ML Help!

Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 95

Hi All,
Just been to get a set of strings from local shop and spotted an ML in there, nearly fell in love on the spot... Is older style by the look of it, jack socket on side on one of the "legs" (not sure if right term!) toggle switch near volume, black floyd rose, neck thru, awesome action, coil tapped EMG's (don't look active but not had back off) in a brown burst. wasn't thinking straight so didn't get a pic but from a quick google it looks a bit like this

Wanted to check whether it was genuine and whether the asking price is fair really! asking £275 without a case (using toolbar converter about $400??)
Help much appreciated

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:37 pm

That thar be a 90's Tropical-era ML! It might be a baby model, I'm not too sure cos I'm hungover as hell and my perception isn't what it should be. Either way, I'd say £275 is a fair enough price, but if I were you I'd ask how low the seller is willing to go.

The great thing about Deans if you're buying second-hand (and the terrible thing about them if you're in the selling position) is that their value falls through the floor as soon as you walk out the store with one. Have a go and see what the best is they'll do, you could get away with a darn good bargain!

Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 95

Are the Babys much smaller then? it didn't feel smaller, at least not to me. have a VX which seems huge but this just felt right size. am thinking I should have just got it but would have had so much grief from the wife!

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 1:01 pm

If it's a Baby, you should know it - they're substantially smaller than your regular ML. I think the one you have pictured is a full-sized Tropical ML, though, it's actually paining me that I can't tell, but there'll be somebody else who'll chip in. Smile

At the end of the day though, if you like it and think it's a good guitar then it shouldn't matter what it is! Mr. Green

Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 95

very true! although part of it is justifying it to the wife Embarassed

She's of the opinion that 4 guitars is too many so don't need another one! doesn't work the same for her and shoes and handbags for some reason though! aparently they're cheaper so dont count Rolling Eyes

Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 613 Location: Yorkshire, England

chuffed-addick wrote:

Are the Babys much smaller then? it didn't feel smaller, at least not to me. have a VX which seems huge but this just felt right size. am thinking I should have just got it but would have had so much grief from the wife!

The babys are noticably smaller, you would have been able to tell the difference. Also if it's not a bolt on and has emgs and a floyd then I would say £275 is a reasonable price. I'm trying to think of any models that might fit your description, the only recent ML I know of with an inside of leg jack input is the ATF3000 series. Maybe some of the other guys on here who are more familiar with the tropical era stuff can help?

Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Posts: 347 Location: South-West Ohio

if it is neck thru, then it is a tropical era dean. they were well made guitars that had horrible electronics and sometimes bad hardware - which is sounds like somebody else already discovered and hd taken care of the electronics part on the one you found.

The bodies ARE slightly smaller and more pointed than a standard ML - I'd say they are 80% size of a regular ML. I've had several of these through the years. I think 3 total - a brazilla burst flamed top, a red quilt top, and a teal-pool water colored falmed top. On two [red adn teal] I had to replace the floyds because they wouldnt stay in tune. The brazilla burst held tune just fine. Wood and workmanship on all was fantastic, and being neck thru was a plus.

Electronics have alredy been changed on the one you found, so I'd check the tuners and bridge, give the bar workout ans see if it holds tune.

Otherwise, if you're in the US I've got a regular ML for sale in the trade area of the forum, with floyd and upgraded pickups.

Hope that helps.

Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 95

Thanks guys! is my 40th this year so may have a bit of negotiation with the wife over it... might go back tomorrow and see how she plays, then try and get him down or see about trading something in to put towards it.

Chances are it'll be a no go cause of funds but will keep posted!
If anyone wants one can be go between though! lol

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14458

Is it an arch/carve top, like the one in the ad?
USA manufactured or Korea?
Someone else should chime in on it, but past posts mentioned some ghost builder that did the US production for them in the early 90's.

Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 95

asked shop for a pic! not arch top.
Matching headstock too

Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 4248 Location: Derry, N Ireland

Its not a baby anyway, and its definitely a tropical. Looks awesome man, and if it comes with that Hardcase, you cant go wrong for the money, I would be offering in and around £220 with the hope of meeting at £250 for it Razz

Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 95

bazzabalboa wrote:

Its not a baby anyway, and its definitely a tropical. Looks awesome man, and if it comes with that Hardcase, you cant go wrong for the money, I would be offering in and around £220 with the hope of meeting at £250 for it Razz

Pretty sure the case is just one that was knocking about, still tropical hey... will see what the opinion is at home then maybe go try it out

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:24 pm

The neckthru looks cool on the TBZ finish. The skinny horn is not bad looking either

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 2:51 am

Tropical Era for sure..................that ad you posted is for USA Deans made in California (Chandler).

Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Posts: 5598 Location: phoenix az.

my7 tropical was smaller than a real ml but was thicker to.

Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 121 Location: Maryland

That thing looks f-cking badass dude!

Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 95

Actually went back and played it today... Plays nice, action is really low setup is good and divebomb on the trem it kept in tune.

Is loaded with active EMG's that have been setup with coil tap too but cause of the battery in small cavity has been setup with tone nearest pickups then 2 volumes.
Still undecided about it as didn't have that "gotta have it" factor when playing it but then again I do like it and would prob grow on me!