What Bass is this??

N

Neven

Dec 31, 2023
14
10
31
#1
Someone please help! I inherited a Dean “Edge” bass, yet I do not know this brand nor its value. It’s left-handed and its right-handed equivalent is selling online for around $3000. Whaaaat??? Is mine the same “Edge” model with similar worth and why is the other worth so much money? I tried getting in touch with Dean Inc. but they are probably run by musicians, because they don’t respond to either voicemails or emails.
Please see attached photos.
 

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#4
Interesting. I'm no Dean expert (there are several here though), I hadn't realized they did a USA Custom Shop version of the Edge. Quite a different bass than the mid-low range Made in Korea version in the pics. Look on ebay closed auctions, they're all over in the low-end range...
 
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#6
Neven said:
I think I am getting to the “meat” of it:
This specific Edge Model’s body is made from Transbrazilia Mahogany which, according to this guitar post, has great Sustain. So maybe it’s the Transbrazilia that makes this an expensive model?
See this guitar ad:

ML 79 Floyd Flame Top - Trans Brazilia | Dean Guitars
Click to expand...
For that much price difference, I would imagine all of the components are probably upgraded in some way. I hadn't heard of Trans Brazilia Mahogany before, will read up, thanks.
 
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#8
I would imagine that too. But if the central aspect is the Trans Brazilia Mahogany, then whether the rest of the components are made in the USA or Korea will make a $2000 price difference?? Really? Made in Korea is not “Made in China.” Also…EMG pickups on the $2499 model aren’t much to shout about. The same EMG pickups are on Steinberger Spirits and people do often switch out the pots. Maybe my Korean model is merely plain mahogany, perhaps?
 
#9
Neven said:
I would imagine that too. But if the central aspect is the Trans Brazilia Mahogany, then whether the rest of the components are made in the USA or Korea will make a $2000 price difference?? Really? Made in Korea is not “Made in China.” Also…EMG pickups on the $2499 model aren’t much to shout about. The same EMG pickups are on Steinberger Spirits and people do often switch out the pots. Maybe my Korean model is merely plain mahogany, perhaps?
Click to expand...
I'm sure most of the difference in price is explained by the "USA Custom Shop" tag, rather than any components. I would expect better components all around, but no doubt they're playing for the "USA made means better quality" crowd. We'll find out once Those That Know arrive. Be patient. ;)
 
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#11
Neven said:
I would imagine that too. But if the central aspect is the Trans Brazilia Mahogany, then whether the rest of the components are made in the USA or Korea will make a $2000 price difference?? Really? Made in Korea is not “Made in China.” Also…EMG pickups on the $2499 model aren’t much to shout about. The same EMG pickups are on Steinberger Spirits and people do often switch out the pots. Maybe my Korean model is merely plain mahogany, perhaps?
Click to expand...

Sorry friend, you did not hit the jackpot. Since you're using Google, you are certainly seeing (and ignoring) all the other Dean Edge basses that are for sale all over the place for around $400 or lower.

Of course there is the desire to want to look at the most expensive possible example and compare to that but yours is drastically different. Materials and craftsmanship make the difference. The same reason you can get Precision Basses from Fender that all "look the same" but will run you anywhere between $700-$2,000+

Wishful thinking, but still cool to have gotten a free bass regardless of value!!!
 
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#13
timendous said:
Sorry friend, you did not hit the jackpot. Since you're using Google, you are certainly seeing (and ignoring) all the other Dean Edge basses that are for sale all over the place for around $400 or lower.

Of course there is the desire to want to look at the most expensive possible example and compare to that but yours is drastically different. Materials and craftsmanship make the difference. The same reason you can get Precision Basses from Fender that all "look the same" but will run you anywhere between $700-$2,000+

Wishful thinking, but still cool to have gotten a free bass regardless of value!!!
Click to expand...

Indeed. I will not look a gift-horse in the mouth. I was already fantasizing what I was going to be doing with $2500! Lol.
I was going to buy an Sennheiser MD441U, a Hofner Ignition short-scale with a customized piezo installed in the neck to make it sound more like thumpy double-bass… And maybe a CAD VX2, to boot (my dream mic). I dared to dream! Thanks.
 
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#16
Neven said:
Someone please help! I inherited a Dean “Edge” bass, yet I do not know this brand nor its value. It’s left-handed and its right-handed equivalent is selling online for around $3000. Whaaaat??? Is mine the same “Edge” model with similar worth and why is the other worth so much money? I tried getting in touch with Dean Inc. but they are probably run by musicians, because they don’t respond to either voicemails or emails.
Please see attached photos.
Click to expand...
2009 Dean Edge 4 LH Trans Amberburst.
Made in South Korea at the World Music Factory.
Most LH Edge 4 were only available in Classic Black, so you have one that is a bit 'special'
I invite you to Dean Club!!! (always drop in here first for questions about Dean basses, ALWAYS)

Below is a page from a 2007/2008 catalog
Move the decimal one space to the left. $300. if it was an Edge 4Q or Edge 4QB it would be worth more. Only USA Deans brand new go for that amount of coin.

By the way, I'm the Dean nut job here at TB.

Dean_0708catalog 34.png

Dean_0708_catalog 55.jpg

edge 4 price.jpg


Swiss Franks shown. In 2010 a Swiss Frank was worth $1.07 USD. So roughly $740.00 in 2010 USD brand new.
 
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#17
Don't get me wrong, the cheap Edges aren't bad basses, for the price. I've got one right here, in fact, a fretless I used to keep at the office (back when I actually had an office). Sadly, the neck got badly sproinged with the dry air and temp fluctuations. Needs a heat treatment neck reset, I'm afraid. But it was an ok bass before. Just not a >$2000 bass is all. ;)
 
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#18
Neven said:
Where can I get a replacement tuner for my broken one? Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
I have a few. Is it a real Grover with Grover cast into the Tuner? Usually only the 4Q and 4QB had the actual Grover Tuners and the 4 had the die-cast no-name tuners.

The no-name tuners can usually be found on eBay. Schecter and LTD use that same ones.

The Grover Tuners from that time period are very hard to find. I had gotten a few from a connection I had in Indonesia, but he n longer can acquire them.
 
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#19
B-Mac said:
2009 Dean Edge 4 LH Trans Amberburst.
Made in South Korea at the World Music Factory.
Most LH Edge 4 were only available in Classic Black, so you have one that is a bit 'special'
I invite you to Dean Club!!! (always drop in here first for questions about Dean basses, ALWAYS)

Below is a page from a 2007/2008 catalog
Move the decimal one space to the left. $300. if it was an Edge 4Q or Edge 4QB it would be worth more. Only USA Deans brand new go for that amount of coin.

By the way, I'm the Dean nut job here at TB.

View attachment 5301137
View attachment 5301145
View attachment 5301154
Click to expand...
B-Mac said:
2009 Dean Edge 4 LH Trans Amberburst.
Made in South Korea at the World Music Factory.
Most LH Edge 4 were only available in Classic Black, so you have one that is a bit 'special'
I invite you to Dean Club!!! (always drop in here first for questions about Dean basses, ALWAYS)

Below is a page from a 2007/2008 catalog
Move the decimal one space to the left. $300. if it was an Edge 4Q or Edge 4QB it would be worth more. Only USA Deans brand new go for that amount of coin.

By the way, I'm the Dean nut job here at TB.

View attachment 5301137
View attachment 5301145
View attachment 5301154
Click to expand...
Thanks for this!
I now have Clarity. And yes, a tad special AND it’s a Lefty! Are Lefty basses sold for more money?
 
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#20
B-Mac said:
I have a few. Is it a real Grover with Grover cast into the Tuner? Usually only the 4Q and 4QB had the actual Grover Tuners and the 4 had the die-cast no-name tuners.

The no-name tuners can usually be found on eBay. Schecter and LTD use that same ones.
Click to expand...
I just checked and they are in fact Grover tuners. How much do they sell for and where best to buy from?
 
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