Korean Pic and thoughts about USA models

Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 27

Korean vs. USA Deans fascinates me, since it appears the acual differences are pretty small. One screw rather than three in trussrod cover, slightly different Grovers, maybe a better nut, possibly better fret-work, plausibly improved wood and paint. When you go from Mexican Fender to USA, the differences jump out at you, and it's obvious what changes to justify the price increase. The 3-pickup Cadillac with case from 2006 for $450, mint, unplayed, including shipping, makes a $1,000, $1,500, $2,000 USA version seem off-the-scale...[

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Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 4253 Location: Derry, N Ireland

bnastali wrote:

Korean vs. USA Deans fascinates me, since it appears the acual differences are pretty small. One screw rather than three in trussrod cover, slightly different Grovers, maybe a better nut, possibly better fret-work, plausibly improved wood and paint. When you go from Mexican Fender to USA, the differences jump out at you, and it's obvious what changes to justify the price increase. The 3-pickup Cadillac with case from 2006 for $450, mint, unplayed, including shipping, makes a $1,000, $1,500, $2,000 USA version seem off-the-scale...[

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The imports are definitely a good guitar, nothing wrong with them, and many people on here who have several USA guitars love them as work horses. You cant truly appreciate the difference until you play a USA side to side with an import. The feel and quality of a USA is why you would buy one. Spec's have nothing to do with the feel.

Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 8257 Location: Ontario, Canada

Imports have generic bridges for the most part. The USA's have tone pros. I know the bridge makes a difference. I installed a tone pros on the splittail I sold Revman.

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:39 pm

Once you have a USA, you will understand the differences.

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:49 pm

wstoll wrote:

Once you have a USA, you will understand the differences.

Very true!

Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 957 Location: D.O.A. 04-00341

From one that has owned more than one USA Dean and had many Korean and USA Deans on my work bench, the differences are more than a screw or two.

Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 27

I believe it...just wonder, since the Korean is SO good...where you draw the line on price/performance. Pic of the brown striped Cadillac slays me...splendid in the extreme!!

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14465

It all boils down to preference.
What sounds best to you?
What feels best to you?
What fits within your budget?

Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 27

There is something cool about Dean having a vibe no other guitar has...also, a great setup works wonders for any good guitar! Laughing

Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Posts: 5603 Location: phoenix az.

there is a difference but a 2000 dollar difference.....ive owned both I can honestly say though vintage deans with rolled binding are a little sweeter .I play imports cause i beat the crap outta them at the clubs but i had mine refretted with hudge frets different pickups and bridges.