. My wife would leave me .

Nice signature by the way!

Thanks... just updated it!

 

[B-Mac]

Definitely an elusive bass! I had no idea it came in blue. I don't love that colour but maybe in person it looks better.

I wish Dean kept making this series. I will be looking for a 4-string bass in the next several months and my first thought was to try and find a 4 string Vendetta. Without being able to test basses (with the exception of a few in-stock Fender/Squier/Ibanez at my local stores), I know I like the feel of the Vendetta. I think I'd like the Edge series depending on which version it is. Obviously the newer models, Edge Pro and Edge Select are very appealing.

There really is a lack of Dean bass user reviews and demos on YouTube and around the web.

Some of the SR series Ibanez basses, especially those under the SR1000 model numbers are quite similar to some Dean Basses and I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are made in the same factories in Korea.