This review is from: Dean Cadi Guitar, Select Quilt, Tiger EyeI have a late-model version of this guitar but in amber burst and gold hardware - Korean-made, which I expect this one is also. It was bought used from a friend/co-worker.I had handled his guitar when he brought it to work one day and found it solid and smooth but I wasn't interested in it per se. But when I found myself in the market rather suddenly (friend of my daughter's wanted to take guitar lessons - but only from me!) I tried a new Gibson Les Paul and quite frankly, found it wanting: finish didn't feel good, pots were chintzy - disappointing. But I thought of the Dean and said to myself, "mahogany; set neck; 'buckers in a four-knob arrangement...would I not be in the ballpark?" These Cadillacs are very neck-heavy; the long large headstock guarantees this. But I didn't *realize* it was neck-heavy until I tried a slippery strap; use one that is suede-ey or somewhat unfinished leather on the bottom and you'll never know. I have found that the headstock's mass often makes me want to shake-vibrato whole chords. Access to the upper frets is a little bit compromised by the neck heel; a strap that doesn't narrow down at the end exacerbates this; the strap button is attached at the heel and points backward. I use a rough-bottomed leather strap with an adjustable sling turned backward so that the sling part goes to the heel button.The string angles at the nut are a little extreme and you really must lube it with Nut Sauce or something similar; even plain strings will catch. If you are thinking about a whammy bar, you *must* have a locking nut and I can't tell you for sure if there even is one that can accommodate the angles. I've decided against trying it.I should point out that my friend had had an active EMG kit (pull-knob single-coil switches for bridge and neck) put in place of the stock pickups. When my friend did the AMG kit, he just dropped the battery in the control cavity wrapped in foam and electrical tape; I had a proper pop-out battery holder installed and am much happier. I can get a bit into Strat and Tele territory in single-coil mode; all in all, there's a lot of flexibility with this kit.So I would tell you, if you like the combination rad/trad look of this guitar and you like Les-Paul-like guitars as a class, *buy* the guitar; *try* the guitar. Use the additional money you might have spent to get a Gibson and try a pickup kit you like the idea of, passive or active. Because I have come to know my Cadillac with the EMGs and really, really enjoy it, I will probably never change them out, but you would do well to think of this guitar as a test bed for LP-style pickup/control combinations...there are so many wonderful choices!...
This review is from: Dean Cadi Guitar, Select Quilt, Tiger EyeI've been playing for about 20 years. Music is usually still in my top 3 hobbies and I have about 20 guitars (including basses, nylon strings, electric, steel string, etc.) ranging from "great bang for the buck" guitars to high end boutique, custom instruments. I'm very careful when buying instruments; there's always a good rational and purpose. I bought this one.Out of all of my instruments, this is in my top 2 bang for buck categories (1st place in the electric category). I'd feel comfortable taking this one on stage and/or recording with it. It looks cool, sounds perfectly fine, it has smooth action, and separate controls for the pickups (which is important to me since I like sometimes setting one p/u level all the way down to use the selector as a kill switch... great idea for live performances when using high gain amps or messing with it rhythmically a la Tom Morello). I also really like the bevelled top shape. The pickups give a fairly thick tone. The neck p/u will give you a nice round, smooth sound (great for leads, clean tone, and works well with that purposefully sloppy/dirty rhythm sound). The bridge p/u is obviously a lot sharper and is great for high gain tight rhythms while picking up harmonics nicely. I think I paid under $300 for this used. I think it's still under $500 new. My thoughts to make it a little more ideal: I wouldn't mind seeing one with a Floyd Rose; Easier access to the higher frets could be nice; and, An ebony fingerboard would look sharp.. but I guess that's why Dean has a custom USA shop.All in all/ bottom line: great bang for your buck. I have 2 Deans (Cadillac and an exotic wood acoustic [also a great deal]) and I'm sure I will buy a couple more in the next year or two (namely the Dean USA Dime and possibly a resonator). I'd recommend this guitar to anyone- beginner or advanced....
This review is from: Dean Cadi Guitar, Select Quilt, Tiger EyeHeard alot of good things about this Guitar, so I bought one for my son. He pluged it in and sounds great "son stated", the next second, a screw fell out of the what he called the "Pick up" area. Ends up the screw was just sitting there in the hole. Put it back in the hole, but does not screw in like it does not fit? Sending it back for a replacement as I have been told this company "usually" makes a good product. Keep you informed when the next one comes in.Hopefull.......
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
»»»Visit Store NOW...
Best price click here
