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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | I had some time to kill while I was in mid-town Manhattan, and walked on into Manny's music, where I bought my first decent guitar, many many years ago. They had quite a few O's hanging on the walls. I tried all the US made models. Loved the Custom Legend LX, looks and sound. I tried the new Al Demeola model, sounded dull after the LX. The LX 12 string was a real winner, beautiful sound and action. I'd prefer it over the ML Adamas 12 string. The salesman was not pushing me to any brand, but I told him my bias for O's. I got to try a few Dean Acoustic Exotica, Korean made, with electronics. Was very impressed with the sound and appearance. Kinda like a Tak, but half the price. Anybody ever try them?
Tommy |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 417
Location: Cicero, NY | I have tried a couple of Dean's and, to be honest, I was probably a little less impressed than that. I did talk them up to a friend who is just beginning the foray into guitar playing/ownership as a nice, inexpensive, ok sounding guitar but I would put them a solid notch or two under the Tak's, which I do appreciate.
Probably just personal preference or maybe you got your hands on a really good one (it's not like that never happens). Hey, even a blind dog finds a nut (or something like that...). ;) |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | My son bought a Dean electric, lower end, and the damn thing fell apart in a few months. The area where the strings are attached, behind the access place, disintegrated. Particle board construction. They did replace the guitar but it won't stay in tune to save your soul. Kind of left a bad taste in my mouth for Dean. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | All the ones I've ever picked up seemed to possess a lot of superficial "flash" but no substance. Nice "eye-candy" for the bims in their print-ad to hold/straddle, but not a very substantial guitar. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I've been pretty happy with the Dean Key Largo Performer I bought for my wife. Fit & finish good for a Korean made, stays in tune fine, nice crisp tone, though not real strong on the bottom end acoustically. Probably due to the parlor-sized body.
However, it does have Fishman electronics and sounds great plugged in. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | i just refurbed a cheapo dean bass for my nephew. I keep praying the neck will straighten out with string tension.
I will probably have to get him something else
it is a real POS |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Cliff said
"All the ones I've ever picked up seemed to possess a lot of superficial "flash" but no substance."
And he's right again - played one last week with a whole tree-of-life inlay thing from frets 1 to 19 (or thereabouts). To call it a POS would be an insult to the neighbour's dog. You could see big splinters falling off the bracing and the sound was thinner than kate moss. The first one I ever played.... (you can finish the sentence for me) |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Man, guess I dodged a bullet on mine, then. Must have got the one that snuck out of the factory before they noticed there was anything wrong with it. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| I think it's like a lot of Asian made stuff - if they put their own name on it they take great care, but if you are having them badged you really need to put your own qualty control people in.
Dean used to have a good name. I haven't played any of the recent electrics, so I wouldn't know how good or bad they are. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | I'll tell you what. I recently bought a Rogue Herringbone six string from Musicians Friend (as I stated in another posting). It comes with the Fishman 4 Classic pick-up. They have them on clearance right now for 89.99! Sitka Spruce top and Mahogany sides and back, Rosewood fret board and bridge. Both acoustically and plugged in, this cheap little guitar sounds absolutely great! As far as how long it will hold up...time will tell, but for now, I am more than pleased! Plugged in, it has a very crisp, even, and rich tone.
Buy one, you won't be sorry!
Norse(product number 519197)man1 |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | I saw it fro 89.99, can't belive it. How's the action? I guess its Chinese. Does it really play well?
Tommy |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | For the most part the acoustics and acoustic electrics by Dean are decent. Everone i've talked to that's owned one has been pretty happy. Mind you , just like anyone other company they have different Price points. I have a freiend that bought a Tradition model and absolutely Loves it. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Tommy,
I adjusted my neck down a quarter turn. Plays great, action is good to very good. No buzzing up the board. I think if I tried to go any further, I will have buzzing, but it is very playable where it's at.
Really surprising how well they are put together for such a small price. |
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Time at the Music Store
