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 DEAN |
| YEAR-BY-YEAR MODEL DATING IDENTIFICATION |
| Author/researcher Michael Wright briefly discussed Dean guitar history in his book, Guitar Stories, Volume One (Vintage Guitar Books, 1995). In the course of the Dean chapter, Wright provided some key developments in the company's history that help date the various series offered. 1976-1978: Zelinsky opens his first factory in Evanston, Illinois; Introduction of the ML, V, and Z models. 1979-1980: Introduction of the Cadillac and E'Lite models; the company moves to a larger factory in Chicago. 1982: The downsized-body Baby models are presented. This series began production with the large V-shaped peghead, but shortly after switched to the small fork style peghead that is the most commonly found (the large V-shaped peghead was offered optionally). The Baby configuration has an unbound fingerboard and dot inlays, while the Baby Deluxe has a bound fingerboard and block inlays. 1983-1984: Bolt-neck Bel Aire superstrat models. 1985: The Japanese-built Hollywood models were introduced. 1985-1987: Korean bolt-neck Signature superstrat models. 1987-1990: More Korean bolt-neck designs arrive: the Eighty-Eight (perhaps a year early?), Jammer, and Playmate models. 1990: Zelinsky sells Dean Guitar Company to Tropical Music. 1991: The six-screw bolt-neck superstrat 90E, 91E, and 92E are introduced. 1993-1994: The U.S.-built Reissue Series of the classic 1977 designs are briefly built in Northern California. 1994: American Custom ML, US Cadillac, and SL models first built in Cleveland, Ohio. 1995: New Dean facilities opened in Plant City, Florida. American Custom instruments are completely built in the U.S., while the U.S. Series instruments feature Dean USA necks, Korean bodies, and assembly in the U.S. The D Series is produced in Korea. 1997: U.S.-built guitars are offered in the Coupe, Deluxe, LTD, and Korina Series; similar-styled imported Dean models fall under the various American Spirit series. 1998: The American Spirit terminology is disc., but the models retain their respective tiered pricing and quality levels. U.S.-built guitars fall under the USA Custom Shop: Coupe and LTD Series are still maintained; Flame, Ultima, and U.S. Phantom Series are added; and the Deluxe (basically an Original Floyd Rose tremolo option) is disc. European Custom and European Premium Series are added; the European Custom Series takes over korina (V and Z) models from the U.S. Korina models (a U.S. korina model would now be a USA Custom Shop model). Even more important, Dean acoustic guitars, acoustic/electric guitars, and even resonator models are introduced. 1999:The ML Platinum guitar is introduced. Some of the Edge basses are produced in Europe. The new Playmate series was introduced around this time. 2000:The Dean Tonic series debuts. Two new bass series emerged the Rhapsody and the Razor, and a new Jeff Berlin Signature Bass is available. 2002:Dean celebrated their 25th Anniversary and celebrated with only one new electric model, the Stylist Phantom, and other models received new features. Several new models were released in the acoustic lineup. 2003:The Custom Series added the Custom 450 and the Custom Zone. The ML Series welcomed a reissue of the 1979, with the ML79 . This model is also available in a lefty. A new Sarasota guitar is revealed. New models were also added to the Edge Bass series. The new Dean "Rack" program was offered for dealers using provocative marketing; anyone who has visited the Dean booth at NAMM will know what I'm talking about. Hardtail bridges are introduced. 2004: In fall 2004, Dean announced Dimebag Darrel was to become a endorser. He was fatally shot on stage on December 8, 2004. Dean also signed Michael Schenker of the Scorpions to an endorsement deal. 2005: Dean went ahead with the Dimebag Darrel guitars at the request of his family and the new line of Dimebag guitars was released at the Winter NAMM show 2005. Michael Schenker models also debuted. Dean also expanded its U.S. Custom Shop catalog with several other models. 2006: Dean continued it U.S. Custom Shop model expansion with several other new models and limited editions. |