Dean Club!!!

[GTHintz]

Looking great! I'm starting to feel like Dean is a company that has the Ibanez or peavey problem which is not with the instruments they build but with the marketing and not being sought after like fenders or Rickenbacker or something along that line. Great for us who look at these because they are going for so cheap. I keep seeing Dean basses for sale very cheap so I wonder why that is. Second hand prices are crazy cheap sometimes. I see 100$ beater pink ones and edge 09 around online. It's the same with Ibanez. I see very nice basses going for cheap so I can see why it could make you think twice if you aren't familiar. My first Ibanez was a gsr205 that I got for about 150$. I still play it and I'd buy another. My sr505 is very nice and I see those going for 250 or so once in a while.

 

[GTHintz]

Since I know so very little about some things. What are the details about mine? I paid full price new. I thick that was about $838.00. Still like new as I hardly ever played it. But the gold needs polishing from time dulling it out. B-Mac, you're the man!

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Had my hollow body out for parts of the last session over here. Loved listening back to it's particular "nutty" sound and will incorporate it into the next session too.

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The only thing I can say about your edge is that it's got Grover tuners and a nice brass nut. Those alone make that bass really nice. Definitely things you find on high end basses. If that was a similar Warwick it probably would have been selling for a couple thousand. Especially neck through like that.

 

[Micha84]

I keep seeing Dean basses for sale very cheap so I wonder why that is. Second hand prices are crazy cheap sometimes. I see 100$ beater pink ones and edge 09 around online.

Well, this is the completely wrong place to write this, but the Edge 09s are going cheap because they are not that great *ducks the flying stones*
They are perfectly playable lower tier instruments, but there are just so many alternatives from better known manufacturers that they don't sell well used.

I live in Germany and am always on the hunt for Dean instruments as well. Sometimes I come across good deals for their mid-tier basses. What is absolutely crazy though are asking prices for their heavy guitars. Any model that has some spikes, any artist's name on it and a fancy paint job goes for insane fantasy prices: 4.000€ or more is not uncommon.
I like my Deans, but come on...

 

[GTHintz]

Well, this is the completely wrong place to write this, but the Edge 09s are going cheap because they are not that great *ducks the flying stones*
They are perfectly playable lower tier instruments, but there are just so many alternatives from better known manufacturers that they don't sell well used.

I live in Germany and am always on the hunt for Dean instruments as well. Sometimes I come across good deals for their mid-tier basses. What is absolutely crazy though are asking prices for their heavy guitars. Any model that has some spikes, any artist's name on it and a fancy paint job goes for insane fantasy prices: 4.000€ or more is not uncommon.
I like my Deans, but come on...

It's also a company that definitely is known for guitars first. Especially guys in the heavy rock and metal scene. I think the basses are 2nd. But still pretty cool and lesser known. Dark horses if you will.

 

[B-Mac]

Well, this is the completely wrong place to write this, but the Edge 09s are going cheap because they are not that great *ducks the flying stones*
They are perfectly playable lower tier instruments, but there are just so many alternatives from better known manufacturers that they don't sell well used.

I live in Germany and am always on the hunt for Dean instruments as well. Sometimes I come across good deals for their mid-tier basses. What is absolutely crazy though are asking prices for their heavy guitars. Any model that has some spikes, any artist's name on it and a fancy paint job goes for insane fantasy prices: 4.000€ or more is not uncommon.
I like my Deans, but come on...

Edge 09 is basic entry level one step above the Zone Bass.
One great thing about them for me is the neck. YMMV

Most peeps have no clue.

See list of Edge basses above for what I mean.

 

[GTHintz]

The instruments aren't really the problem it's the suits running the place. Ive looked at the lawsuits and the ownership fighting and to me it's the reason why they don't have the market exposure. It's a tough market already but they aren't doing themselves any favors.

 

[Bass Ape]

Dean basses are great! So many “better than the avg 1st time player” basses. The Dean edge, staple of rock and a step up from a sound gear from Ibinez.

However, the beat Dean bass, is not a Dean. It’s a DZPL.

 

[B-Mac]

Dean basses are great! So many “better than the avg 1st time player” basses. The Dean edge, staple of rock and a step up from a sound gear from Ibinez.

However, the beat Dean bass, is not a Dean. It’s a DZPL.

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Dean Zelinsky Private Label unfortunately discontinued the Mule Bass.

I was hoping to try one out, along with one from his previous endeavor, DBZ Imperial.

 

[B-Mac]

The instruments aren't really the problem it's the suits running the place. Ive looked at the lawsuits and the ownership fighting and to me it's the reason why they don't have the market exposure. It's a tough market already but they aren't doing themselves any favors.

The lawsuits have no merit.
Dean and others have been making Explorer's and V's since the late 70's and Gibson never did squat.
Once the latest owners of Gibson took over they've been going after quite a few companies. Dean is the only one with the chutzpa to fight back.

It's a shame about Evan, but his mother had every right to fire him. Embezzling over 400k isn't like stealing a couple of twenties from you Mom's wallet.

And anyone who can't see the difference between these two headstocks shouldn't be driving.

 

[Bass Ape]

Dean Zelinsky Private Label unfortunately discontinued the Mule Bass.

I was hoping to try one out, along with one from his previous endeavor, DBZ Imperial.

Dean told me he wants to do another run but they will be around the $1500 range. I know he still has some Mule necks laying around, and some pick guards.

Unfortunately, he’s in the position of having some large back stock of guitars he needs to move and since he sells direct, they move slow.

I bought this as a piece of history, unfortunately, I don’t play it much because the string spacing is too narrow for my style. Other than that, it’s the best bass build I’ve ever played. Feels like a $4000 bass. I just wish it was 18mm or wider.

 

[B-Mac]

Dean told me he wants to do another run but they will be around the $1500 range. I know he still has some Mule necks laying around, and some pick guards.

Unfortunately, he’s in the position of having some large back stock of guitars he needs to move and since he sells direct, they move slow.

I bought this as a piece of history, unfortunately, I don’t play it much because the string spacing is too narrow for my style. Other than that, it’s the best bass build I’ve ever played. Feels like a $4000 bass. I just wish it was 18mm or wider.

He's also licensing his Z glide necks to other companies. Eastwood is using them on some new guitars. z-glide

 

[B-Mac]

Dean told me he wants to do another run but they will be around the $1500 range. I know he still has some Mule necks laying around, and some pick guards.

Unfortunately, he’s in the position of having some large back stock of guitars he needs to move and since he sells direct, they move slow.

I bought this as a piece of history, unfortunately, I don’t play it much because the string spacing is too narrow for my style. Other than that, it’s the best bass build I’ve ever played. Feels like a $4000 bass. I just wish it was 18mm or wider.

BTW, I own a Dean Edge Hammer 10 that both Rubinson and Zelinsky signed

 

[GTHintz]

Well Gibson sucks so they think they can copywrite everything. I wish Dean could find a better group to take over the Dean name. I don't think the name is going to die out. More people know Dean than even know about his DZ customs he builds.

 

[B-Mac]

Well Gibson sucks so they think they can copywrite everything. I wish Dean could find a better group to take over the Dean name. I don't think the name is going to die out. More people know Dean than even know about his DZ customs he builds.

Armadillo Enterprises owns Dean Guitars, Luna Guitars and DDrums, so I think it'll stay that way for a while.
Dean was great under Elliot Rubinson. Very innovative and creative. Had exclusive use of Aphex aural exciter and big bottom circuitry for the Exotica ABG and the USA Spire, USA Entwistle Hybrid and USA Entwistle Spider.

 

[GTHintz]

Well I figured I'd post my nbd on here since it's only fitting. The Dean edge came home with me after a decent road trip. About 1 hour 45 minutes to get there and a couple hours to get home. I met a nice girl and guy working at the music shop selling it. They showed me the other basses and things hanging out and had some fun on a cool upright bass after looking the edge over and decided to get it. Got a gig bag and a couple stickers with it. So something I notice that might be a 35" scale thing is that the string stiffness is pretty noticeably higher than the other basses I've played. Could that be scale length or just really stiff strings causing that? The string height is fairly low on it and they are a stainless hex core made by fender. They kept the package in the bag which was nice. But anyway aside from that I like the build quality and fretwork. No sharp frets and the neck is pretty straight. Nice tone especially since I haven't even had time to dial in the pickups and string action the way I like yet. I think I'm going to be happy with it once I get the time to get it set up for my playing.

 

[B-Mac]

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Well I figured I'd post my nbd on here since it's only fitting. The Dean edge came home with me after a decent road trip. About 1 hour 45 minutes to get there and a couple hours to get home. I met a nice girl and guy working at the music shop selling it. They showed me the other basses and things hanging out and had some fun on a cool upright bass after looking the edge over and decided to get it. Got a gig bag and a couple stickers with it. So something I notice that might be a 35" scale thing is that the string stiffness is pretty noticeably higher than the other basses I've played. Could that be scale length or just really stiff strings causing that? The string height is fairly low on it and they are a stainless hex core made by fender. They kept the package in the bag which was nice. But anyway aside from that I like the build quality and fretwork. No sharp frets and the neck is pretty straight. Nice tone especially since I haven't even had time to dial in the pickups and string action the way I like yet. I think I'm going to be happy with it once I get the time to get it set up for my playing.

I'm not a string stiffness expert, but considering the amount of 5 string layers on TB, I'm sure someone can direct you to a 5 string set for 35" scale (most 5 string basses are 35" scale, but not all) that is more to your liking.
@NicJimBass comes to mind. @Bass Ape just posted his fiver, so maybe he knows?

 

[GTHintz]

I'm not a string stiffness expert, but considering the amount of 5 string layers on TB, I'm sure someone can direct you to a 5 string set for 35" scale (most 5 string basses are 35" scale, but not all) that is more to your liking.
@NicJimBass comes to mind. @Bass Ape just posted his fiver, so maybe he knows?

I'm sure there's a thread on here that hits on the subject. What's interesting though is that all the other 5 strings I have are all 34". I might have super stiff strings as well. That'll make a big difference. They are 125-45 which is a typical medium gauge set but they could be a stiff core or thicker than average outer wrap.

 

[B-Mac]

I'm sure there's a thread on here that hits on the subject. What's interesting though is that all the other 5 strings I have are all 34". I might have super stiff strings as well. That'll make a big difference. They are 125-45 which is a typical medium gauge set but they could be a stiff core or thicker than average outer wrap.

Entire String Forum https://www.talkbass.com/forums/strings-bg.16/ that is bound to have the solution.

 

[Bass Ape]

I'm not a string stiffness expert, but considering the amount of 5 string layers on TB, I'm sure someone can direct you to a 5 string set for 35" scale (most 5 string basses are 35" scale, but not all) that is more to your liking.
@NicJimBass comes to mind. @Bass Ape just posted his fiver, so maybe he knows?

I use D’addario XLs, but play 34 scale, any Long scale set should work on a 35”.

 

[B-Mac]

I use D’addario XLs, but play 34 scale, any Long scale set should work on a 35”.

Yes, but he wants to know about string tension. Will those strings that you use end up too stiff on his 35" scale bass?