DEAR DEAN GUITARS: STOP MILKING DIMEBAG’S DEATH, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND PANTERA
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at 3:55pm by Vince Neilstein
It has to be said: before Dimebag Darrel died, Dean Guitars was nothing. Since their heyday in the early ’80s, the company has been a running joke in the music industry, their most prominent supporter Michael Angelo Batio, himself something of a running joke. Attendees as the annual Winter NAMM show in Anaheim could count on two things from Dean at their booth; hot chicks with enormous silicone breasts, and a live performance from Batio and his double-neck axe, complete with mullet and over-under ridiculousness. The guitars? An afterthought. But all that changed when Dimebag, a Dean supporter himself, died in 2004.
Dimebag is now the company’s poster-child, co-opted by the marketing department for the sake of selling guitars. Their NAMM booth is adorned with posters of him on every surface; a giant video screen showing Dimevision highlights runs on repeat all day long. The Dean official website splash page features Dime waxing about his Dean. Dean has just released the 5,697th version of the Dime Razorback guitar. And guitarists in metal bands the world over are using Dean guitars, thanks to the company hawking Dimebag’s name at every opportunity possible.
This desecration of Dimebag has got to stop. It’s getting ridiculous. Good for Dean Guitars for reviving their image; really, good for them, they make some fine guitars. But drop the Dime worship already. Enough is enough. It’s akin to bands still covering “Walk” and having the crowd chant “Dime-bag! Dime-bag!” at every show just to get everyone riled up. Stop it. You’re killing Dimebag’s legacy. It must end. Now.
-VN
hey, i guess Dime’s “widow” got to eat, so Dean guitars better stick to their true & tested bread machine
and i completely agree about the “Walk” covers, am personally very tired of blabbermouth headlines that read “thirdrate metalcore performed Walk in some bar in Ohio last night” 4 times a month
I’m not nearly as sick of the “Walk” covers as much as I”m sick of hearing people speak positively about In This Moment’s buturing of “I’m Broken”.
Doesnt Dave Mustaine play a Dean? What about Micahel Schenker?
You said it!
Dave does play a dean. From jackson to ltd to dean, That Michael shenker dean is ass ugly and the new razorbacks are great guitars….but as was said…please end it already. Even P-diddy didn’t milk dead biggies titties this long.
This is not quite true. Dean’s Dime guitars were pretty decent before he died (the American made versions). But yes, they’ve come out with about 10 models since his death three+ years ago. Would anyone in this virtual room NOT do the same, given the circumstances?
That’s what I thought.
I bought a schenker v from dean and it was horrible! I took it back within 2 days of purchase. They are just mass producing cheap, horrible guitars. Even their 1000 dollar Dimebag sounded horrid. Very disapointing.
do you know how to play guitar? Deans are awesome as hell.
And Krank, the amp company, has been doing the same thing. The ink on the contract with Dimebag had just dried before he took the bullets, and they’ve been milking it since.
Agreed.
I’m glad someone stepped out and said it.
I bet Dime would’ve laughed a bit if he’d've known how much his death would be exploited.
I thought Dave played ESP…
I wouldn’t worry about it. Before Dean, Washburn was trying to milk Dime, and that was while he was alive. Dime was the only thing Washburn had, and now that he’s left, they have nothing. Can you name another player using Washburn guitars? I can’t.
Besides, it isn’t half as shameful as Fender milking Jimi Hendrix. That is just digusting.
Agree with Sammy… Krank was a very small amp company. They started advertising with Dime in Guitar World magazine about a month before Dime was shot. Now they’re a pretty successful company. But at least they have a few more clients now and are not milking him as much.
@ Hibernum: Washburn does indeed have a few endorsees, but it’s second tier players. But they’re names you’d recognize: Sonny Mayo, Nick Catonese, Dan Donegan, Scott Iean.
A-fucking-men!!!!
Can’t agree woth you more Metal Sucks.I’ve been a huge Dean fan and bigger Pantera fan.Loved some Deans but guess you are right,enough is enough.
sadly, he had a contract that he wasn’t able to complete due to being killed. Dean is going to get value from the money they paid out. (it’s not like Dime’s estate returned the cash) I’m pretty sure everyone on here would do the same thing if they sunk multi-millions on an endorsement deal. (same goes for Krank)
Also, I don’t see much difference between this and the Fender Dead Guy Series (Stevie Ray Vaughn guitar comes to mind, soon to be joined by Clapton)
Shit, I’d be honored if a guitar was named after me and was as popular after my death as during my life so long as my family continued being paid for it (which they are) Most people get tossed into a box and forgotten, Dime has a line of guitars that will be remembered for as long as people play/collect guitars.
If just feel bad for the kids who are duped into buying one of those guitars. Fuck, Dean guitars suck!
Look, Dimebag has been sent to the immortal rock and roll hall of guitar player fame. Better get used to seeing/reading ads and articles about him in every guitar player magazine from here on out. This same thing applies to Randy Rhoads, Hendrix, SRV, etc. His image and legend is immortal and will be raped in the name of commerce until the end of time.
On second thought, I agree with Manny, 100%.
I was disgusted when I saw Pantera and Dime shirts show up a week after his death….i mean a great tribute guitar for Dime is no different then a tribute guitar for Randy Rhodes…but Dean’s been going over board just a tad.
i forgot to finish that first sentence…they showed up at Hot Topic
[...] this actually might be kind of cool; everyone knows the chorus to “Walk” thanks to the corporate sodomization of Dimebag’s death, but Lamb of God? A bit more obscure, despite the Guitar Hero nod. Proof: [...]
[...] DBZ Guitars? I mean, it’s as if he said, “I, too, am disappointed and shocked at the raping and pillaging of Dimebag Darrell’s legacy in the name of selling bucketloads of guitars under the guise of tribute. I’m outta here.” [...]
Unreal, now they are flogging a Dean Dime Time Pickup. HE USED SEYMOURS AND ILL LAWRENCE
I FUCK HATE DEANS
Dean isn’t “milking” Dime’s legacy. By creating the masterpieces that are his Razorback series, Dean gives true Dime followers a way to show their respect for Dime along with a kick ass look. I am currently getting a price estimate on a custom Cemetery Gates ML. Not because it looks cool (Just a bonus), but because it has meaning. Just as the song did. Just as Dime did to everyone who looked up to him. Dime was a great guy and if you haven’t been to the bar where he died, people come from all over the world to sign the rock in his memory. Back to my first point. Dean isn’t “milking” Dime’s legacy. They are letting him and his music live on for all of us who cared. If you say they should cut the line, then you’re saying to forget about someone who lost his life doing what he loved. He was always true to himself and his fans. Leaving Pantera didn’t make him untrue to his fans because he left to start a new functional band for his music to live on. So you can say they should cut the line, but if you do, you might as well spit on his grave. I know I wouldn’t.
Dimebag was best gutiarist ever!
Time to let him rest in peace.. Dime was the best.. But know time to move on he will be in our hearts forever. U can’t dwell on teh past or it will kill ya..
“Tsolakis”, what are you talking about? What a load of bull. If you don’t think they are milking Dime, then head and over be sure to get…
1. A Dimebag Darrell Guitar (Chinese made, just like Dime wanted)
2. A Dimbag Darrell Hat
3. Dimebag Darrell Shirt
4. Dimebag Darrell Poster
5. Dimebag Darrell Amp
6. Dimebag Darrell Hoodie
7. Dimebag Darrell life size cardboard cutout
While your at it, why not grow your hair out and die your goatee red and call yourself “Dime”.
People don’t be fooled, Dean Guitars, the company, are dancing on his grave and laughing all the way to the bank. That BS written above is propaganda malarkey.
So there Drew C. Not all dime guitars are made in China. Fucking get ur shit straight before you say something. Also, he drew those up for them before he died because he wanted those made.
Oh. Also, my hair is long and I have a beard. Just not a pink one.
Dude — he DID NOT DRAW all that shit. You have been fed lies. Post the link here of the dimebonics guitar and tell me I’m wrong. You can’t deny they are whoring that shit out though. Not saying they are bad guitars, but what is next a life size blow up doll of Rita? Bring that shit on!
Theres a thing called contractual obligations..while i agree that some models are a bit out there the only 2 actual models put out after his death that werent guitars already were the razorbacks…the ML stealth were out already all the others arent really models there just paint jobs and graphics……
******* DEAN ZELINKY DID NOT QUIT. HE WAS FIRED!****** More sour grapes from a guy who couldn’t run a nusiness back in the day and now, his only recourse is to trash the company that gave him a second chance. Nice goin’ Zelinsky.
VM, why don’t you stop licking Dean Zelinsky’s nut sack and tell the truth. Dean Zelinsky got fired from VN, Dean Guitars. Dean Zelinsky sold the company in the 80’s, not the 90’s, because he is not a businessman. Also, Dimebag choose Dean Guitars and the Abbot estate WANTS to continue Dime’;s legacy with the brand of Guitars he used. Regarding Michael Angelo Batio – he doesn’t perform at the booth at NAMM. Maybe he did a long time ago, but not anymore. I have been to NAMM for at least the last 4 years and have never seen him perform anywhere at any booth. You must either be friends with Zelinsky or he is paying you to trash an awesome company. DEAN GUITARS RULe and nothintg you say is going to change that. Dean Zelisnky’s career was resurrected by the current owner. His way of repaying him is to trash the company. Dean Z is a low life, failed businessman.
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You do realize that everything released by Dean guitars is approved by Vinnie and Rita, right?
Also everything released is based upon his own drawings.
And Dean sure asnhell would not release a Dime amp or pickup without it being discussed with Dime before he died!
And why is everybody so fucking upset about the whole razorback thing?
Is i just cause it says dime on the headstock?
Jackson guitars REALLY has whored out the randy rhoads model in the same way in that case!
They used pictures of randy in advertising, but i dont here anybody complaining about that?
That said, i also think it has gone to long, and it would be nice to se some less whoring, so people actually could se what great other guitars dean makes!
A couple of points.
1. I’m 55 years old and if it wasn’t for Dean Guitars I would have never heard of Dime.I wasn’t into metal till about a year ago.
2.Dean has a ton of other artist on there roster.If you go to there web site and click on artist you will see how many.And all metal artist either .
3.Having lived in Tampa all my life I happen to know Elliot the owner of Dean for about 20 years.
He is one of the few honest business men on the planet.
4.I’m a D.O.A. member was at the factory in February and saw Dime’s drawings there.
talk to Vinnie and the people that work there.They take what they do very seriously.
5.The DIme amp is a good example They found the tech that built Dime’s original amp paid him to built this new amp.Than got Dime’s guitar tech of 13 years to make sure it was right.
6.Dean guitars is not just about making money it is also about making people happy .My first Dean was in a box in pieces when I got it at a local shop.
As I was reassembling it there when parts missing this wasn’t a highend guitar it is an EVO XM .
I called them they got the part i needed at a fair price and made me very happy.
You may not like Dean’s but I do and I thanked them for introducing me to Dime and his music.
Jeffry. Ur rightin every way. Rock on man
Personaly, I see it this way, All of you out here would do the same if put in the same position. I don’t
know if anyone has told you guys yet but, get used to it it’s the way of the world and the world
does’nt meet you half way. I would do anything to make sure my family was taken care of finantally, and if that ment milking my name then so be it. Why would I would I care, I’m dead. And the world remembering me and my name after I was gone is a plus in my book.
Your all douch’s. Its not milking it, its remembering the greatest person to come into the metal world and make ti what it is. His death was a tragedy, and every metal can not hate dime or pantera because thats the roots of this gay asss new metal thats comming out. Shove it up your ass’s you bunch of fake ass metalhead.
MAY DIMEBAG LIVE ON!!
NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!
I agree, you can deny it all you want, Dean guitars ARE milking dimebag’s name!!!!! I mean c’mon, after his death they started getting these guitars and slapping his name on them that he never designed. They even slapped his head on one guitar too. What the fuck?! Then, to make it more obvious, they designed another stupid dime guitar with his favorite saying all over it and slapped his name on it calling it “Dime bionics”. And he never designed it!!!! That Rita chick did, who ever the fuck that is designed it. Then they make a amp and stamped his name on it too. I’ll admit it, Jackson guitar did make a couple of randy Rhodes guitars, but at least they didn’t slap his name on every single one. Not even on the new Rhodes guitars. Unlike Dean produced more than 30 guitar with his name on every single one of them!!