so everybody is still saying that dean sucks etc etc but we still see corey playing it .dean make their signature model and it last just one year so lets see what you think

At the first show I seen this year, Matt explained that Dean Zelinksy was the main reason they joined Dean to begin with, and after he left, the quality of the guitars went down.

I asked Matt and Corey this at a meet and greet. Although obviously I didn't get a conclusive answer which is understandable, both commented on the lack of quality and reliability of dean as a company, not just a guitar. So one would guess it must have something to do with this.

If their experience with Dean is anything like mine then I can understand. I think dean make amazing guitars regardless of whether these guys are signed to them or not. What I would imagine though is that the guys would not have to walk into a music shop whenever they feel like getting a new dean, they'd have them delivered straight to them. And due to Dean not selling inside Australia, I've also had to do that from overseas. I've had 4 Deans delivered to me, and 2 have come damaged. The packing and construction of the cases is terrible, its a real shame to dean as a company. They seem like a bunch of guys who are masterclass at building beautiful guitars, and I'd imagine they're be quite a personal down to earth company. However, as a business I think Dean just don't have it all together. I've heard heaps of reports from retailers about constantly getting late and damaged orders from them. Dean just don't seem to be able to deliver on anything other than quality.

I'm willing to bet unless something big happened between the guys and Dean, that little things like this were the reason they parted ways, whether that's a result of Dean Zelinksy leaving or not.

I think it's sad that they've split with Dean completely. Ember and Ascendency had a unique sound based off the combination of Matt's Gibson's and Corey's Jackson's. When they started playing deans exclusively, at shows these songs sort of lost their sound. Still the same kick arse songs, but something was just missing. That said though, The Crusade and Shogun also had their unique sound which no doubt was created by their dueling Deans. I was lucky enough to see the guys between those months where Shogun was released and they split from Dean, and I have to say that all of the songs from the Crusade and Shogun era that they played sounded spot on and had the classic feel of the albums.

I've seen them since when they're back to the Gibson's and Jackson's, and all of the Ascendency era stuff is back to its incredible best. The whole original kick arse feel and sound is back, however I find songs such as KG and Anthem now losing that originality. Like it or not, Dean gave the guys that unique Crusade/Shogun sound and nothing other than a Dean is going to replicate it. I just wish the split didn't have to be so definate and that the guys still had a few Dean's each up their sleeves to play some of the Crusade/Shogun era songs at shows.

I realise lugging two setups around is impractical for even the biggest bands in history, even the likes of Metallica and all stick to one tuning and setup over their whole show. I'm just saying, one door opens, one door also shuts unfortunately. I fully endorse the guys chopping and changing styles and sounds every album while still staying true, it's a wonderful thing to see, and something which most bands can't do. I just wish you could relive all the eras at once in a single show because each era does thrive off that unique sound depending on where the guys were at in that point in time. I realise it can't happen, just reminiscing!

Anyway that's my rant over! :P

=Jeremy H said:At the first show I seen this year, Matt explained that Dean Zelinksy was the main reason they joined Dean to begin with, and after he left, the quality of the guitars went down.

I think the Jackson's suited Corey and the Gibson's for Matt much better than the Dean's. Their sound was created using that combination and I'm glad to see they are back to themplus corey's Jackson sig prototype looks absolutely killercross between a demelition V and his Dean signature XD

=Jer said:At the first show I seen this year, Matt explained that Dean Zelinksy was the main reason they joined Dean to begin with, and after he left, the quality of the guitars went down.

=trivium-dorsteinn said:

=Jer said:At the first show I seen this year, Matt explained that Dean Zelinksy was the main reason they joined Dean to begin with, and after he left, the quality of the guitars went down.

^This. Matt has always loved his Gibsons though.

had anyone got a link to pics of Corey's New sig cos i really would like to see what its like

@Charlie Day:

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/78/l_5b725a634eff4fe49ee9cd09fa1a20b7.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/101/l_1766fa36b98a4de3bec5440b7109a772.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/106/l_8c6a215e63fa4a9580f20ab308c0f721.jpg

And as far as the quality of Dean's USA made guitars go - I absolutely love mine, and I don't question its build quality, it's near flawless. So I really don't know what Matt was talking about when/if he said that the quality of their guitars declined. And my USA Dean is '08 made.

cheers man. Just after i posted that i looked on my facebook wall and somone had tagged Corey in a picture with his new signature. i hope it goes on sale!

Maybe he was talking about the quality of the company in general. I know i seen a video on youtube where matt set his guitar down to hop into the crowd, the guitar fell and the headstock broke off.