ML 79 vs. Dean From Hell

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 9:26 pm

Hey guys, sorry to ask a versus question, but I need opinions from any owners. How does each one compare in playability, quality, and feel, in your opinions. I could get either one, but Im not sure. Any help appreciated!

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 10:00 pm

I wanted the cfh bad for a while but I prefer the ml79. The v neck on the cfh wasn't enough to pry me away from the lighter, more manageable ml79. The cfh just felt a bit big and unwieldily.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

I'd take a 79ML over a DFH any day of the week. The DFH was my first Dean when they first came out. I didn't have any troubles with it structurally as others seemed to have had with the body wood being poorly glued and finished but I did have electronics issues. The bridge pickup, (L500LX) came microphonic. I called them and Dean customer service shipped me a new Dimebucker out the next day to replace the L500XL so it wasn't a big deal. Playability wasn't bad, but I just didn't fall in love with it. I've had 7 total 79 ML and Vs and gigged them all heavily. They are, IMHO superior guitars and they cost less. For the price savings you can upgrade the pickups to whatever you like and the bridge to a Tone Pros and then have the frets dressed by a local tech in your area and have a much nicer guitar overall... Just my .02.

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 10:12 pm

lordkronos187 wrote:

I wanted the cfh bad for a while but I prefer the ml79. The v neck on the cfh wasn't enough to pry me away from the lighter, more manageable ml79. The cfh just felt a bit big and unwieldily.

So the cfh is heavy youre sayin? Thats not that big of a deal for me. How do they compare in sound? I legitly cant decide, because im usually not too attracted to artist signatures, but its the Dean From Hell for christs sake!

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 10:19 pm

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

I'd take a 79ML over a DFH any day of the week. The DFH was my first Dean when they first came out. I didn't have any troubles with it structurally as others seemed to have had with the body wood being poorly glued and finished but I did have electronics issues. The bridge pickup, (L500LX) came microphonic. I called them and Dean customer service shipped me a new Dimebucker out the next day to replace the L500XL so it wasn't a big deal. Playability wasn't bad, but I just didn't fall in love with it. I've had 7 total 79 ML and Vs and gigged them all heavily. They are, IMHO superior guitars and they cost less. For the price savings you can upgrade the pickups to whatever you like and the bridge to a Tone Pros and then have the frets dressed by a local tech in your area and have a much nicer guitar overall... Just my .02.

Thanks a lot Lanning! I think the quality is probably most important. The ml 79 im lookin at has an OFR on it too.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

DrShredder97 wrote:

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

I'd take a 79ML over a DFH any day of the week. The DFH was my first Dean when they first came out. I didn't have any troubles with it structurally as others seemed to have had with the body wood being poorly glued and finished but I did have electronics issues. The bridge pickup, (L500LX) came microphonic. I called them and Dean customer service shipped me a new Dimebucker out the next day to replace the L500XL so it wasn't a big deal. Playability wasn't bad, but I just didn't fall in love with it. I've had 7 total 79 ML and Vs and gigged them all heavily. They are, IMHO superior guitars and they cost less. For the price savings you can upgrade the pickups to whatever you like and the bridge to a Tone Pros and then have the frets dressed by a local tech in your area and have a much nicer guitar overall... Just my .02.

Thanks a lot Lanning! I think the quality is probably most important. The ml 79 im lookin at has an OFR on it too.

I don't think overall quality lacks in the CFH, but for what you pay for you get more bang for the buck on the 79, especially when you upgrade it. I think the CFH looks cool and is a fun guitar to own. I just didn't bond with mine. It didn't feel right in my hands.

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 1:20 am

DrShredder97 wrote:

lordkronos187 wrote:

I wanted the cfh bad for a while but I prefer the ml79. The v neck on the cfh wasn't enough to pry me away from the lighter, more manageable ml79. The cfh just felt a bit big and unwieldily.

So the cfh is heavy youre sayin? Thats not that big of a deal for me. How do they compare in sound? I legitly cant decide, because im usually not too attracted to artist signatures, but its the Dean From Hell for christs sake!

its not too heavy per se. i have a dime washburn blackjack thats heavier than either one and im good with it. but the cfh just seemed....."big" im not a real big guy so maybe thats a factor. i cant be sure.

as far as sound, i really felt they were about the same. *shrug*

Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 547 Location: Chicago, IL

DrShredder97 wrote:

The ml 79 im lookin at has an OFR on it too.

The ML 79's normally come with an LFR as opposed to the OFR. If the one you're looking at is used then I won't surprised if it was upgraded to an OFR.

Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 4250 Location: Derry, N Ireland

jdwon1172 wrote:

DrShredder97 wrote:

The ml 79 im lookin at has an OFR on it too.

The ML 79's normally come with an LFR as opposed to the OFR. If the one you're looking at is used then I won't surprised if it was upgraded to an OFR.

There were a run with OFR's IIRC.

I would go for the 79, and upgrade it as Lanning has suggested. I can personally say, if you can track down an ATF3000, go for one of them. I have one and its the best Dean i have ever played or owned (4).

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 11:06 pm

bazzabalboa wrote:

jdwon1172 wrote:

DrShredder97 wrote:

The ml 79 im lookin at has an OFR on it too.

The ML 79's normally come with an LFR as opposed to the OFR. If the one you're looking at is used then I won't surprised if it was upgraded to an OFR.

There were a run with OFR's IIRC.

I would go for the 79, and upgrade it as Lanning has suggested. I can personally say, if you can track down an ATF3000, go for one of them. I have one and its the best Dean i have ever played or owned (4).

Ive been looking at one too. I could get one of those too. Its just that the abalone binding is kind of a turn-off for me. But is it so nice that it is worth it? Haha now its back between an ATF and a 79 again.

Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 4250 Location: Derry, N Ireland

I understand that alot of people aren't a fan of abalone binding as when it is used on a guitar, it generally overkill. The ATF300's in all honestly use it subtly and it looks classy.

http://www.deanguitars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82502&highlight=ngd

Theres mines there. This guitar also has some of the most kick ass pickups in it, just great quality for a great price if you ask me.

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 11:15 pm

bazzabalboa wrote:

I understand that alot of people aren't a fan of abalone binding as when it is used on a guitar, it generally overkill. The ATF300's in all honestly use it subtly and it looks classy.

http://www.deanguitars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82502&highlight=ngd

Theres mines there. This guitar also has some of the most kick ass pickups in it, just great quality for a great price if you ask me.

Alright, thats great. And also, its harder to come by an ATF than a 79. I mean, there's always gonna be a 79 for sale.

Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 4250 Location: Derry, N Ireland

DrShredder97 wrote:

bazzabalboa wrote:

I understand that alot of people aren't a fan of abalone binding as when it is used on a guitar, it generally overkill. The ATF300's in all honestly use it subtly and it looks classy.

http://www.deanguitars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82502&highlight=ngd

Theres mines there. This guitar also has some of the most kick ass pickups in it, just great quality for a great price if you ask me.

Alright, thats great. And also, its harder to come by an ATF than a 79. I mean, there's always gonna be a 79 for sale.

The ATF's are now out of production ya see, I actually got mines in a clearance sale. The 79's are great aswell, I played a 79ML and as Lanning said, you cant go far wrong, especially for the price. What i would say with the 79 is that it will probably be cheaper, which may leave some money for tasteful modifications.

If you are in to your metal, I would get a 79 and a pair of Bare Knuckle Warpigs, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY5gaijvonE&feature=relmfu

Although YouTube quality video's are nothing to go by, the formula of a big Mahogany guitar, rosewood board and some of them pups sounds like tonal heaven to me Cool

You wont go wrong with either a Korean ATF or a Korean 79. The CFH's are cool, but chinese made. And most people here will agree that 9 times out of 10, Korean made is better quality than Chinese made.

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 11:34 pm

bazzabalboa wrote:

DrShredder97 wrote:

bazzabalboa wrote:

I understand that alot of people aren't a fan of abalone binding as when it is used on a guitar, it generally overkill. The ATF300's in all honestly use it subtly and it looks classy.

http://www.deanguitars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82502&highlight=ngd

Theres mines there. This guitar also has some of the most kick ass pickups in it, just great quality for a great price if you ask me.

Alright, thats great. And also, its harder to come by an ATF than a 79. I mean, there's always gonna be a 79 for sale.

The ATF's are now out of production ya see, I actually got mines in a clearance sale. The 79's are great aswell, I played a 79ML and as Lanning said, you cant go far wrong, especially for the price. What i would say with the 79 is that it will probably be cheaper, which may leave some money for tasteful modifications.

If you are in to your metal, I would get a 79 and a pair of Bare Knuckle Warpigs, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY5gaijvonE&feature=relmfu

Although YouTube quality video's are nothing to go by, the formula of a big Mahogany guitar, rosewood board and some of them pups sounds like tonal heaven to me Cool

You wont go wrong with either a Korean ATF or a Korean 79. The CFH's are cool, but chinese made. And most people here will agree that 9 times out of 10, Korean made is better quality than Chinese made.

Im looking at one of each that are both the same price. I do mostly play metal, but i play other things too. What do you say since theres an ATF for the same price?

Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 4250 Location: Derry, N Ireland

DrShredder97 wrote:

bazzabalboa wrote:

DrShredder97 wrote:

bazzabalboa wrote:

I understand that alot of people aren't a fan of abalone binding as when it is used on a guitar, it generally overkill. The ATF300's in all honestly use it subtly and it looks classy.

http://www.deanguitars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82502&highlight=ngd

Theres mines there. This guitar also has some of the most kick ass pickups in it, just great quality for a great price if you ask me.

Alright, thats great. And also, its harder to come by an ATF than a 79. I mean, there's always gonna be a 79 for sale.

The ATF's are now out of production ya see, I actually got mines in a clearance sale. The 79's are great aswell, I played a 79ML and as Lanning said, you cant go far wrong, especially for the price. What i would say with the 79 is that it will probably be cheaper, which may leave some money for tasteful modifications.

If you are in to your metal, I would get a 79 and a pair of Bare Knuckle Warpigs, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY5gaijvonE&feature=relmfu

Although YouTube quality video's are nothing to go by, the formula of a big Mahogany guitar, rosewood board and some of them pups sounds like tonal heaven to me Cool

You wont go wrong with either a Korean ATF or a Korean 79. The CFH's are cool, but chinese made. And most people here will agree that 9 times out of 10, Korean made is better quality than Chinese made.

Im looking at one of each that are both the same price. I do mostly play metal, but i play other things too. What do you say since theres an ATF for the same price?

I would say an ATF, because i rate my own so highly. I have owned alot of top end Dean imports, and it is the best. I have owned a Razorback V, Atf3000, Deceiver FM and a Dean Hardtail (my girfriends guitar, the next best).

You are getting USA pickups which are very versitile and great for chug or clean!! And a REAL maple top. Not a photo veneer that is on the 79's.

The choice is yours bro, if you are going to order either online, i would suggest you phone up the dealer and tell them to send exact photo's of the guitar you would be purchasing. And ask them to check for any fret buzz, or anything like that. Also, both guitars have the same lovely C neck profile, and them necks are great!! Cool

Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Posts: 5601 Location: phoenix az.

DrShredder97 wrote:

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

I'd take a 79ML over a DFH any day of the week. The DFH was my first Dean when they first came out. I didn't have any troubles with it structurally as others seemed to have had with the body wood being poorly glued and finished but I did have electronics issues. The bridge pickup, (L500LX) came microphonic. I called them and Dean customer service shipped me a new Dimebucker out the next day to replace the L500XL so it wasn't a big deal. Playability wasn't bad, but I just didn't fall in love with it. I've had 7 total 79 ML and Vs and gigged them all heavily. They are, IMHO superior guitars and they cost less. For the price savings you can upgrade the pickups to whatever you like and the bridge to a Tone Pros and then have the frets dressed by a local tech in your area and have a much nicer guitar overall... Just my .02.

Thanks a lot Lanning! I think the quality is probably most important. The ml 79 im lookin at has an OFR on it too.

I disagree completely ive owned a few 79 series and the cfh i had was way better quality.its much closer to a usa.in fact probably as close to a usa as ur gonna get being an import plus it has a v neck that's wider feeling than the 79 series and the frets were much better on mine than any 79 series ive had.if it wasn't for all the dime comments id probably still be playing it live.all around a much more solid guitar with better pickups.I got mine had the frets dressed at guitar electronics and compared mine to the usa cfh they had and they were almost identical playing wise.in fact the only difference i saw on the usa was better quality wood on the fretboard(nicer looking)real floyd and usa had a slightly smaller headstock.but playability were the same.the newer 79s ive played are better than they used to be ive ran across some real crappers with major fret issues and fretboards that were far from even.the cfh i had was near perfect and played amazing after the fret dress.thats my 2 cents having owned both.I miss my cfh the 79s ive owned not so much.