Dean Club!!!

[gormsby]

Truss rod question: Anyone here know whether the Dean Edge 4s from ca 2012 had double-action rods? Have a neck here that's pretty much dead flat with new strings up to tension (D'Addario 100s), needs a little relief. Rod is feeling fairly slack, so I think it's almost neutral, and wondering if going counter/anti-clockwise a bit more will give me some forward bow. Dean Edge, 4 knobs, Korea, SN E120623.

 

[B-Mac]

Truss rod question: Anyone here know whether the Dean Edge 4s from ca 2012 had double-action rods? Have a neck here that's pretty much dead flat with new strings up to tension (D'Addario 100s), needs a little relief. Rod is feeling fairly slack, so I think it's almost neutral, and wondering if going counter/anti-clockwise a bit more will give me some forward bow. Dean Edge, 4 knobs, Korea, SN E120623.

I’m looking into it.

 

[Jv-d]

I’m looking into it.

Gormsby
You're in good hands with BMac!

 

[RL5]

Hi all. I've been looking for a Dean John Entwistle Spider bass (the import version, since I'm not a professional player, and this will largely be for looks). I haven't been able to find one through the regular channels (classifieds on here and Reverb). Anyone plan to post one for sale on here? If so, let me know. I'm very interested! Thanks.

 

[OldBlue61]

I have a chance to pick up a 2nd Dean bass, a Rhapsody 4 string from 2004, though I think that according to the serial number it may be a 2005? Guy bought it new, and may just not remember correctly. Regardless, I believe it's a Q4? Is that correct? Looks to have a 3-band EQ, and either 2 seperate volume controls or volume/balance? Not sure. Anything out of the ordinary I should be on the lookout for? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[2many]

I used to have one of those! Yes, two volume knobs. Nice bass!

 

[B-Mac]

I have a chance to pick up a 2nd Dean bass, a Rhapsody 4 string from 2004, though I think that according to the serial number it may be a 2005? Guy bought it new, and may just not remember correctly. Regardless, I believe it's a Q4? Is that correct? Looks to have a 3-band EQ, and either 2 seperate volume controls or volume/balance? Not sure. Anything out of the ordinary I should be on the lookout for? Any help would be appreciated.

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Sweet. definitely looks like 2005 or earlier as the logo is vertical rather than horizontal. I have one in trans black quilt.

 

[B-Mac]

Truss rod question: Anyone here know whether the Dean Edge 4s from ca 2012 had double-action rods? Have a neck here that's pretty much dead flat with new strings up to tension (D'Addario 100s), needs a little relief. Rod is feeling fairly slack, so I think it's almost neutral, and wondering if going counter/anti-clockwise a bit more will give me some forward bow. Dean Edge, 4 knobs, Korea, SN E120623.

According to Brad Mader at Dean (Armadillo Enterprises), your Dean, based on year given has a dual action truss rod. Righty Tighty, Lefty Losey.

Left will give you relief as the strings will pull the neck forward. Right will pull the neck back causing back bow. Left - Right based on looking down from the headstock toward the body.

 

[B-Mac]

I have a chance to pick up a 2nd Dean bass, a Rhapsody 4 string from 2004, though I think that according to the serial number it may be a 2005? Guy bought it new, and may just not remember correctly. Regardless, I believe it's a Q4? Is that correct? Looks to have a 3-band EQ, and either 2 seperate volume controls or volume/balance? Not sure. Anything out of the ordinary I should be on the lookout for? Any help would be appreciated.

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Just usual things to look for anytime you’re looking at used basses. Necks are 5 piece and very stable. Put a battery in it. It should be dead quiet with the EMG HZ. Make sure the Grover tuners are still on it. They do get cannibalized sometimes. Make sure the truss rod moves in both directions.

Look for fret wear in case it’s been gigged a lot. Make sure all controls work. As @2many said, being an early Rhapsody it should be vol/vol/bass/mid/treb

Later models like my 12 string model are vol/bal/bass/mid/treb, but that could be because it was made at Un Sung factory in South Korea. The one you’re looking at was made at World Music factory in South Korea

 

[OldBlue61]

Just usual things to look for anytime you’re looking at used basses. Necks are 5 piece and very stable. Put a battery in it. It should be dead quiet with the EMG HZ. Make sure the Grover tuners are still on it. They do get cannibalized sometimes. Make sure the truss rod moves in both directions.

Look for fret wear in case it’s been gigged a lot. Make sure all controls work. As @2many said, being an early Rhapsody it should be vol/vol/bass/mid/treb

Later models like my 12 string model are vol/bal/bass/mid/treb, but that could be because it was made at Un Sung factory in South Korea. The one you’re looking at was made at World Music factory in South Korea

Thank you sir! As usual, a fountain of Dean knowledge!

 

[B-Mac]

I have a chance to pick up a 2nd Dean bass, a Rhapsody 4 string from 2004, though I think that according to the serial number it may be a 2005? Guy bought it new, and may just not remember correctly. Regardless, I believe it's a Q4? Is that correct? Looks to have a 3-band EQ, and either 2 seperate volume controls or volume/balance? Not sure. Anything out of the ordinary I should be on the lookout for? Any help would be appreciated.

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From 2003 catalog
The Rhapsody Q4 (actual model name) doesn't appear in the 2004 price list or any after that. So your Bass is a 2003/2004 at the latest. Dean S/N didn't really start dating correctly until 2008.

2003 Price List

2005 catalog only has Rhapsody HB, Rhapsody HBF, Rhapsody 8, Rhapsody 12

 

[B-Mac]

Thank you sir! As usual, a fountain of Dean knowledge!

Also, if you want or need a super low action, this particular two piece bridge won't really do it for you without shimming the neck. I'm a pick player and like my action on the high side so this isn't an issue for me, but it may be for you. @2many has gotten good results using a shim as have others.

 

[OldBlue61]

2005 catalog only has Rhapsody HB, Rhapsody HBF, Rhapsody 8, Rhapsody 12

That makes sense. 2004 at the latest then. I tend to like more of a medium action, so I'll take a good look at it.

 

[2many]

I can't remember if it was the fretless or the 12str rhapsody I was shimming, but it was easy. Pretty sure it was the 12 because I seem to recall having a lot of time with all the strings. And too, it was important to get the action on the 12 more suitably playable. My amber Q4 was the first dean I bought. It was great. I only sold it because of all the other deans.

Q4

 

[B-Mac]

Truss rod question: Anyone here know whether the Dean Edge 4s from ca 2012 had double-action rods? Have a neck here that's pretty much dead flat with new strings up to tension (D'Addario 100s), needs a little relief. Rod is feeling fairly slack, so I think it's almost neutral, and wondering if going counter/anti-clockwise a bit more will give me some forward bow. Dean Edge, 4 knobs, Korea, SN E120623.

Here's the actual response/screen grab

 

[gormsby]

Here's the actual response/screen grab
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Thanks B-Mac! First quarter turn CCW got me most of the way there. Letting that settle and give it one more nudge.

 

[B-Mac]

My apologies, but I've been negligent in giving out member numbers.
If anyone from the following list that still has the Dean they posted and wants a number please let me know.

@bassmanhealy
@Ben138
@gormsby
@Mark_L
@bassy
@Vagner
@GroovySmalls
@Goooler
@Tpi
@HeavyDuty
@Mark Gollihur
@Rick Cole
@Swift713
@Marclh97
@smoothbrain
@mydogfarted
@Jason Bonilla
@RICHIERICH66

 

[mydogfarted]

Please sir, might I have a number?
(I thought I had one)

 

[RICHIERICH66]

I'll have a number, please.

 

[Wicked G]

I have a chance to pick up a 2nd Dean bass, a Rhapsody 4 string from 2004, though I think that according to the serial number it may be a 2005? Guy bought it new, and may just not remember correctly. Regardless, I believe it's a Q4? Is that correct? Looks to have a 3-band EQ, and either 2 seperate volume controls or volume/balance? Not sure. Anything out of the ordinary I should be on the lookout for? Any help would be appreciated.

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Oh I was looking for one of those for years . I have two, one in Trans Black and the other in Trans Powder Purple, but the Amber was the one I always wanted and could never find one in excellent condition. Actually I never found one period.

I've had many basses come and go, but those two have remained with me since I purchased them new sometime around 2004-ish. Yours looks in really good condition. Congratulations and I hope yours gives you as much pleasure as mine have given me .