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New 2018 Dean Hillsboro

Lammchop93

Lammchop93

Supporting Member
Feb 4, 2007
8,867
14,200
Southern Indiana (Louisville, KY)
#1
It seems like Dean guitars have really struggled lately to keep up with some of the other similar manufacturers like Schecter and Ibanez. However, I have a Dean Hillsboro bass I bought 5 years ago or so, and I must say, it's playability rivals some $1000+ basses I own. They discontinued the Hillsboro series a year or two ago, for whatever reason. I saw today that they are coming out with a new signature version of it for John Lawhon of Black Stone Cherry. Looks like a pretty cool bass with simple controls!

I'm a huge fan of seafoam and Black Stone Cherry, so maybe someday this will end up in my arsenal.

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Jon Lawhon Hillsboro - Sea Foam Green | Dean Guitars
 
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#5
kodiakblair said:
No idea who Jon Lawhon or Black Stone Cherry are but I like the looks of that bass :)

Was kinda gutted when the Hillsboro got scrapped :thumbsdown: Just need to find a shop in Scotland that'll stock them, our shops look like 3D billboard ads foe FMIC :(
Click to expand...

They are a Southern Rock band, and are actually pretty huge in the UK. I think they are bigger there, than they are in the US.
 
#7
Lammchop93 said:
It seems like Dean guitars have really struggled lately to keep up with some of the other similar manufacturers like Schecter and Ibanez. However, I have a Dean Hillsboro bass I bought 5 years ago or so, and I must say, it's playability rivals some $1000+ basses I own. They discontinued the Hillsboro series a year or two ago, for whatever reason. I saw today that they are coming out with a new signature version of it for John Lawhon of Black Stone Cherry. Looks like a pretty cool bass with simple controls!

I'm a huge fan of seafoam and Black Stone Cherry, so maybe someday this will end up in my arsenal.

View attachment 2879349

Jon Lawhon Hillsboro - Sea Foam Green | Dean Guitars
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I definitely like this one, especially the art deco pickguard…definitely looks better than the typical standard shape so many other basses use.
Reminds me of Yamaha AES 800 and 500 guitar pickguards or the Fender JP90s.
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#9
I was web surfing and found something interesting as well as totally new to me. I started watching video after video about this Dean bass and have become 100% enthralled with this instrument. I'm sure each of you have at one or more times in your lives, had that moment of clarity...... The exact point in time when everything stops and shows as if seen through crystalline optics.

The memory of a song by Rush plays upon my subconscious as the words ring in my ears

"What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?

See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Chords that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain."

The moment when you admit to yourself that nothing on this earth is going to deny you from holding - playing - neigh..... Anything shy of owning & coveting this prize will never do. Well it was/is kinda sorta like that for me.

So guess what I'm looking for now? I just did my taxes and I'm in for a small windfall this year thanks for some last minute legislation ;-)
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Now I'm hearing Roger Waters singing "Crazy" From Pink Floyd's Wall album. The 70s definitely left a deep impact on me. I wonder if that means something? LOL!!!
 
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#10
Tejas

Do a search for 'resonator' and a bunch of posts will come up. Some are for this resonator bass. I've been looking at this since it came out about 5 years ago or so. I'm hesitant to pay for a new and have been looking for a used one. Problem is you don't find any used ones which tells me that the people who bought them like them and are holding on to them.
 
#11
B-Mac said:
Tejas

Do a search for 'resonator' and a bunch of posts will come up. Some are for this resonator bass. I've been looking at this since it came out about 5 years ago or so. I'm hesitant to pay for a new and have been looking for a used one. Problem is you don't find any used ones which tells me that the people who bought them like them and are holding on to them.
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Yes I agree that there are only a few out there for sale used. But then again it could be that this is just a very rare item. I have been around acoustic instruments for around 50 years and this was the first time I have ever even seen a resonator bass. With the sounds they produce and their versatility, it's hard for me to understand that they are not more mainstream than they are. I am in no rush to buy one which means I can take my time to find the object of my desire at a good price. We have a monthly weekend long acoustic only bluegrass jam session very close to me (In Pearl Texas playfully known as the the Pearl Jam) and I have always wanted to join in rather than being just an observer. With this instrument I'd be able to join in as well as being the loveable unique oddball that everyone that knows me expects me to be LOL!!!! Although I'll finally be sporting my exotic quilted ash acoustic bass during the next gathering. But the resonator bass just seems to be the perfect match for that venue and my personality. Just imagine me riding up on my home made springer Harley pickup truck trike with a resonator bass strapped over my shoulder....
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It would be a very cool "walk in" to a public bluegrass jam session whadoyathink? At least it plays out as very cool in my mind. That and it combines two of my favorite things in this world.... Not to mention what it would look like to folks that drive up behind me.... Kind of a modern day Arlo Guthrie - Norman Rockwell - David Mann (Easy Rider artist) painting comes to mind. LOL!!!
 

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#12
Tejas Thumper said:
Yes I agree that there are only a few out there for sale used. But then again it could be that this is just a very rare item. I have been around acoustic instruments for around 50 years and this was the first time I have ever even seen a resonator bass. With the sounds they produce and their versatility, it's hard for me to understand that they are not more mainstream than they are. I am in no rush to buy one which means I can take my time to find the object of my desire at a good price. We have a monthly weekend long acoustic only bluegrass jam session very close to me (In Pearl Texas playfully known as the the Pearl Jam) and I have always wanted to join in rather than being just an observer. With this instrument I'd be able to join in as well as being the loveable unique oddball that everyone that knows me expects me to be LOL!!!! Although I'll finally be sporting my exotic quilted ash acoustic bass during the next gathering. But the resonator bass just seems to be the perfect match for that venue and my personality. Just imagine me riding up on my home made springer Harley pickup truck trike with a resonator bass strapped over my shoulder....
View attachment 2886386

It would be a very cool "walk in" to a public bluegrass jam session whadoyathink? At least it plays out as very cool in my mind. That and it combines two of my favorite things in this world.... Not to mention what it would look like to folks that drive up behind me.... Kind of a modern day Arlo Guthrie - Norman Rockwell - David Mann (Easy Rider artist) painting comes to mind. LOL!!!
Click to expand...

I think you'd knock'em dead! Keep on truckin', er, uh, bikin' !!!!
 

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