Dillion Birds in Flight Model

I have a vintage sunburst finish tremelo model (which I blocked), with birds. One volume, One tone. Two humbuckers and a three way switch. Tuner appear to be of Grover descent. This is a 24 fret model patterned after the PRS.

As for the question about how many of these were made. I did ask Mr. Dillion, and here is his response:

Hello Jerry,It is hard for me to remember but I made the DRS500 between the years 1999 and 2002 in very small quantities.If I had to guess I would say there were approx. 50-100 pieces made.

Thanks,
John Dillion

I have played the similar PRS model and can not find a rationale for spending 5X+ the money

The sound is good with the stock pickups, but better with the spare Gibson Humbuckers I installed.

A person could easily change out the pickup with some four wire Seymour-Duncans release the block on the exisitng rotary switch and wire it like the PRS using the diagram available from the Duncan website. The switch in the Dillion is a five way, that has a block that can be bent up to access all five settings.

I blocked the tremelo on mine and adjusted the neck slightly and the action is excellent. As good as any I have seen. Intonation can be adjusted dead on. The guitar is well balance and plays like a dream.

This guitar is tough enough for any use. As with many of the Korea imports time will tell if the pots will hold up, but so far no problem. I have fitted mine with sraploks. I have five guitars, but would be confident in using this without a backup since the tremelo is blocked and want detune if I break a string.

Never need any for mine, but I have emailed John Dillion a couple of times and have never waited more than a day for a personal response.

I have been playing for 30+ years. I have a Les Paul Custom (Black Beauty), a Schecter C-1 E/A, this Dillion DRS500, a Les Paul 12 string Epiphone, and a Epiphone PR-5 Acoustic Electric. This is one of my favorite guitars and fun to play. I would not part with it due to limited number made. The price is the first attraction. Then if you want to put a few more dollars into it you will have a guitar for thousands less that will play like the PRS.

I just want to leave a small message here about these guitars. Every review you read is true as far as sound quality, craftmanship, electronics (except the pickups), and playability. This guitar does feel and sound great. I do have the sunburst tiger finish with the "birds in flight". However, from my calculations from this page. There are more than 4 made. Look closely on here:

-C.Wang (2005)
-Ryan (2003)
-Jeff (2002)
-Wes (2002)
-Marty (2001)
-Mike (2002)
-Scott(myself/2005)

So that's 7 right here. Maybe no more than 10 have been made?? Someone should ask Mr. Dillion about this.

Creed, Metallica, Chevel, Pumpkins, Pantera, Guns,...etc. Any rock sound it'll do. Metal too, punk, .....I even put a Seymour Duncan Dimebucker in it and it screams...Be jealous because you should...I actually like Dillions better than PRS.

....

....

.....I would like to know from John Dillion how many of these are made to clear up this issue...

playing since 1994
-My rig: Mesa head,marshall cab, GCX ground control, boss pedals, dimebag wah....

I wish you all could have one......Ha!!!

I read many reviews of Dillion, PRS, other copies, etc. before I found my guitar, which has a beautiful blue quilted maple (veneer/simulated?) top with the Birds in Flight. It's exactly what I wanted, and I didn't feel like i was just "settling." I noticed the last reviews of this Dillion were two/three years ago, so I wanted to provide a current one. I guess if four guitars got out, I'm accounting for guitar #3.

I found this one off of ebay, and as soon as I got it out of the shipping box, I gave the body a solid tap. The resonance of the wood was incredible. I then tested it by playing it with no amplification as I do with all guitars to test out the wood. The guitar really matched up to many of the custom shop guitars I've tested out. I even, for kicks, took out my friend's pre-1994 PRS and did the same test. Even he, a complete guitar snob, was amazed I was able to get such a great sounding guitar for the price I paid (450 including shipping).
I play anything from Johnny Smith, Chet Atkins, Pink Floyd solos to Morrissey/The Smiths, Elliott Smith, Garth Brooks, etc. I do also have an acoustic and classical guitar, but it's fun to swing between styles. I can come "close enough" to all of the different tones. The one I have trouble with most is the telecaster sound though. I am completely replacing the electronics and pickups though, and there's no doubt in my mind that the quality of the build materials (other than the electronics) is good enough to warrant the investment of a swtich to Seymour Duncan Alnico II in the neck, JB in the bridge, replacement of the tone pot with a push pull 250K (get the strat/tele sound in up position), replacement of the volument with a push pull 500K tone pot to get a single coil neck, and replacement of the three way rotary with a 3 way toggle switch. So, yeah...I'm pretty hardcore/anal retentive, and people tell me just to get a better guitar...but i honestly feel this guitar justifies the upgrade. After the upgrade, I have no doubt I'd give the sound a 10 rating.

I tried out a number of PRS copies before deciding on this one. I almost bought the new Dillion, the DR1500QT, but the neck's action just wasn't as...it was more "chunky" than this one. The body of this guitar doesn't isn't as highly figured, but i'd take the incredible neck over recessed controls any day. The one complain I do have is that some areas of the guitar (though mostly in areas you can't see) have an unever finish. There's one portion of thicker finish on the neck near where the neck meets the body. The plaining visible areas on the guitar are finished very well though.

This guitar is solid. I'm not sure what people complain about with the tuners. It holds tune pretty well even after I bend 1 1/2 steps for some Gilbert solos. I'd suggest the people who have problems with their tuners to check their tuners' screws. Maybe they're just loose?
The most visible difference between the Dillion tremolo and the PRS one is the tremolo hardware. It's much more chunky than the PRS. I'll put that on my modifications project list.

I think I might have had a misunderstanding with Dillion or something. I contacted him after reading about how responsive he was in the reviews. I was looking for a particular color blue, and from the company website and auction photos, the colors changed drastically. I asked him if that was a factory issue or a photograph issue, and he never responded. I e-mail with questions from another screenname (that also sounded less ethnic) and he answered very quickly. I'm not sure what to make of this interaction.

I've been playing for 8 years now. I read up and tried out a lot of guitars for almost a year before getting this one, and I honestly believe I couldn't have made a better informed choice.

I am not too sure of the year this one was made in, but it is beautifull. Transparent red on quilt maple top, birds in flight, Stunning to look at, and a beauty to hold in your hands.

I like this guitar a lot, but I found the stock pickups to be very unbalanced. I like the pickups to sound like they match, but these ones don't. I have put in some Carvin H22 Series pickups, and the sound has just come alive. It is great. I just plug it right in to my amp, and I don't use any effects. I play rock, and some metal, and it suites me just fine.

Nothing is perfect, but this guitar is very close. Bookmatch on the top is flawless, but I am not sure if it is real quilted maple. I can't comment on the factory setup, but I did a proper setup myself, and now it plays better than some real PRS guitars that I have played.

I had to glue the strap buttons in. I am not sure if that is caused by abuse from the previous owner or not, but now no problems.

E-mailed them, and got a response the very next day.

I got a great deal on it. There is no place in Edmonton that sells them. I got a steal of a deal at $325 Used. I was looking at a PRS Santana SE that the sales guy was trying to sell me, then I saw this guitar sitting in the back in the used guitar section, and it just called to me. After playing it for a few minutes I decided I would buy it, and upgrade teh pickups. And I am glad I did.

Just a side note. I have read that there is a limited number of these guitars produced, and just to add to that when I replaced my pickups under the neck pickup, under the finish on the neck joint is the number 3 about 2" tall. I have heard that only a handfull of these got out before PRS ordered them to stop.

Not sure about the year it was made
24 Frets easy access to all
The controls are 1volume 1 tone 1 3way switch H/H stock
high power great sustain
the only thing is the trem. it kinda drags a little
the first time I used it I had to retune could be because
it's new haven't had it long

Our band just played a festival in Monroe La. on the 4th of July
the worst conditions heat,open air, on the back of trailers
(Rock/metal) the sound punched through on my 50watt CrateVC212
I get harmonics nat.& unnat. that are superb it will squeal for me and I love it

The action is so close you can breathe on it and good sound
No flaws that I've noticed yet
The nut seems to pinch a little the input jack was loose when I got it
No Problem

Like i said before we played in high heat& Humidity and it held up
I would depend on it but I would never go on without a back up
you never know what could happen
I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Law

I Emailed the company and was replied to promtly & nicest of all my responses

I've been Playing for about 25 years
I own two Les Pauls ,A ESP Mirage Deluxe(80's model)
to many to mention and this is my primary Guitar now
I use My Les Paul for different tunings and as back up
I'm planning to purchase another in the near future

I really think Dillion did a good copy of the PRS. The finish is without a without a doubt, first rate. A nice neck with good action right out of the box. The only negitive I can see are the tuners. They look good but aren't good quality. The fret board is stunning with the birds in flight.

I play Christian rock and I can get a rich, full sound running through my Fender amp.

My Birds in flight landed at my house in flawless condition. Great action, set up well. I had it checked out and to my surprise it was eally close, on the set up.

I would trust this rig, but only a fool would go without a back up.

This is my first Dillion, we'll see.

Well I've been playing for forty years and all I can add to this is, the name at the top of the guitar doesn't make the sound, it comes from the heart.

I already reviewed this under the name Marty (there are only two reviews and four guitars),just wanted to update rewinding the pickups.It really made a differance.

The stock pickups although I gave them a good review were really underpowered.They measured out at 6.87k bridge and 7.02k.Notice that they are reversed done by the manufacturer,the hotter one should be in the bridge position and I now know they are ceramic magnets.I just wanted review the Dillion again after rewinding the PU's.I took them out and sent them to SK guitar specialties.They were rewound to 10.48K neck and 12.06k bridge,DAM what a differance.I thought I liked the sound before but now the power and responce is unbelievable.Just by rewinding the origional Dillion pickups this guitar now is beyond a stock PRS.

Still love the finnish and the bird inlays.These pickups are really quiet.

Still good,holding up great.I keep it in pristine condition,wipeing it down after I play it.I put on straplocks just to make sure it stays in one piece.

None needed.

I just wanted to update what I think is a new guitar after changing the pickups.As I said the power and sensitivity are,if you are not carefull overwelming.The only other differance is by overwinding these I lost a little of the high end.The guitar is a little darker which is what I like so a bonus for me.I guess I realized I wanted this guitar hotter after playing a guitar with the Zakk Wylde emg's in it and my Gothic Explorer has Gibsons most powerfull pu's in it the 500t and 498k.One more quick thing if the other reviewer here Mike McCorry could contact me I would like to see what you know about this Dillion.I tried to e-mail you but your address Spam proof.Thanks everyone for reading this.Marty...

I don;t know what year this model is, as it has been said that only four were made. If so, then two of them are accounted for here that means two to go. I will not resay what has already been said except as far as features go..however, I have not rendered a verdic on the pickup selector speed knob..I am used to switches, but this may work out...this guitar is the exact same guitar as reviewed below..ash body,rosewood over maple I think...set neck, P-90's-great stock pickups-one volume, one tone..etc..just enough to do the job..

The sound is great...played thru my bassman, or bluesbreaker or Rivera Rake reverb...I play classic rock-blues-country and whatever else strikes me at the time..this guitar does it really well..smooth, yet capable of taking a BIG bite when needed...tone controls are very active and yet can be subtle as well..I think this guitar could do just about anything except death metal...

I have the Dillion Les Paul Gold Top and this McCarty copy and the fit, finish and action, fret work and finish are second to none..thats all that has to be said..beautyful...

The guitar seems very solid and well constructed...should last a long time, I would play it anywhere without hesitation..

I have spoken with John Dillion himself several times, not his real name by the way,,,very helpful and straightforward..if customer support was ever needed, I believe he would be more than willing to help..2 year warranty I believe

I have been doing this for 35 years, had 'em all..some before they were famous!..I currently have-strat-tele-and these two Dillions...the fenders are currently in retirement..I play the Dillions all the time...they bring back the "fun" of playing...it is really possible to get a great guitar at a great price..I know this may sound crazy but I have let my friends who own the real things play these and they say the Dillions not only look better and sound better but "feel" better as well..I would put the GT Les Paul against any gibson currently made.. and the McCarty, while it may not be as "perfect" as a "real" PRS...it is as close as I need to be....If I have learned one thing over the years its not what name is on the guitar its what is does for you and how it helps you express yourself thru your playing..in this area the Dillion line is at the top of the heap..I predict that these guitars will be the "Ibanez Artists" of the 70's in annother 10 years and the prices will skyrocket..I will sack a few away just for this purpose, in the mean time I will play them every chance I get..they really are that good..I would like to know if it is true that only four of these McCarty's were made. If anyone has any info on that, please let me know....

Canadian model solid ash body P90 pickups one volume and one tone with a speed knob for the pickup selector. Rosewood fretboard with mother of pearl bird inlays exactly like a PRS, even the headstock is exact to the PR you know what.This is the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen an exact and I mean exact copy of a PR you know Mccarty soapbar( sorry I cant say PRS I got this off E-Bay and if I say to much the PRS boys will be knocking at my door and take my guitar away). Supposidly one of only four made ,

Never thought I would like singly coils but these P-90s are just great real raspy and pretty powerful for single coils. Not much noise either put my strat pickups to shame. These pickups go from distorted to clean and full very easily tons of presence. Im using a Fender hot rod deluxe or a Marshall micro stack and sometimes use my pod on the front end.So far it handles any style I throw at it.Sorry humbuckers I think I may be a P90 convert.

Beautiful top very figured for ash. Set up pretty well I just set it to my preferances and changed the strings to 10s.The bird inlays are just beautiful as I said you cant tell the differance from a PRs

Seems solid enough, nice hardware and I will have to put straplocks on it. If I still played out I would use this a lot.

Got from E-BAY before Prs could take it off, . The people I dealt with were very nice and answered all my questions.

I have ben playing for about 30 years owned oh my god a lot of guitars some I wish I could get back my (35th aniversery Les Paul for instance). This is an exact copy of a PRs Mccarty soapbar with the bird inlays and a cherry sunbirst ash body, great sound from the ash body.I still own around 15 guitars including two les pauls and explorer gothic a tele a strat even a parker but all I play lately is this Dillion.I wish I could find another one I would buy it instantly But I was told only four were made.I do still want a real PRS, alright because of the name and prestige but I do really love this Dillion.