Dean Guitars Edge 09 Bass

New in Sept 2008, 34" scale, 22 frets, 1 soapbar passive (2-1/4" from fretboard), 1-9/16" nut, 4 string, 1 tone, 1 volume, starter or practice bass (I use an Epiphone Thunderbird normally). You can't go wrong with this bass for the money.

The lows come out more agressively than the highs because the pickup is near the fretboard. Sounds very good on my Behringer 1200 and on a friend's Fender Rumbler 100. I am going to restring it with Markley Blue Steel Mediums and see how much it improves.

I had to raise the saddles almost to the max to eliminate fret buzz on the G&D, half way on the other two. Intonation on G won't dial in like the other 3 strings. I think it is because the bridge probably cost $5 to manufacture. It will get you by. I will replace it when I get time with a better one.

Good looking guitar. Like my buddy MLB said, "Nice piece of wood". I think he is a little jealous. I would use it on a gig for select songs. I'd use a dual pickup bass for others. The finish is such that I think it will develop a nice used look over time. Good balance, not neck heavy. Jury is out on that bridge though.

Dean has not been helpful when I emailed them to recommend a stronger pickup.

Overall, it is better than I expected for the price. I wish it had a better built bridge. I chose this bass for its looks, it has a certain simplicity yet appealing. When I felt the balance I liked it even more. I like the ease of playing this bass because of it's narrow fretboard. My fingers do not get tired when playing it. I will buy another better bass but plan to keep this one also.

Made in 2006
24 frets, 4 strings
Solid body
One volume, one tone
One soapbar pickup, not sure of make/mfr.
Passive
Body is Mahogany, not a single piece
Neck is Maple
Satin finish (body and neck)
Body style is the Dean 'Edge' style
Bridge is top-loading, chromed stamped steel
Tuners are Gotoh-style, sealed
Long scale, with a nice taper out to the the nut, like a J-Bass

The tone is akin to a P-Bass, but with less highs in it. Has that P-Bass 'quack'
It suits the bluesier side of my musical styles, but not really much else.
I generally don't use effects on bass, unless it's just a little chorus, and so can't comment much on that.
I have a small 'Rogue' 50W amp at home, and for use as a stage monitor; generally play thru the house system.
Decent tone as described above, but the pickup is kinda weak and has to be set very close to the strings for good tone/volume
With only one pickup, there's not alot of tonal variety. A one-trick pony.

Factory set-up was a little high-actioned for me, so I tweaked it a bit, and raised the pickup a tad. Intonation was spot-on from factory.
I have yet to notice any flaws in the instrument. Not even loose pots as found in most cheaper instruments. The satin finish is lovely, and well-applied. The body appears to have had a brown stain applied before the clear satin, as it appears darker than natural Mahogany. But it looks really nice in an understated sort of way.
All the parts seem to fit very well. The neck/pocket fit are extraordinary for a bass at this price. It feels very, very solid, and give great sustain.

This bass would definitely hold up in live performance situations. The hardware seems solid and durable, and the body and finish appear robust. Strap buttons are apparently very solid, but I haven't really given them a proper test.
I would definitely not cavil at using this bass onstage, and would use it anywhere, even without a backup. It feels really stout and solid to me.

5 year warrranty, which I've not had to invoke yet, nor have I had to deal with Dean in any way (yet)

I've been okaying bass for 25 years, and have a coupls of other 'Frankenbasses' that I've put together and de-fretted. This Dean is my only fretted bass at present.
I might not replace it exactly if lost or stolen, probably in lieu of the two-pickup Dean 'Edge' model.
I love the neck on this bass. It has a taper to a narrow nut much like a J-Bass, which suits my smallish hands well. I alos love the finish. I really didn't do any comparison, as I bought it online based its price and brand-name recognition. I really just wanted a fretted bass to go complement my fretless ones. I do wish it had either another pickup, or for the one it has to be located about 2" to 2 1/2" nearer the bridge, for better attack and 'punch'.