Dean Guitars Cadillac 1980 3PU

Korean made, 2007, 22 Frets, solid mahogany flat top, 3 humbucking pickups, 3 way switch, Gold parts, Grover Tuners. Multi ply binding. neck-thru body design. Distinctive Dean 'V' shape headstock. Black color with white binding. A great looking rock stage machine.

Used for rock, pop, funk, alt rock, metal, and I've even played jazz with it.

Used primarily with a Marshall TSL 100 & Randall cab with Celestion speakers.

A full, ballsy humbucking sound, though not as full as some 3rd party pickups (Duncan, Dimarzio etc. An interesting sound on the middle pickup - with a little top end, It'll twang a bit like a Strat. I think it may be how it's wired with the bridge pickup.

Factory set up was average. Once I got my brand and guage of strings on it, I adjusted the action to suit me. The fret dressing was very good. The nut was surprisingly inconsistent - I re-filed the slots to bend the strings less - more of a natural path to the tuners. I cut the slots to fit my string guage.

This is a striking guitar - the finish is fantastic. It's taken a few hits, and no major dings as yet.

The pickup switch was a bit intermittent at first. I applied some teflon electronics lube, and not an issue since. Keep an eye on the jack plate - the nut can come loose sometimes.

The tailpiece you need to pay atention to. I seldom break strings, and one broke in the earlygoing due to how the hoop and ball end were seated in the tailpiece slot. When I change strings, I arrange the ball-end so the string hoops see no sharp edges in the slot.

I've had this guitar for a year and a half, and the gold is wearing off the pickup covers - not sure on premium guitars what the rate of wear should be.

The location of the strap button behind the neck pocket makes high fret access a little clumsy. I may move the button's location.

I've dumped about 4 gallons of sweat on this baby - played hard. As long as the strings are keps reasonably fresh, the tuning is consistent. The finish is very forgiving, aside from the pickup's gold plating. I've used Schaller strap locks since 1987, and have a set for this guitar. The stock buttons are too small to keep the strap on at the neck with active stage work.

While I've never had to deal with Dean's support, the online community forum is very brotherly and supportive. Dean representatives appear on there from time to time. Never needed to excercise the warranty.

While this guitar may have been rated lower in some categories, I enjoy playing this guitar - it was a guitar style I've wanted for a long time, and the Korean Deans make a good guitar more affordable.