What was your first "wings"?

Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 6624 Location: Minnesota

I bought a Dean Dime o Flage from an E Bayer in Canada. It was a package deal. Got the Dime o Flage, and a Rhoads RX10D. Won the auction for $300, but got KILLED on getting it across the border. Some brokerage firm or something.

Anyways, that was my first Dean. Then I got rid of it, and ended up buying a Dean Cadillac Tiger Eye Select from BRG, because Rob's Cadzilla got busted up.

I forget who, but one of the forumites bought my Caddy and gave it to his son. It was a sweet guitar.

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:43 pm

2003-2004 Saggy Crotch Ml79 from rridner. i got a wicked deal and ill never get rid of it. i used to wrestle with the neck but time has taught me i was just inexperienced.

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:45 pm

i had an '81 flame series ML back in 1993. i traded it off a few months later. i got my first vintage Z Standard in 2000 - and, as they say, the rest is history.

Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2974 Location: UK

Mine would be a Cherryburst '79 V. It was an okay guitar but just not for me. It was actually the worst playing of all the Deans I've played and the pickups were horrible. Must have got a dud. It never put me off though and since then I've had a RBV, a white '79 ML and a Deceiver. I'm a Dean guy through and through.

Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2288 Location: Wisconsin

Silver baby ML in 2005. Still have it, all though I have to play it acoustically, some how the jack output got messed up.

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14454

1996 USA Caddy Coupe / blue

In 2002, Our Cousin Jay was a Dean authorized dealer and had the opportunity to sell off several guitars that had been in the Artist Room for a while, so as to make room for the new models and production. On the list was this bad boy, along with a Czech Korina Z and several other really nice guitars at prices quite favorable to the buyers (the Forumites).

I called Jay, we chatted and I pulled the trigger on the Caddy.
He had Zelinskee sign and date the headstock at the First DOA Lovefest in Clearwater, then shipped it to me.

As was typically the case with his signature around that time and beyond, the signature was so illegible that it could've been from Derek Zoolander and no one would've been wiser.

The oddity to that guitar is that it has no serial number. It was never stamped at the end of the fretboard.

Further down the road, I traded it to Faust/Ian for a Czech eVo Premium. I *think* he subsequently transacted upon it and was last known to reside with Jeepster.

It's a gosh-darned fine guitar, too.

Joined: 15 Nov 2012 Posts: 31

2003 USA Spalted Maple Caddy.

Nice guitar but way too top heavy for me. I double on keyboards in a cover band, and every time I would let go of the guitar to play some keys the guitar would take a nosedive. Rolling Eyes

Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 4911 Location: Brooklyn, NY

MLX was my first Dean but my first real Dean was an ML79F from Brave Dave.

Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 1368 Location: Lutz, Fl.

In 1999 Sam Ash had just bought Thoroughbred Music. Back then Elliot owned both Thoroughbred and Dean. So he stocked the store with lots of Dean guitars. Sam Ash wasn't a Dean dealer, and now had all these Dean guitars in the Tampa store. So to move all the old stock they had a buy one/get one deal.

I bought a 1998 Dean ML (later on this board I was told it was a Select ML) and a higher end acoustic. I traded the acoustic for parts, but I still have that ML. Here's a picture of it from where I talked about doing the magnet swap.

So yeah, I've had it for 14 years. And I've had a hardshell case for it for about 11 years. Even back then, the case didn't come cheaply.

Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Posts: 345 Location: South-West Ohio

A korean bolt on black finish ML in around '97. Not sure if it was called an MLC then or not.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:20 am

1983 Dean ML Baby 2 pick-up Blue Burst, I got it for my Birthday in August 1984 I believe it was made in Jan 1983. I still have it. It's just not Blue Burst anymore unfortunately. Great guitar....I'm looking for a 80's era ML Baby Case for it....Brad I remember you had one just never been able to get back to you.

Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 2431 Location: Midwest, Sweden

started out with a Vendetta 2, added on a 79RI ML,
sold'em off and bought a Gibson Laughing

Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 1268 Location: Easton Ma

79' MLF
She was a good looker, wish I still had her

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:40 am

2003 USA Hardtail

Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 666 Location: Dallas,TX.

Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 12282 Location: Twin Cities

This Love Tribute MLF Limited Run

Joined: 15 Sep 2010 Posts: 970 Location: Rock Hill,SC

my first Dean was a Razorback 255 slime.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:33 am

I got an ML XF early last year, then a Razor V Explosion that i sold. Mid-december I got an ML ATF3000 which I love to death.

Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 1581

helltone wrote:

NICE1!!

My First was at PROM & the below 70 IQ type Skank Bled all over me Evil or Very Mad

, Oh did you mean Dean Wings, Not "Red Wings", my bad Embarassed

"RUST FROM HELL" , Amazing NECK , Slimmest and Fastest I own! Twisted Evil

Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 121 Location: Chesterfield, IN

I had an evo dragster about 6 years ago. I had it for a year, ended up trading it in at Guitar Center towards an Ibanez that I hated. I can't do super thin necks and hated the trem. Just bought my Soltero SL back in December and love it.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 10198 Location: New Jersey USA

I wanted a Dean very badly in 1980 to 82. But it wasn't in the cards back then. When Dean went off the radar for a while I forgot about them for a bit. Then got interested in them when they started doing USA pointy guitars again in 2002. It took me a couple of years to get going. The Doa blueburst Z bass was my first of many. So I got a delayed late start, but I made up for lost time quite quickly.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:36 am

ML Timecapsule 6 of 50 2001.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:03 am

the first one I bought was in 2005- it was a 2003 USA Time Capsule Flametop V in Emerald Green.... sold to fund more GAS when my ex decided he was more of an ML guy. It was the first of many Dean purchases- not nearly enough of which reside with me Sad

Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 1742 Location: NJ

My first Dean was an ML Noir XT that I bought in 2001.

It was pretty cheap and didn't last all that long. I stripped the locking nut and traded it in on a Marshall 1960A about a year later.

Then my next Dean and first USA was my Dean From Hell I bought in 2007.

Joined: 07 May 2012 Posts: 357 Location: Hellhole

My first was a (beat up) import DFH, had several issues.. Fret popping up, Floyd was out-of-whack, had a nice chip on one of the wings.. Got rid of it and got my hands on my FBD tribute.. Now I want a vintage ML!! Twisted Evil

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 10588 Location: Canada

A '78 Cherryburst V, brand new... it was a beauty.

Joined: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 95

Dean Vendetta XM in really rough condition, dents and scrapes all over it just the body and neck for £15
Is actually playable now, neck feels nice after I sprayed and polished it frets need filing and dressing but not got round to that at the minute!
Since got a VX and is an awesome guitar

Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Posts: 436

My first was a 98 ML ultra. Body was about three inches wide, and the neck joined at the 17th fret. Crappy floyd rose that lasted about a week. No flame top and no binding. Series III headstock. I wanted to love that guitar so much, I special ordered it from a dealer for 600 dollars back in 98. That guitar was a POS, Dean has come a long ways since then. I was so thrilled when the 79 series came out.

Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 1368 Location: Lutz, Fl.

koury73 wrote:

My first was a 98 ML ultra. Body was about three inches wide, and the neck joined at the 17th fret. Crappy floyd rose that lasted about a week. No flame top and no binding. Series III headstock. I wanted to love that guitar so much, I special ordered it from a dealer for 600 dollars back in 98. That guitar was a POS, Dean has come a long ways since then. I was so thrilled when the 79 series came out.

Yeah, my 1998 ML Select, (the one pictured a few posts up) ran for $550 back in 1998-1999 (no Floyd.) The Epiphone Les Pauls back then were going for $400. So the Deans actually ran for a bit more than other import guitars back then. I know like all guitars there are good and bads ones that come off the line. It seems like you got a bad one, and I got a pretty good one. Mine has real Mahogany, and a real maple cap, not a super thin laminate.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:12 pm

Those Selects were much different than the Ultra's!
I liked the Selects better than the 79 Series.

Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 1368 Location: Lutz, Fl.

wstoll wrote:

Those Selects were much different than the Ultra's!
I liked the Selects better than the 79 Series.

I agree with you. You can actually tap tone the wood on both and hear the difference. I know some people might call BS on that, but you can feel the weight difference and hear the tap tone on the selects. The selects used some really, really good wood.

Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Posts: 909

My 30th anniversary ML....sadly it proved to me that I am MUCH better with a long scale guitar.

Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 3837 Location: BOSTON

early 90's tropical era lightning bolt ML, bought new around '95.

still have it. Cool

Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 3462 Location: North Carolina

I had a Dean from hell baby, that didn't stay long, then my next dean was...

Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 3070 Location: Frozen North

<----- my Caddy select got around 2003-2004
still have Jim's blue lou Caddy it plays nice someday i'll sell it
to someone who will later sell it back to jim way it goes on here
sometimes Laughing

Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 700 Location: New Orleans

I ordered a new '81 E'lite back then which has since been sold/resold and is currently in the hands of Steve (BRG) last I heard.

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 5799

Silver Sparkle EVO60.

Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 2200 Location: Seattle, WA

Braziliaburst '79 ML. Got it from this little mom and pop guitar shop nearby my college back in '06.

Then I got Cadzilla in 2008.

Lastly in 2010 I traded the ML for a solidbody Sarasota here on the forum. Sarasota got sold a year later I think, so now I'm just down to Cadzilla.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 3:29 am

The first Dean I saw and craved (would ahve been around 1984) was a caddy in a little shop in Ellet Ohio, which is gone now. My little knockoff strat just didn't compare, but I never got it.

The 1st Dean I owned was a superstrat, which model I honestly can't say (although I have some suspicions) had a floyd rose and reverse jackson style headstock. H H S pups, and a paintjob of armored angels flying against a starscape in blue and black. It actually was not put together all that well but it's many faults somehow ended up creating a great feeling and great sounding guitar. I sold it probably 10 or so years ago when I moved to a different state and had to choose what to keep. I have since tried to find one like it with no success.

I finally got my first Caddy after moving back to Ohio, and as I suspected waaaay back when staring at one up on the wall at the age of 12, it was everything I hoped, and now......I LOVE MY CADDIES! Very Happy

Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 1742 Location: NJ

al wrote:

early 90's tropical era lightning bolt ML, bought new around '95.

still have it. Cool

Like this one?

Post some pics please Very Happy

Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 1581

Steel City, Helltone, AL, u guys have some bad mammer jammers !
Love the all Black, Steel City

Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 727 Location: Oslo, Norway

A used 2002 Time Capsule Blue Burst V, #3/50

Didn't take me long or many mock ups to black her out:

Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 3837 Location: BOSTON

yeah that's the one!

unfortunately i only have crappy group photos. it's hiding behind other Deans:

Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 1240 Location: New York, NY

my first was an import CFH around this time last year. Since then, it's been a VERY busy year for me and Dean... I picked up a tropical ML off here, an exotic V in bubinga in a trade from here, the blue water V, and I found a Z standard on ebay that I can not find a serial number anywhere on. It's not on the back of the headstock, at the end of the fretboard, or under either pickup. Plays awesome, and Alan is going to be redoing the finish and pickups to match the blue water V.

My babies:

Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Posts: 990 Location: Arid-Zona!

the first Dean I bought.... which led me here to you guys!

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:34 pm

Dean ML inport 79 Brasburst with usa floyd and emg's....was sent back asap then switched to USA Dean, played that game for a couple years..had fun, met most of you tards..then wound up going back home to Jackson

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 1:12 am

$300 off the bay. I had always thought they were bad@$$ and wanted one. Saw this and it was too good a deal. Currently in Ben Chafin's hands getting a little tweakage before DOA 2013!

And this is one of my favorite guitars period - 2003 DOA ($260!!!!)

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 7638 Location: Florida

I had a hollywood bel aire in the late 80's. I remember it was pearl white and a complete piece of poop Smile

I forget where I dumped it off back then. I went for quite some time until I picked up a new time capsule Z in 2003 before I got another one.

I remember passing on a blueburst V in the 80's because it didn't have a trem Sad

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

It was a 79 Z when I was a teen in the early 90s. I traded it to Ed Roman for a BC Rich because it was in really bad shape. Barry Lipman restored it. I think it was worth upwards of 5k when it was done. I saw it and it was beautiful. I think I traded a few ounces of weed for it when I got it. A friend of mine had it under his bed. It was his dads (who passed on) and he didn't want it. I know it was a very low serial number because Ed flipped when he saw it. I wonder where it is now?

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:44 pm

An MLX That I overpaid for but still loved, until I got rid of it lol.

Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 1640

My first dean was a rust rb.

And i liked it so much i got another one a few months later.