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NBD Strange Dean

May 26, 2005
1,076
480
Montana
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist-Compton Compensated Custom Bridges (for Gretsch 6ers)
Picked up a used Dean A/E I can't find much info on. It's an AX EABC MAH GC. It's different from other Dean EABCs, in that it doesn't have the swoosh bridge, it's got active electronics with a tuner, the tuners seem to be better, and the rosette seems to be a maple inlay. It plays nicely and sounds good acoustically (louder than some acoustics I've played) and sounds great amplified.

I'm guessing it was a Guitar Center-only model from the "GC" in the model number.



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Picked up a used Dean A/E I can't find much info on. It's an AX EABC MAH GC. It's different from other Dean EABCs, in that it doesn't have the swoosh bridge, it's got active electronics with a tuner, the tuners seem to be better, and the rosette seems to be a maple inlay. It plays nicely and sounds good acoustically (louder than some acoustics I've played) and sounds great amplified.

I'm guessing it was a Guitar Center-only model from the "GC" in the model number.



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Well, I went through my catalogs and you sir get the Dean Gold Wings Award!
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Bravo I say! Bravo to you!

I only know of one other Dean GC exclusive bass and that is the Dean Zone II Bass

I've seen a few of these on GC used and it didn't register. I thought it was either the Performer DAO or the Exotica Zebra Wood. Now I think I have G.A.S. :woot:
 
Solid top?
It looks like a solid top to me, but I'm not 100%. Maybe @B-Mac knows.

It sounds real nice, but can barely keep up with one acoustic, like any A/E. Using a pick helps, but kinda ruins the tone you want from an acoustic. I hear La Bella tape-wounds offer good volume and sound good.

It can achieve lots of different tones plugged in.
 
You actually lose some volume with tapewounds, but the bronzewound tone is horrible, so they're the first thing that goes.
As for playing unplugged, I have two Dean Exoticas...D'Addario black tapewounds on both...and can't remember the last time I played either without an amp.
It definitely pays to get a nice battery-powered amp like the Roland Micro Cube for those times when you can't find a power source.
 
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It looks like a solid top to me, but I'm not 100%. Maybe @B-Mac knows.

It sounds real nice, but can barely keep up with one acoustic, like any A/E. Using a pick helps, but kinda ruins the tone you want from an acoustic. I hear La Bella tape-wounds offer good volume and sound good.

It can achieve lots of different tones plugged in.
I’m guessing it’s a laminated top, but that is only a guess.

I’ll do my best to find out more