The Dean of Bass Guitars!
Written: May 12 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Man I can't fit it all in.....in this space! It Rocks!
Cons: It's discontinued, but God bless E-bay!!!!
The Bottom Line: This Bass Has Big Bottom, a smooth mid section and detail on the top end!
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| madarnell's Full Review: Dean Razor Standard 4-String Electric Bass |
The Dean Razor Bass
I have been requesting on and off to e-pinions and some of you who are “Lead” writers to help get more products to review. Especially in the area’s that I like to read and write in such as guitars, microphones (no pro category yet) guitar amps and whatever. So I finally check the new products section and notice they have a few new guitars and basses listed. The Dean Razor bass guitar being one of them. But the problem here folks, and here is my main beef with e-pinions, is this bass was discontinued on 8/20/03! My God nothing like waiting till the last minute to add a product to your “information site” and lole-and behold the fricken this is obsolete.
This is why I go in and out of writing spurts on this site! How can actively write in the “equipment category” if it’s gonna take 2 years after the stupid products are no longer made to get it on e-pinions???
Ok enough of the ranting, but please if you are a “Lead” or and “Advisor” in the musical instrument category please help HOUND e-pinions about getting more equipment listed!
The Dean Razor 4-String Bass
Dean guitars have been around for quite awhile. Starting production around 1977 they have been making fine American Made guitars & basses. The Dean Razor 4-string bass is one of them. As I researched a little more I quickly remember seeing many guitarist playing Deans in addition to their Gibson’s and Fenders. Here’s a brief list of some, see if you remember seeing these people with a Dean.
Artist
Banner Thomas- of Molly Hatchet
Ben Orr- of The Cars
Billy Gibbons-of ZZ Top
Billy Greer- of Kansas
Bobby Barth-of Blackfoot
Eric Bloom-of Blue Oyster Cult
CC Deville-of Poison
Charlie Hargrett- of Blackfoot
Chuck Goff -of Toby Keith
Dan Spitz-of Anthrax
Dimebag Darrell
Greg T. Walker-of Blackfoot
Greg S. – of Laura D & the Groovemachine
Dope
Dusty Hill - of ZZ Top
John McFee of the Doobie Brothers
Pat Travers
Nancy Wilson-of Heart
Randy Rhoades -Ozzy Ozbourne
Rik Emmett-of Triumph
Rick Derringer-of Edgar Winter
Sammy Hagar-of Van Halen
Sammy Kershaw
ZZ Top
Vince Neil-of Motley Crue
Traci Gunns -of LA Gunns
The Razor in use
I’ve been using the Razor on and off for about 4 years now. I say on & off because it’s not actually mine but my good friend Greg S. who plays bass in my wife’s band Laura D & the Groovemachine. I’m normally on guitar but Greg is also and excellent guitarist who sings. So we trade off and swap instruments so he can sing a few tunes and rip some killer lead work and I cover bass duties. I remember the first gig we had when he showed up with it. He had just bought it new for about $600.00 and I was struck immediately with it’s sleek looks and styling. It had a natural wood, oil tung finish. Right from the first down beat the Razor had a full but detailed tone. Not flabby or tubby and not over trebly either (nothing like the name “RAZOR”)…….very balanced is what I’m trying to say. This has been the main bass guitar tone in our band now for about 4 years straight, and it has covered many styles of music perfectly! Styles like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Cold Shot to Classic R&B/Motown and 70’s Funk! In fact I play some of the more funky “Slap” style on tunes like “Brick House” and this bass is a great funky slapping bass. The action is just right to get you fingers in there and pop like Bootsy!
Specifications
Ash Body or Alder Body (Depends on finish)
34" Scale & 1-1/2" Nut
Grover Tuners
Brushed Chrome Hardware
Rosewood Fingerboard
Dean 3D Preamp
Dean Session Pickups
Bolt-on Maple & Walnut Neck
Abalone Dot Inlays
24 Frets
The Feel & The tone
The Razor comes with what they call a 3-D Dean Preamp system”. Not sure what that really means, but it is active and runs off one 9V Battery. It has a Bass, Mid, and Treble controls and 2 volumes for the 2 Dean Session Pickups! The EQ controls are very expressive, allowing you to dial in just the right amount of lows, mids and highs right there on the guitar. No need to keep "walking around" back to your amp. This makes this bass very versatile! Even more than a fender Jazz bass! I really love how the Razor neck and action feels. The over-all body is solid, not to heavy but definitely not cheap feeling either. The construction is great, no flaws and American made.
The Low Down
It’s really a shame that Dean decided to discontinue this guitar! Rumor is that Dean was not making enough profit on it. The Bass was simply too nice for it's price range that it falls in. I’d believe it too, cause most basses aren’t built this nice for $600.00. You’d have to pay at least $1000.00 to get quality and tone like this! It really is a great playing and sounding instrument. I’m actually considering seeing if I can track down one on e-bay after reading my own article….damn….I need to stop writing these things, it’s costing me too much money. Oh well, what’s one more guitar gonna hurt right!
The Dean Razor Bass is worth it!
Thanks for reading
Mark Darnell
Groovebelly Productions
Recommended:
Yes
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