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.
Zelinsky originally got into the guitar building business to fill a void he felt the larger companies had: a high-quality, set-neck, eye-catching stage guitar. Though new designs continued to be developed, manufacturing of these instruments was shifted more and more to overseas builders. 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 has estimated that between 6,000 and 7,000 (possibly 8,000) guitars were built in the U.S. between 1977 and 1986. It has been estimated by various Dean collectors that the Japanese Dean models were built by the ESP Guitar company in Japan (circa 1986 to 1989). 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. In 2005, Armadillo Enterprises moved to large facilities in Tampa, FL. In summer 2008, Zelinsky resigned from Dean for a second time. They currently produce several lines of guitars overseas and they also have a high-end custom shop that builds several original models. 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, Plant City, FL 1990-94, and Clearwater, FL 1995-2005. Instruments have been produced in Tampa, FL since 2005 and overseas since 1985.

DEAN Electric Guitars Models

DEAN V EXOTIC Image

DEAN V EXOTIC

- single horn cutaway V-shaped spalt maple, mapa burl, or bubinga body, single ply top binding, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with abalone pearl block inlays, bound wing-style headstock with black overlay and abalone pea...

DEAN ML BLACK GOLD (MODEL MLBG) Image

DEAN ML BLACK GOLD (MODEL MLBG)

- ML body style, mahogany body, flame maple top, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl block and 12th fret Black Gold inlays, flamed maple headstock with three-per-side tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, STB, two humbucker pickup...

DEAN Edge Select 6 (Model DGB-ES6) Image

DEAN Edge Select 6 (Model DGB-ES6)

- similar to the Edge Select 4, except features 6-string configuration, 35 in. scale, 3-per-side tuners, available in Flame Amber, Flame Black, Flame Blue, Flame Goldenburst, or Flame Red finish, mfg. 1998 only.

DEAN EDGE EXCEL 4 (MODEL DGB-EE4) Image

DEAN EDGE EXCEL 4 (MODEL DGB-EE4)

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, flame maple top, through-body laminated maple neck, 34 in. scale, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with white block inlay, fixed bridge, small offset V-shaped peghead with screened logo, two-per-side Grove...

DEAN ML EXOTIC Image

DEAN ML EXOTIC

- single horn cutaway V-shaped spalt maple, mapa burl, or bubinga body, single ply top binding, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with abalone pearl block inlays, bound wing-style headstock with black overlay and abalone pea...

DEAN ML KNIGHT (MODEL MLK) Image

DEAN ML KNIGHT (MODEL MLK)

- single horn cutaway V-shaped mahogany body, single ply top binding, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, bound wing-style headstock with black overlay, three-per-side Grover tuners, double locking Floyd...

DEAN Edge Excel 5 (Model DGB-EE5) Image

DEAN Edge Excel 5 (Model DGB-EE5)

- similar to the Edge Excel 4, except features five-string configuration, 35 in. scale, 3/2-per-side tuners, available in Flame Amber, Flame Black, Flame Blue, Flame Goldenburst, or Flame Red finish, mfg. 1998 only.

DEAN Edge Excel 6 (Model DGB-EE6) Image

DEAN Edge Excel 6 (Model DGB-EE6)

- similar to the Edge Excel 4, except features six-string configuration, 35 in. scale, three-per-side tuners, available in Flame Amber, Flame Black, Flame Blue, Flame Goldenburst, or Flame Red finish, mfg. 1998 only.

DEAN ML WARBIRD Image

DEAN ML WARBIRD

- ML-style mahogany body, set mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlays, matching finish V-shaped headstock, three-per-side tuners, Floyd Rose tremolo bridge with locking nut, two covered humbucker pickups, t...

DEAN ML XP (MODEL MLXP) Image

DEAN ML XP (MODEL MLXP)

- ML-style paulownia body, maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, V-shaped Dean matching finish headstock, three-per-side tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, V-shaped metal tailpiece, two exposed humbucker pickups, three knobs,...

DEAN EDGE IMPROV 4 (MODEL DGB-EI4) Image

DEAN EDGE IMPROV 4 (MODEL DGB-EI4)

- offset double cutaway alder body, flame maple top, through-body laminated maple neck, 34 in. scale, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with white block inlay, fixed bridge, small offset V- shaped peghead with screened logo, two-per-side Sc...

DEAN Edge Improv 5 (Model DGB-EI5) Image

DEAN Edge Improv 5 (Model DGB-EI5)

- similar to the Edge Improv 4, except features five-string configuration, 35 in. scale, 3/2-per-side tuners, available in Flame Amber, Flame Black, Flame Blue, Flame Goldenburst, or Flame Red finish, mfg. 1998-2002.

DEAN EDGE Q4 Image

DEAN EDGE Q4

- similar to the Edge 4 Series basses, except have a quilted maple top (hence the Q prefix), lighter basswood body, and a smoother neck, available in Trans. Amberburst, Trans. Black, Trans. Blue (disc.), or Trans. Red, mfg. 1999-2010.