DEAN Frana TR
- similar to Frana TM, except has gold hardware, Shadow P7 electronics, rosewood back and sides, AB multi-ply binding, available in Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 2001-02.
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The original Evanston, Illinois-based company was founded by Dean Zelinsky in 1977. Zelinsky, fond of classic Gibson designs, began building high quality electric solid body instruments and eventually started developing his own designs. Originally, there were three models: The V (similar to the Flying V), the Z (Explorer body shape), and the ML (sort of a cross between the V and an Explorer - and named after the initials of Matt Lynn, Zelinsky's best friend growing up). As the company's guitars gained popularity, production facilities were moved to Chicago in 1980.
In 1986, Dean closed the USA Shop, leaving all construction to be completed overseas. The U.S. market had shifted towards the then-popular bolt neck super-strat design, and Zelinsky's personal taste leaned in the opposite direction. Zelinsky sold Dean Guitars in 1990 to Oscar Medros, founder and owner of Tropical Music (based in Miami, Florida). The Dean Guitars facility in Plant City, Florida was run by Tracy Hoeft and Jon Hill, and new guitars were distributed to markets in the U.S., Japan, Korea, and Europe. In 1995, Armadillo Enterprises or Clearwater, FL bought Dean from Tropical Music. In 2000, Zelinsky came back to work for Dean. They currently produce several lines of guitars overseas and they also have a high-end custom shop that builds several original models. Most acoustic models are produced overseas (with the exception of a few custom shop models). Dean did produce a few acoustics in the early 1990s, but the bulk of acoustic guitars were first introduced in 1998. For more information, contact Dean directly or visit their website.
In 1986, Dean closed the USA Shop, leaving all construction to be completed overseas. The U.S. market had shifted towards the then-popular bolt neck super-strat design, and Zelinsky's personal taste leaned in the opposite direction. Zelinsky sold Dean Guitars in 1990 to Oscar Medros, founder and owner of Tropical Music (based in Miami, Florida). The Dean Guitars facility in Plant City, Florida was run by Tracy Hoeft and Jon Hill, and new guitars were distributed to markets in the U.S., Japan, Korea, and Europe. In 1995, Armadillo Enterprises or Clearwater, FL bought Dean from Tropical Music. In 2000, Zelinsky came back to work for Dean. They currently produce several lines of guitars overseas and they also have a high-end custom shop that builds several original models. Most acoustic models are produced overseas (with the exception of a few custom shop models). Dean did produce a few acoustics in the early 1990s, but the bulk of acoustic guitars were first introduced in 1998. For more information, contact Dean directly or visit their website.
Instruments currently produced in Tampa, FL, Korea, Japan, and China. Distributed by Armadillo Enterprises of Tampa, FL. Previously produced in Evanston, IL 1977-1986, and in Plant City, FL 1990-94, and Clearwater, FL 1995-2005. Instruments have been produced in Tampa, FL since 2005 and overseas since 1985.
DEAN Acoustic Guitars Models
DEAN Performer DSE (Model DGA-PDSE)
- similar to the Performer E, except features a solid spruce top, solid rosewood sides, rosewood back, abalone binding, 14/24-fret extended fingerboard with block inlays, Dean "Wing" design rosette, three-per-side Grover tuners, g...
DEAN RESONATOR CE (MODEL DGA-RCE/RCE NM)
- single rounded Dean cutaway body, metal resonator plate, multi-ply body binding, mahogany back/sides, biscuit bridge, chrome hardware, three-per-side tuning machines, chrome lipstick pickup, volume/tone controls, available in Black Satin...
DEAN SWEETWOOD JCR (MODEL SWJCR)
- jumbo style, solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back/sides, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with inlays, tortoise binding, herringbone rosette, three-per-side tuners, available in Satin Natural finish, mfg. 2003-04.
DEAN TRADITION D24
- dreadnought style body, solid Englemann spruce top, quilted rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, 14/20 rosewood fingerboard with abalone tree-of-life inlay, three-per-side gold Grover tuners, multi-ply binding, abalone soundhole inlay,...
DEAN CSCR Cutaway
- similar to the CSR, except has a single cutaway, electronics, and a pickup, mfg. 2004-present.
DEAN AXS PERFORMER (AX PE)
- single cutaway body, select spruce top, mahogany body, round soundhole with abalone rosette, single-ply body binding, set mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, black headstock overlay, three-per-side chrome...
DEAN EQA BASS (MODEL EQAB)
- single cutaway quilted ash body, multi-ply black binding, round soundhole with custom rosette, maple neck, 16/21-fret rosewood fingerboard with MOP dot inlays, quilted ash headstock overlay, two-per-side chrome tuners, triangular rosewood...
DEAN EXOTICA ANDES (MODEL EANDES)
- similar to the Exotica FM except features East Andes rosewood top/back/sides, available in Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 2001-present.
DEAN Frana R
- similar to Frana TR, except has solid spruce top, available in Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 2001-02.
DEAN Performer Left-Handed (Model PELH)
- similar to the Performer E except in left-handed configuration, available in Classic Black finish, mfg. 1998-present.
DEAN RESONATOR GCE (MODEL DGA-RGCE)
- single rounded Dean cutaway body, metal resonator plate, multi-ply body binding, mahogany back/sides, biscuit bridge, gold hardware, three-per-side tuning machines, humbucker pickup, volume/tone controls, available in Black Satin finish,...
DEAN TRADITION DAYTONA (MODEL DAYTONA)
- dreadnought style, solid spruce top, mahogany sides/back/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, chrome hardware, Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 2003-present.
DEAN CSCM
- classical design, single cutaway, solid cedar top, mahogany back/sides, rosewood fingerboard, slotted style headstock, Mosaic rosette, pickup, electronics, Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 2004-present.
DEAN AXS SPALT (AX SPALT)
- single cutaway body, select spruce top, mahogany body, round soundhole with no rosette, single-ply body binding, set mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, rosewood headstock overlay, three-per-side chrome t...
DEAN PQ (PERFORMER PLUS) BASS
- jumbo style, single rounded cutaway body, quilted maple top, round soundhole, multi-ply body binding, mahogany back/sides, 22-fret fingerboard with white dot inlay, triangular Dean rosewood bridge, two-per-side Grover tuners, chrome hardw...
DEAN EXOTICA BB (MODEL EBB)
- similar to Exotica FM, except has solid spruce top, bubinga back and sides, available in Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 1999-2007.
DEAN Performer QSE
- similar to Performer DSE, except has chrome hardware, quilt maple back and sides, dot position markers, available in Gloss Natural or Gloss Amber finish, mfg. 1998-2003.
DEAN RESONATOR CHROME G/S (MODEL RESC)
- chrome steel resonator body, mahogany neck, 15/19 rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, three-per-side chrome tuners, biscuit bridge, mfg. 2001-present.
DEAN Tradition Daytona Electric
- similar to the Tradition Daytona except has a piezo pickup and electronics, mfg. 2003-2010.
DEAN CSCML Left-Handed
- similar to the CSCM except is in left-handed configuration, mfg. 2004-2010.
DEAN DAVE MUSTAINE "MAKO" (MODEL MAKO)
- single sharp cutaway folk-style body, solid maple top (Classic Black finish) or flame maple top (Trans. Black finish), mahogany back and sides, Mako-inspired four slot soundhole, multi-ply body binding, set mahogany neck, 14/21-fret ebony...
DEAN PQ (Performer Plus) 5 Bass
- similar to the Performer Plus bass except in five-string configuration, mfg. 1998-2004.
DEAN EXOTICA BUBINGA (MODEL EBUBINGA)
- single cutaway Exotica-style body, bubinga top, back, and sides, round soundhole with woodcut rosette, celluloid binding, set mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, matching headstock, three-per-side chrome tuners...
DEAN PERFORMER FLAME MAPLE (PEFM)
- single smooth cutaway folk-style body, flame maple top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with abalone rosette, multi-ply celluloid binding, set mahogany neck, 14/21-fret rosewood fingerboard with split pearl block inlays, flame ma...
DEAN Resonator Chrome Engraved
- similar to the Resonator Chrome except features an engraved chrome body, mfg. 2001-04.
DEAN TRADITION EXOTIC (MODEL DGA-TE)
- dreadnought style, solid Sitka spruce top, round soundhole, body binding, bird's-eye maple, European MAPA (disc.), Lacewood, Maple Burl, Quilted Ash (2006-2010), or Zebra (2006-2010) back/sides, 14/20-fret fingerboard with white dot inlay...
DEAN PCPK ESPAÑA PACK
- classical guitar pack with a guitar that features a solid cedar top, rosewood back and sides, rosewood fingerboard and pro grade classical tuners, includes a foot stool and pitch pipe, current mfg.
DEAN Dave Mustaine "Mako Glory" (Model MAKOGLORY)
- similar to the Dave Mustaine "Mako", except has sharktooth/dot fingerboard inlays and a USA flag-inspired finish, mfg. 2012-present.
DEAN EXOTICA RADIANT BASS
- single rounded cutaway, Sitka spruce top, flame maple top, mahogany neck, 15/22 fret rosewood fingerboard with radiant sun inlays, two-per-side chrome Grover tuners, Shadow pickups, multi-ply binding, abalone soundhole inlay, available in...
DEAN EXOTICA COCOBOLO (MODEL ECOCO)
- single cutaway Exotica-style body, cocobolo top, back, and sides, round soundhole with woodcut rosette, celluloid binding, set mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, matching headstock, three-per-side chrome tuner...
DEAN PERFORMER FLORENTINE QUILT (PEFQA)
- single sharp cutaway folk-style quilt ash body, multi-ply top binding, round soundhole with a large ring of abalone pearl rosette, 14/21-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, quilt ash matching finish headstock overlay, t...
DEAN HEIRLOOM RESONATOR (MODEL RESHB/RESHC)
- brass or copper body, two f-holes, single cone resonator, mahogany neck, 19-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, black headstock, three-per-side tuners, Dean logo embossed into bridge cover, mfg. summer 2004-present.
DEAN Tradition Exotic Cutaway Electric (Model TEC)
- similar to the Tradition Exotica except has a single cutaway, (quilted ash is not available, but all other exotic woods are), and Dean electronics, available in Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 2006-2010.
DEAN EVOCOUSTIC
- EVO-shaped acoustic body, spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, offset oval soundhole with rosette, bound top, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, three-per-side tuners, triangle shaped bridge, Piezo pickup and three-band EQ, chr...
DEAN MAMBA BASS (MODEL MAMB)
- single rounded cutaway body, solid spruce top, maple back and sides, multi-ply black binding, round soundhole, maple neck, 16/21-fret maple fingerboard with thumbnail inlays and a black snake inlay that extends the length of the fingerboa...
DEAN EXOTICA CSW SCOTT WEILAND (MODEL ECSW SW)
- single cutaway Exotica-style body, solid Sitka spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides, round soundhole with abalone rosette, abalone body binding, set mahogany neck, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with split pearl block inlays,...
DEAN PERFORMER FLORENTINE SPALT MAPLE (PEFSM)
- single sharp cutaway folk-style spalt maple body, multi-ply top binding, round soundhole with a small ring of abalone pearl rosette, 14/21-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with custom inlays, spalt maple matching finish headstock overlay,...
DEAN TRADITION FLORENTINE (MODEL T77FQM)
- single cutaway dreadnought-style quilt maple body, multi-ply binding, round soundhole with abalone pearl rosette, 14/21-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl diamond inlays, quilt maple headstock overlay, three-per-side gold tuners,...
DEAN EXHIBITION THIN BODY (MODEL EX)
- single sharp cutaway folk-style body, mahogany top, back, and sides, round soundhole with decorative rosette, single-ply body binding, set mahogany neck, 14/21-fret ebony fingerboard with pearly diamond inlays, matching finish headstock o...
DEAN PERFORMER BASS CE (MODEL DGA-PBCE)
- jumbo style, single rounded cutaway body, spruce top, round soundhole, multi-ply body binding, mahogany back/sides, 20-fret fingerboard with white dot inlay, triangular Dean rosewood bridge, two-per-side Grover tuners, chrome hardware, pi...
DEAN EXOTICA DAO (MODEL DAO)
- similar to Exotica FM, except has dao top/back/sides, available in Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 2001-07.
DEAN PERFORMER SE (MODEL DGA-PSE)
- similar to the Performer E, except features a solid spruce top, abalone binding, extended fingerboard, three-per-side Grover tuners, Shadow five-band EQ, available in Classic Black or Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 1998-2002.
DEAN TRADITION NOIR
- similar to the Tradition One, except has no fingerboard inlay, select spruce top, and available in Powder Black finish, mfg. 2003-04.
DEAN Exhibition Thin Body Flame Maple (Model EXFM)
- similar to the Exhibition Thin Body, except has a flame maple body, available in Faded Denim or Trans. Red finish, mfg. 2012-present.
DEAN Performer Bass CE Fretless
- similar to the Performer Bass CE except in Fretless configuration, mfg. 2002-07.
DEAN EXOTICA FREEDOM (MODEL EFMSL)
- similar to Exotica FM, except has custom Statue of Liberty inlay on fingerboard, available in Trans. Black finish, mfg. 2003-04.
DEAN Performer SE-7 7-String
- similar to Performer SE, except in a seven-string configuration, available in Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 1998-2002.
DEAN TRADITION ONE (MODEL DGA-T1)
- dreadnought style, select spruce top, round soundhole, body binding, mahogany back/sides, 14/20-fret fingerboard with white dot inlay, triangular Dean rosewood bridge, three-per-side die-cast tuners, available in Gloss Natural finish, mfg...
DEAN Exhibition Thin Body Quilt Ash (Model EXQA)
- similar to the Exhibition Thin Body, except has a quilt ash body, available in Gloss Natural or Tiger Eye finish, mfg. 2012-present.