Dean Jeff Berlin Exotic Signature

[MrWalker]

If anyone has any experience with this bass, I'd love to hear about it! It's the one with tigerwood top, ash body, badass bridge and bart pups.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thanks

PS! This is a crosspost between www.ebassist.com and www.talkbass.com. Hopefully I'll get some response both places!

 

[Andy Brown]

Here's a review on the standard model...

http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Data4/Dean_Guitars/Jeff_Berlin_Standard-1.html

 

[MrWalker]

Here's a review on the standard model...

http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Data4/Dean_Guitars/Jeff_Berlin_Standard-1.html

Thanks

That's a pretty good revew, and the Exotic has higher grade materials. I'm a little bit concerned about the pickup placement. I'm sure it gives great sound variation, but I'm a little worried it will make it harder to pop/slap on it.

Any experience appreciated!

 

[Philbiker]

If that bass sounds like my Peavey Palaedium (and it damn well should), popping and slapping are going to sound poor on it. Sounds incredible with a pick, fingers, or tapped, but slapping and popping are not good on the Berlin designed basses. IMO of course.

FWIW I've read that the Peavey Palaedium is significantly superior to any of the Dean Berlin signature basses. I've never tried one of these Deans but I've been very impressed with Dean in general in the past, I used to own an Edge that was great. But the Peavey is absolutely first rate in every way.

 

[Andy Brown]

If that bass sounds like my Peavey Palaedium (and it damn well should), popping and slapping are going to sound poor on it.

I find slapping and popping easy and sounding pretty good on my Palaedium, however I had a graphite neck made for mine. That could be the difference.

 

[Ben Rose]

I played one. The bridge pickup tone was killer, but I was not to fond of the neck pickup. A little hollow/poorly placed for my tastest. Fingerstyle playability was excellent.

 

[MrWalker]

I'm a bit torn... I've got two pretty good deals on my hand, one is this Dean Jeff Berlin Exotic, with a zebra wood top, and the other is an old and pretty well-used Jazz bass (assembled by one of our local top guys, either using his own parts, Warmoth parts, or a combination). Seems most people i've talked to recommend the Jazz, but it also seems the Dean is a great and fast player. And I was primarily looking for a fast bass...

It's strange how Jeff Berlin is able to create discussions, both regarding his basses and his playing, and not to forget his ego. Someone said (on another forum) that if it makes you play like Jeff, go ahead and buy it, while another said "but what if it makes him INTO Jeff"...

Unfortunately I'm not able to test both before buying... I have to decide without seeing them in person. So it's difficult. That's why I ask your experience, gentlemen.

Thanks for your input!

 

[B-Mac]

I'm a bit torn... I've got two pretty good deals on my hand, one is this Dean Jeff Berlin Exotic, with a zebra wood top, and the other is an old and pretty well-used Jazz bass (assembled by one of our local top guys, either using his own parts, Warmoth parts, or a combination). Seems most people i've talked to recommend the Jazz, but it also seems the Dean is a great and fast player. And I was primarily looking for a fast bass...

It's strange how Jeff Berlin is able to create discussions, both regarding his basses and his playing, and not to forget his ego. Someone said (on another forum) that if it makes you play like Jeff, go ahead and buy it, while another said "but what if it makes him INTO Jeff"...

Unfortunately I'm not able to test both before buying... I have to decide without seeing them in person. So it's difficult. That's why I ask your experience, gentlemen.

Thanks for your input!

Did you ever get the Zebra Wood JB?

 

[Lesfunk]

No experience with the cort, but I had a peavy palaedium backin the day and I suspect jeff wants his basses to be pretty standard to his specs.
Nice, simple passive bass with the thinnest neck ever

 

[MrWalker]

Did you ever get the Zebra Wood JB?

Yes, I did end up getting the zebra wood Dean JB. Great instrument indeed! This is quite a few years ago now, so it's long gone. I later bought another Dean JB Standard, and it was also great. However, I've passed on that one as well.
Then a Peavey Palaedium appeared... And that one still lives in my house

 

[B-Mac]

Yes, I did end up getting the zebra wood Dean JB. Great instrument indeed! This is quite a few years ago now, so it's long gone. I later bought another Dean JB Standard, and it was also great. However, I've passed on that one as well.
Then a Peavey Palaedium appeared... And that one still lives in my house

I was asking as I have seen the Czech made in:
Standard in Trans amber burst, trans amber, trans red, trans green
Exotic in Quilt Maple, Redwood Burl and a prototype in Padauk

Is there anyway you still have a picture of the Czech made Zebra wood JB?
Your picture link above is broken
If you could post it here or in Dean Club!!! That would be awesome
Thanks for responding to this old thread.

I own:
Czech Republic

Exotic quilt maple

Standard trans Amber

Standard trans Green

USA
Patchwork (1 of 3 ever made)

China
Player (active)

modified with Bass Lines pups and 3 way switch by PO
JB was with Dean for 14 years before going with Cort.
He wasn't happy that Dean decided to make the Player as it is Active and JB isn't fond of Active basses.

A USA Custom Trans Amber and China Active are leaning on the wall behind him.

Czech
Exotic
Standard

Korean
Bassic

USA
Patchwork
Basic

China
Player

 

[MrWalker]

Wow, you have built quite a reference here! I'd be happy to contribute! The photos are from 2005, so not quite up to today's digital standard. But at least they show the zebra wood finish that was available back then.

 

[B-Mac]

Wow, you have built quite a reference here! I'd be happy to contribute! The photos are from 2005, so not quite up to today's digital standard. But at least they show the zebra wood finish that was available back then.

View attachment 4191465 View attachment 4191466 View attachment 4191467

 

[MrWalker]

Yeah, I agree...
I went through a few basses back then. Now I usually keep what I buy. Wouldn't mind one of those Deans in my collection these days. But I'll be happy with the Palaedium.

 

[Nenor]

This one started as trans-red, now modified to my pref. Am I going to hell now?

 

[B-Mac]

This one started as trans-red, now modified to my pref. Am I going to hell now?

View attachment 4191626

There and back!
JK
This is now the Ronen Natural Custom Standard Modified!

 

[B-Mac]

Since this is becoming more and more of a reference page I'm going to add a few more things.

This is the Prototype I referred to in Padauk. I don't doubt its provenience but I do doubt the pups/electronics being original. Dean never used Bass Line pups. I believe whatever pups/electronics were in this bass were removed.

Czech Prototype Padauk

Chinese Player

(modified) Chinese Player

Korean Red Metallic

Czech Standard Amber Burst (Early)

Czech Standard Trans Red

Korean Blue Metallic

JB Prototype (mule for JB's 'Grinch' bass he's holding below) My Patchwork is pictured further up the page. Only 3 ever made as verified by Dean Guitars Brad Mader. I have the build sheet for mine in the case.

The USA Basic pictured below in the advertisement is the same as the Patchwork model except no top layer. Not to be confused with the Korean Bassic model

Czech Redwood Burl lifted from TB-er @Low Main with Schaller Tuners removed and gold Bridge and Gold knobs replaced with black

 

[MrWalker]

This one started as trans-red, now modified to my pref. Am I going to hell now?

View attachment 4191626

I wonder why this ad decided to show up right now below your bass??

Seriously, though, it's your preference that matters. I've heard rumors that Jeff prefer disconnected the neck pickup on his original Fender bass. But i have no idea if that holds any truth. I do know that he relies heavily on the bridge pickup.

 

[B-Mac]

I wonder why this ad decided to show up right now below your bass??

View attachment 4191835

Seriously, though, it's your preference that matters. I've heard rumors that Jeff prefer disconnected the neck pickup on his original Fender bass. But i have no idea if that holds any truth. I do know that he relies heavily on the bridge pickup.

He definitely prefers the bridge pup of that there's no doubt.
He does the same thing with his Cort.

 

[Maestro29]

Since this is becoming more and more of a reference page I'm going to add a few more things.

This is the Prototype I referred to in Padauk. I don't doubt its provenience but I do doubt the pups/electronics being original. Dean never used Bass Line pups. I believe whatever pups/electronics were in this bass were removed.

Czech Prototype Padauk
View attachment 4191751 View attachment 4191752 View attachment 4191753 Chinese Player
View attachment 4191766
(modified) Chinese Player
View attachment 4191778 View attachment 4191779 View attachment 4191780 View attachment 4191781 View attachment 4191782 Korean Red Metallic
View attachment 4191784 View attachment 4191785
Czech Standard Amber Burst (Early)
View attachment 4191787 View attachment 4191788 View attachment 4191789
Czech Standard Trans Red
View attachment 4191810 View attachment 4191811
Korean Blue Metallic
View attachment 4191833 View attachment 4191834
JB Prototype (mule for JB's 'Grinch' bass he's holding below) My Patchwork is pictured further up the page. Only 3 ever made as verified by Dean Guitars Brad Mader. I have the build sheet for mine in the case.
View attachment 4191803 View attachment 4191817
The USA Basic pictured below in the advertisement is the same as the Patchwork model except no top layer. Not to be confused with the Korean Bassic model
View attachment 4191801 View attachment 4191818
Czech Redwood Burl lifted from TB-er @Low Main with Schaller Tuners removed and gold Bridge and Gold knobs replaced with black
View attachment 4191855 View attachment 4191857

I have such nostalgia looking at this. I actually owned the exact red Czech model pictured (those are the photos from the Reverb ad I purchased it from), and I briefly owned the patchwork that you currently own. I'm kicking myself for getting rid of both....particularly the patchwork. At least I know its in good hands.