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Dean Jeff Berlin - How many models?

#21
I believe he was with Cort from 2014 onward, using the Rithimic model. I remember a post from Jeff on Myspace where he mentioned that he wasn't happy with the spec of one of the lower tier models. I believe it would have been the Basic model. Jeff had said the Bartolini pickups and Bad Ass bridge were integral to the overall bass. I guess he figured the omission of these items those items on cost grounds was a compromise he could not endorse. He did say with those respective upgrades even the Basic could be a great bass. I respected him tremendously for being so honest. Free artists would have the integrity or the stature to speak a truth like that when they're in a deal with a manufacturer.
 
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#22
Nenor said:
Hey @B-Mac, thanks for inviting me here. The green JB has been traded more than a decade ago. I really liked the sound and the neck was thin and ultra fast. However it was very unstable and even with truss rod completely loosen it had a back bow and buzzed like crazy so I got rid of it. It also had a flat headstock and I felt it could benefit from a string tree.
The one I own now is actually older than the green one. I think it's from the first or second batch of production. It has the angled headstock (like the one on your second photo) with different tuner style and position. It doesn't say handcrafted, just made in.. It has a bit more thickness to the neck and it's super stable. The output jack is also different, the one I have has the football plate style.
Since these (although rare find) are totally under-rated and usually pretty cheap I made some modifications to mine. I replaced all pots with CTS ones and added a 3-way toggle switch for three different capacitor values for the tone control. That's a great addition for any bass with passive tone control. Since the CTS pots have larger shafts I had to use other knobs so less gold, more black plastic. Here it is:

View attachment 3524683 View attachment 3524684
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Still has the Barts? Don't ever replace them. They are custom just for this bass. Nice :-)
 
#23
India_Sierra said:
I believe he was with Cort from 2014 onward, using the Rithimic model. I remember a post from Jeff on Myspace where he mentioned that he wasn't happy with the spec of one of the lower tier models. I believe it would have been the Basic model. Jeff had said the Bartolini pickups and Bad Ass bridge were integral to the overall bass. I guess he figured the omission of these items those items on cost grounds was a compromise he could not endorse. He did say with those respective upgrades even the Basic could be a great bass. I respected him tremendously for being so honest. Free artists would have the integrity or the stature to speak a truth like that when they're in a deal with a manufacturer.
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Actually it was when they started the Chinese 'Player' model with the 4 knobs which is in the 2007/2008 catalog. The 'Bassic' was one of the 2001 models if you look at the (2001) catalog pages above.
Jeff really didn't like the 'Player' because it wasn't just cheaper materials, but that Dean went ahead and made it an Active bass, which Jeff isn't into at all.
 
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#26
One odd thing is that my MIC Player model pictured above has a switch on it and Bass Lines pups which are made by Seymour Duncan and it is an active bass. I do not know if that was a previous owner mod or not, but I have yet to find another MIC Player model like it. If it is a PO mod it is very well done.
Other 'Player' models are also active but do not have a switch and do not have Bass Lines pups just no-name DMT soap bar pups.
 
#27
You know, one of the biggest mysteries with those basses (Czech made) was if there are graphite bars in the necks or not. Maybe someone here can shed some light on that.
 
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#31
MIC 'Player' currently on MGR for $179 plus shipping

40015-S000221857-1
 
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#35
#38
Skillet said:
I guess you asked in the right place! :)

I know you specified Dean, but I also wouldn't mind running across a deal on the Cort.
Invalid Link Removed
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Yeah, this is the model that got me curious about the whole “Jeff Berlin” thing. I think it’s killer looking, a little more than I want to spend at the moment. I am intrigued by the Dean and the Peavey! I am currently trying to sell another bass, so when that one goes I’ll really be on the hunt!
 
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#39
B-Mac said:
Some TB links concerning the Jeff Berlin Signature Bass

Dean Jeff Berlin 5
My new toy - Dean Jeff Berlin
SOLD - Dean Jeff Berlin Standard Czech made bass
SOLD - "Jeff Berlin" Model Bass-Reduced to 5 Shipped!! Trans Red/Gold/Barts/BadAss II -Very Nice!
Dean Jeff Berlin Patchwork q's
SOLD - Jeff Berlin (dean) euro made
SOLD - Czech Dean Jeff Berlin
NBD! Dean Jeff Berlin
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Very interesting indeed! So, the Czech made basses seem to go for about 1/2 the price of the new Cort. Are the Corts nicer instruments? They seem to have many of the same components...am I missing something?
 
#40
No idea about the cort model. If you can find a Dean however, for $300-400 you get an alder body, 3 piece maple neck, thick ebony board, badass bridge, custom bartolini's, schaller tuners. That's an unbelievable deal. I cannot think of any other bass in this price range that will come near it.
 
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