TEST: Dean Guitars ML Select Quilt Top OB

 As is well known, the beauty or ugliness of an object is in the eye of the beholder. It is not for me to judge for the general public how far the Dean Guitars ML Select Quilt Top OB belongs to one or the other camp. I can only say that if there should be a ranking of the most polarizing guitar shapes and colors, then the model presented for testing, together with the squeaky duck finishes of the Ibanez RG series and possibly some B.C.Rich shapes along with Massacre finishes would be the most hopeful candidates for first place.

From the tragic legend status

Perhaps apart from the status of a Les Paul, there is probably no guitar shape in the world that is so closely associated with an artist as the ML series, which was designed by Dean Zelinsky in 1976. We're talking about Darrell Lance Abbott, who made it to world fame in metal circles with his band Pantera until 1992 under the name "Diamond Darrell", then later under "Dimebag Darrell". The phrase often used by musicians, "I want to drop dead on stage during a show," was unfortunately actually put into practice for DD under tragic circumstances, when he was shot dead with at least four shots by Nathan Gale of Marysville, Ohio on December 8, 2004 at a concert of his then band Damageplan at the "Alrosa Villa Club" in Columbus.

Even if Abbott with Pantera was outwardly perceived by the inclined metal fan primarily through excessive drinking bouts, crazy tour videos and drug-filled performances, the guitarist distinguished himself not only through some world-famous metal riffs, but beyond the metal Punch and Judy show also through an excellent playing technique, which went far beyond the musically fixed limitation of his house band. Legendary is also his treble-heavy, scratchy transistor amp guitar sound, which he produced in collaboration with Randall Warhead tops and which rightly counts among the most terrible guitar sounds ever let loose on the human ear. A prime example is the disc "Cowboys From Hell", where outstanding metal arrangements and excellent guitar work meet a guitar sound that can't be surpassed in terms of undynamic scratching. Never before have craftsmanship and atrocious sound been so diametrically opposed.

The construction of the Dean Guitars ML Select Quilt Top OB

Detached from the visual component, the guitar shape of the Dean Guitars ML Select Quilt Top OB must truly be called unique. During DD's lifetime, the rights to the body shape, which looks like a backyard romp between a Flying V and an Explorer, changed hands between Dean and Washburn, depending on which company could generate the best revenue for the artist. Currently, the rights are once again with Dean Guitars, which the company documents with a rich selection on its website.

In addition to the significantly more expensive USA models, the company also offers a moderate price version, which is once again manufactured in Indonesia. One has the impression anyway that Indonesia is the new China in instrument manufacturing, probably because labor costs in China have also risen steadily in recent years and they are now switching to the next lower wage level.

Taking the instrument on the case for the first time, one can't help but check whether Dean might not have accidentally packed an electric bass in the cardboard box. The guitar is not big, the guitar is huge! If you put the guitar on the floor, the total measurement of the guitar measures 116 (!) cm. For comparison, a standard Strat brings it just to 99 cm. I dare to say that only my Doublenecks have even more wood on the same square footage than the Dean Guitars ML Select Quilt Top OB, which is not only due to the body, but also to the oversized, striking headstock. The matching case, which can be purchased separately, then also leaves more of an impression of a portable pool table than a guitar case.


Once you have peeled the block out of the packaging, the second hammer follows in the form of the finish. You can't help but get the impression that Dean Guitars wants to see how far it can go in terms of customer acceptance. The "oceanburst" finish, which according to a colleague "has something of a swimming pool", is the eye-catcher par excellence and, in combination with the already unusual body shape, puts the crown on the whole thing in terms of polarization. The maple top, however, only has veneer character and thus cannot actively contribute to the vibration behavior. By the way, the top is not curved, but absolutely flat.

Despite the huge dimensions, the instrument weighs just under 3.3 kg, which indicates that the mahogany used for the neck and body is a very light one. From the very first notes I struck on the instrument, in terms of sustain, I was led to believe that it had a continuous neck with glued-on sides, which turned out to be correct. Interestingly, the huge instrument has only a short scale length of 629 mm, maybe because DD preferred this scale length, but maybe also to not add another 2 cm of length on top ;-)

The ebony fingerboard is equipped with 22 jumbo frets and has a white binding. Speaking of binding, despite the comparatively low price, the instrument was provided with a 5-ply W/B/W/B/W binding, a job that can't be done by a robot and therefore puts a decent pressure on the manufacturing costs.

All hardware is finished in black, and the tuners are by Grover. As a tasteful (yes, the instrument has visually also very homogeneous features) continuation of the white binding and the black hardware, one has a Seymour Duncan APH1 Custom Zebra on the neck and a Seymour Duncan SH-5 Custom Zebra on the bridge installed, which with their respective differently colored coils reminds of the glorious Gibson past of the late fifties and continues the black / white alignment. The electrical system is relatively simple, 2x Volume, 1x Tone and a three-way switch, ready.


The Dean Guitars ML Select Quilt Top OB in practice

Actually, one should have the fun of playing this guitar at the local old men's blues band. The horror in the rehearsal room would be palpable ;-) Who runs up with such a shaping, makes immediately clear, what it is about. If this guitar is played clean at all at some point, then only for an intro or a C-part, otherwise the half-waves are likely to be cut off at right angles here. No crunch, not even a lead sound is aimed for here, just high gain.

Although, one does the guitar wrong with this prejudice. The continuous neck offers a very good vibration behavior and also the Seymour Duncan pickups can by all means do other than just full carrot, but probably no one will be interested. Eyes hear more and so the Dean Guitars ML Select Quilt Top OB must be measured primarily in the high gain range and so much is taken away from the front, it does not disappoint.

Once again, the Indonesian manufacture manages to bring an instrument to the market, which is significantly better processed and also sounds better than the retail price would suggest. If you like high gain with passive pickups, this is the instrument for you, especially when it comes to a powerful treble. As is well known, passive pickups like to sound a bit "rougher" and "less linear" in high gain than their active competitors, which among other things leads to a completely different sound.

Although the Alnico representative on the neck lacks a bit of character, the bridge variant can completely convince in terms of bite and pressure. The instrument resonates very well just because of the sheer mass and the continuous neck and will make many metalheads happy, provided they are 180 cm or taller. Just the idea of Angus Young strapping such a guitar around his neck will cause a massive laughing fit.

Conclusion

With the Dean Guitars ML Select Quilt Top OB, the Pantera house brand has an affordable model with a very good price / performance ratio at the start. The instrument convinces with a very good workmanship, an excellent vibration behavior and an assertive high gain sound, as you need it for this body shape.

P.S. The personal preferences of the author regarding the shape and color scheme should have no influence on the choice of the customer ;-)

Additional informations:

- Dean Guitars is a well-known manufacturer of guitars and other stringed instruments. The company was founded in 1977 by Dean Zelinsky in Chicago, Illinois, and quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality guitars that were both innovative and affordable.

Today, Dean Guitars is a major player in the music industry and has a wide range of products that cater to different genres of music. The company's guitars are known for their distinctive shapes and designs, and they are used by some of the biggest names in music, including Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Michael Amott of Arch Enemy, and Dimebag Darrell of Pantera.

Dean Guitars offers a variety of guitar models to suit different playing styles and preferences. The company's most famous model is the Dean ML, which has a distinctive double-cutaway design and is often associated with heavy metal music. The Dean Razorback is another popular model that is designed for heavy metal and has a unique "V" shape.

In addition to its electric guitars, Dean Guitars also produces acoustic guitars, bass guitars, and other stringed instruments. The company's acoustic guitars are made from high-quality materials such as solid spruce and mahogany, and they are designed to produce a warm and rich tone.
Dean Guitars is also known for its innovative designs and features. The company's Dimebag Darrell signature models, for example, feature a Floyd Rose tremolo system and a "Bill Lawrence L-500XL" humbucking pickup that was specially designed for Dimebag. The company's Dean Vendetta XM model is another example of an innovative design that features a lightweight body and a slim neck for ease of playability.

In recent years, Dean Guitars has also expanded its product line to include accessories such as guitar cases, strings, and pedals. The company's pedals, in particular, have gained a reputation for their high quality and innovative features.

One of the unique aspects of Dean Guitars is its commitment to sustainability. The company uses environmentally friendly materials whenever possible, and it has also implemented recycling programs to reduce waste. In addition, Dean Guitars has partnered with organizations such as the Rainforest Alliance and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative to promote sustainable forestry practices.

In conclusion, Dean Guitars is a well-respected manufacturer of guitars and other stringed instruments that has been in business for over four decades. The company is known for its innovative designs, high-quality materials, and commitment to sustainability. Whether you're a beginner or a professional musician, there is a Dean guitar that will suit your playing style and preferences.

- Pantera was a heavy metal band that formed in Arlington, Texas, in 1981. The band consisted of vocalist Phil Anselmo, guitarist Dimebag Darrell, bassist Rex Brown, and drummer Vinnie Paul. Pantera was known for their heavy and aggressive music, and they were a major influence on the metal scene in the 1990s.

Pantera's early music was heavily influenced by glam and thrash metal. Their first three albums, "Metal Magic" (1983), "Projects in the Jungle" (1984), and "I Am the Night" (1985), were all released independently and received little attention outside of their local area.

It wasn't until the release of their fourth album, "Power Metal" (1988), that Pantera began to gain national recognition. The album was more focused and aggressive than their previous work, and it showcased Dimebag Darrell's impressive guitar skills.

However, it was their next album, "Cowboys from Hell" (1990), that truly put Pantera on the map. The album was a massive success and featured hit singles such as "Cowboys from Hell" and "Cemetery Gates." The album's heavy and groove-based sound became a defining characteristic of Pantera's music.

Pantera's next album, "Vulgar Display of Power" (1992), solidified their status as one of the most important bands in the metal scene. The album featured some of the band's most famous songs, including "Walk" and "Mouth for War." The album's aggressive and intense sound, combined with Anselmo's powerful vocals, made it an instant classic.

In 1994, Pantera released "Far Beyond Driven," which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was even more aggressive than their previous work, and it featured some of the band's most intense songs, such as "Becoming" and „Slaughtered."

Pantera continued to release successful albums throughout the 1990s, including "The Great Southern Trendkill" (1996) and "Reinventing the Steel" (2000). However, the band's success was cut short in 2003 when Dimebag Darrell was tragically killed while performing on stage with his band Damageplan.

Despite their relatively short career, Pantera had a significant impact on the metal scene and continues to be an influential band today. Their aggressive and intense sound, combined with their impressive musicianship, inspired countless metal bands and helped to define the genre in the 1990s.