My new toy - Dean Jeff Berlin

[excane]

Every once in a while you find yourself kicking your own ass for not jumping on a deal when you find it.... I've learned from the past not to have that regret.

I just picked this up Jeff Berlin Dean today from a super nice ebay seller in the Bronx. I know there have been a lot of questions regarding the availability, so I called Dean last week and they told me they are starting production again on the USA model which should be moving out to stores in a few months.

This is the overseas model but the action, sound, finish is tremendous. The best part about it.....$200 with a gig bag!

It also has a active/passive switch (push/pull volume knob) which I wasn't aware of.

I love this bass....LOVE it.
I think next to my Fender, they make a nice pair

 

[Arpeggiator]

thats a great finish (on both basses)

 

[Nobody]

That is an AWESOME deal!!! What's the neck like?

 

[broadblik]

It's active? I thought the point of it being a Jeff Berlin Model was that it was passive...

 

[excane]

The neck is ridiculously thin and fast. I may very well use the Dean for shredding....it plays like butter!

 

[excane]

The USA model (you can watch a demo video of Jeff playing it on Dean's website) is passive.

These models are active/passive. The active bass and treble just don't work in passive mode, only volume and pickup blend.

 

[Wilbyman]

There was never a USA version (maybe Jeff's own bass, made by Mick D.) but there was a Czech version.

Well, you're right...it's on the Dean site (USA JB):

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It looks like a Beav rendering

 

[bassrique]

I just saw one of these on my local CL:

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I almost pulled the trigger, but I really don't need any more basses. Too bad.

 

[excane]

^^ I would definitely jump on that one!

 

[Ben Lesser]

That's a gorgeous finish. Nice bass, man!

 

[excane]

Thanks

I seriously can't tell you enough how good it sounds and plays.

 

[excane]

I was originally thinking of swapping out the pickups and preamp and putting in Bart's, but I am totally shocked at how good it sounds with the stock PUP's and pre.

 

[EagleMoon]

I agree that it's a great finish on there. The slight sunburst is really nice. How much does the bass weigh? Is it on the heavy side?

 

[excane]

I agree that it's a great finish on there. The slight sunburst is really nice. How much does the bass weigh? Is it on the heavy side?

It's actually on the light side....slightly lighter than my Fender. I was curious already before, so I think I'm going to weigh it when I get a chance.

 

[bassman03]

Oooo.... very pretty! How's it sound?

 

[Micolao]

HUGE deal!

 

[Baryonyx]

I saw the exact same model for sale on a British forum last year. The worst thing was though that it was over twice what you paid for yours! I was tempted though, they look like awesome basses!

 

[excane]

Oooo.... very pretty! How's it sound?

Fantastic.

Throaty, punchy, growly mids, and the active bass control really has a nice bottom to it. The treble control is much tamer, (not the "breaking glass" type of high) but a very usable range that can make this bass sound great with a pick in a rock setting.

 

[Jared Lash]

Nice.


Did it come with a fannypack?

 

[west*coast*bass]

That's a great looking bass...I have been curious about these for a while. The burl top is gorgeous! I would not hesitate if I ever came across one at that price point!!

CONGRATS!!