Product: Dean Guitars Edge Improv 5
Price Paid: US $650.00 used
Submitted
04/12/2004
at
11:47am
by
Mike M. (aka Amigoman) ....04/12/04
Features
:
10
It is a Dean Edge Improv 5, European Custom Select(also mine is a special version that was built for an endorsed artist of Dean Guitars). I think it was made in 2001. Was Made in the Czech Republic, from what I was told in the same factory where Euro Spectors are built.
It has gold hardware(originally it had black knobs, this is where it differs from the regular model) but I changed them to gold to match everything else.
It has Schaller tuners.
It has the single Scimitar inlay, and brass nut, nice bridge.
It has active EMG pickups with an on board Aguilar preamp.
Also it has the standard volume, blend, bass, and treble controls with the addition of a concentric mid boost and a mid sweep control.
It is awesome honey stained quilt top, solid body, neck thru, and 5 string.
It has a rosewood fretboard(pretty sure).
It is a very well put together bass...everything flows perfectly.
Came with the original hardshell case.
Sound
:
10
This bass sounds amazing...bright, punchy, and loads of growl. It has deep, rich tone and with the knobs you can really change the sound. It has unreal sustain, and great harmonics.
I play it thru an ancient Gallien Kruger 400rb and a Hartke 4.5 xl(4x10) cabinet and a old Ramsdel Audio Cabinet with 1 15 inch EV, and it sounds awesome...(live playing)
Most of the time however, I run it thru a Tech 21 Sansamp RBI, a BBE 882i, and some assorted effects in the loop(Boss, chorus, flanger, delay, and an EltroHarmonix Bassballs, and a Small stone), and straight into the mixer, then listen thru headphones...(for recording) very nice sounds cane be acheived.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
I bought this used, and it was set up great..everything was in excellent shape...quailty built..solid and a pretty heavy bass.
It had a little wear, like surface scrathes where you would pluck or slap the strings, but most of those polished right out.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
I do not forsee having any problems with this bass...it is solid, and has quailty hardware ...the finish seems like it is ready for the long haul.
I have not had to adjust it at all since I got it about a year ago. It stays in tune with only minor adjustments needed every couple of weeks or so.
Customer Support
:
9
I called Dean twice, once about this bass, I just wanted some info about it, they were pretty helpful.
The second time I called them was with a question on an acoustic bass I was interested in and they were prompt and helpful...
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing for a few years..I am not professional, but a decent player. I own a classic 83 4001 Rickenbacher, a Pedulla Thunderbolt, and Rapture, and a Hohner b2a5 headless bass, and this Dean bass kicks butt..I get a variety of sounds from the other basses(and Pedulla basses are awesome), but this Dean, there is just something about it...it ranks 10 in every way....sound, quaility, value....
If it were stolen, I could not replace it because it is one of a kind, so I would go on the hunt for the bastard and seek vengence.
Product: Dean Guitars Edge Improv 5
Price Paid: US $900 used
Submitted
06/06/2003
at
01:09pm
by
Jim Kershner
Features
:
10
Its a Dean Edge Improv 5 - European Custom Select, made in the Czech Republic.
Beautiful honey stained quilt maple top, neck-thru 5-string, gold hardware.
Volume/Blend/Bass/Treble controls.
Single "Scimitar" inlay at the 12th fret.
Brass nut.
I bought mine used with Basslines pickups and Aguilar preamp installed.
It came with a hardshell case.
Sound
:
10
This is by far the best sounding bass I have ever heard. It's just one man's opinion, but I think this bass has a better sound than a Smith, Warwick, Spector, Warrior, Lakland, or any other boutique bass. I suppose the upgraded pickups and electronics had a lot to do with that, but regardless, you could spend 5 times the money on another bass and not approach the sound quality of this instrument.
It really is too bad they don't make this model anymore. A crying shame.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Bought it used, but the action, fit, and finish were flawless. I really love the honey stain.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
As with most neck-thru designs, this bass is just built like a tank. I could depend on it for any gig with no backup.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
I never had to contact Dean for anything, so I can't rate them.
Overall Rating
:
10
The finest instrument I have ever owned or even played. If you've ever been to Martin Music, you know that they carry a ton of premier quality basses. I played this bass for 5 minutes and bought it on the spot. I run it through an Eden WT400 head and Trace Elliot 4x10 cab. Beautiful tone, plenty of growl, great for any style of music.
