"Other" guitar brands (Reverend, Dean, ESP, etc)

Geyser · October 19th, 2005, 02:25 PM

Hey all,
I'm always up for checking out new guitars and I get a lot of ideas and recommendations from this site. However, I haven't heard much about three brands in particular, ESP, Dean and Reverend. I know Dean and ESP seem to be primarily "heavy metal" guitars and that Reverend seems to get a lot of respect for their amps, but I want to know if anybody out there plays any of these brands regularly and has any opinions.

ESP has a cool Les Paul Jr/Tele hybrid guitar that I've never seen anywhere before
http://www.espguitars.com/guitars_hybrid.htm

Dean has some crazy, creative styles, but I think I'm the most interested in their "V" and "Z" series (a Flying V and an Explorer, basically).
http://www.deanguitars.com/zm_rosewood.htm
And I hate to admit that I am GASsing hard for this Michael Schenker signature V
http://www.deanguitars.com/schenker_usa.htm

And the Reverend guitars are just beautiful, and fairly affordable. Any opinions on the pickups, frets, necks, etc?

maestrovert · October 19th, 2005, 03:29 PM

a while back, i bought ESP's LTD EC-300 as a "Welcome Home from Korea" present for my youngest Brother{he's due back Stateside in late Nov.}
i've played it quite a bit, but just to get it "dialed in" set up wise, y'unnerstan

, and i'm seriously impressed !

agent2x4 · October 19th, 2005, 03:32 PM

I have an ESP J-1004 Bass, and a Jerry Jones guitar. I'd put either one up against anything out there.

There's lots of nice stuff out there once you get past the headstock bias.

MANX · October 19th, 2005, 04:09 PM

yeah I've got two, slingshot custom (3 p90s) and a rocco (humbuckers). They are the best guitars I own quality and sound wise.

If you want alot to read on these particular guitars (and amps) go to the fender forum reverend congregation:

http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.htm...-10-1913:41:35

Theres almost 10,000 posts on just reverend!

Good luck, M

Geyser · October 19th, 2005, 04:20 PM

Thanks for the input guys. Headstock bias-- ha ha, yeah that's about it. You could kill someone with one of those Dean headstocks. In the meantime, I've been scouring the net for some reviews and it sounds like the Dean V is pretty highly regarded. Now if I could just find a place to play one...

Keep the comments coming!

riggergreg · October 19th, 2005, 04:36 PM

I got a Schecter Ultra after trying quite a few different brands and styles of guitars. These have killer necks. Nice and smooth(unlike a few Gibsons I tried) and although I did swap pickups for Seymour Duncans rather than the Duncan Designed, It still cost me less than 5 bills. Some of the Blackjack series comes with SDs and are well worth a look.

BradKM · October 19th, 2005, 05:10 PM

I love Reverend guitars, but haven't buckled and bought one yet. They're definitely on the must acquire list.

I'm also fond of Deans. Almost every one that I've picked up lately have been great guitars, especially for the money. I love their necks.

No real experience with ESP. I think the Hybrid model you linked is one of the real ESP guitars, not the cheaper LTD brand. I can't recall the last time I saw one of the higher end ESPs in a store, other than the Kirk Hammet sigs...it's been years.

Geyser · October 19th, 2005, 05:29 PM

Actually Brad, that ESP Hybrid is an LTD (or so the headstock says). I found some small print on the page that shows MSRP $699 so it could probably be had for pretty cheap. Also thanks to Greg for the Schecter mention. I checked out their site and they've got some gorgeous guitars! I'm trying to get over my own headstock bias and just open my eyes and ears to some "diamonds in the rough". That Reverend section of the Fender Forum was very informative. Most of it was about their amps but there were some guitar reviews and I couldn't find one bad comment about them.

BradKM · October 19th, 2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Actually Brad, that ESP Hybrid is an LTD (or so the headstock says). I found some small print on the page that shows MSRP $699 so it could probably be had for pretty cheap.

That's cool. I hadn't seen the LTD version listed anywhere before. That model was one of the last one I remember ESP introducing before the LTDs came out. At one point it was endorsed by some rock guy...I want to say it was someone associated with Guns 'n' Roses...Gilby Clarke, Izzy Stradlin, maybe even Tracii Guns? One of those guys.

Twang · October 19th, 2005, 05:53 PM

I have the following ESP and love it.

Especially since I recently replaced the JB/Jazz pickups with some double white, uncovered custom wound HighOrderPickups.

Since I've moved I can't find the cable to my digital camera or I would post pics of mine. It's a true diamond in the rough.

CancerLeoCam · October 19th, 2005, 06:14 PM

...a 12" radius, cool body styling ala Mosrite and a great price. I played one at NAMM last Jan. and I thought it was very fly.

BradKM · October 19th, 2005, 06:28 PM

I was really impressed when I gave one of these a spin a few weeks ago:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=650C

The quality to price ratio on these is simply unbelievable, and it's not something you're going to see on the rack at every GC or Sam Ash.

sneakyjapan · October 19th, 2005, 08:15 PM

ESP made a version of the Hybrid several years ago and it went out of production, guess they brought it back as part of the LTD line. They have been making the Edwards line for some time, a step down from the ESPs but made by the same company in Japan, and the most recent series feature Duncan p`ups and are very popular among players on other boards... they make strats, teles Les Pauls, among other models...I own a few and really like them. I also have an ESP Eclipse semi hollow Les paul type and an artist madel called the Koji Kikkawa and it`s based on the Merle Travis Bigsby guitar. ESPs are real nice and they make the Navigatior line as well as the Proceed line, the Edwards and a series called Progauge... MIKs, and finally they make the Grassroots, which is their low end line MIC.
They did make the Seymour Duncan guitars here but theres a story that they are out of production, too bad but I was able to buy one from each of their series and they would certainly make Leo proud. They out Fender Fender.

Sarge · October 20th, 2005, 07:51 AM

Never had a Dean or ESP but I can tell you that Reverend makes a great guitar. I have the SlingShot with 2 P 90's. The neck is the older EastPoint and IS the most comfortable and nicest neck I've ever played in my 50 years. I would like that neck on EVERY guitar I own. The guitar is a gem played clean and a tonal monster when over driven. Yes, Reverend is one of the music worlds best kept secrets. Take one on a test drive through a decent amp and you will be amazed. The tone acheived through that phenolic materials is a masterpeice....and Joe's customer service is second to none. On his website he has a discount section for guitars and amps, while I've never tryed his amps, if they are anything like his guitars.......well I can't say enough.

telewacked · October 20th, 2005, 08:25 AM

My Rocco has been my main axe for the last 5-6 years. It's versatile, light, looks cool, feels and plays good, and most importantly, is sounds great! I've got a couple of Teles, a strat, an Ibanez hollow body and had a Les Paul, and I always come back to playing the Rev. The single coil neck pu tone on the guitar is a beautiful thing. My Rocco is also an Eastpointe model, and like Sarge's Slingshot, the neck is truly wonderful.

MANX · October 20th, 2005, 09:15 AM

me & the reverend (slingshot custom + hellhound)

hope this works....
http://www.bio.mtu.edu/~malabeau/

dhdfoster · October 20th, 2005, 10:04 AM

I have never owned or played a Reverend, but I have thought about buying one at times. I have to say, I've never seen another brand with so much enthusiastic praise from its owners.

Well, maybe except for Guilds or um..oh yeah...Fender Telecasters.

Geyser · October 20th, 2005, 10:19 AM

Nice pics, Manx. Those Reverends are gorgeous and I have yet to read a negative review on any aspect of them (neck, frets, electronics, even their stock pickups get great reviews). Even the Korean models are supposedly awesome. They've all got that Jaguar/Ibanez Talman shape and have some great colors. I am tempted to buy one directly from their website (there are no Reverend dealers in MN). I'm sure I wouldn't be disappointed.

So let's see, I'm gonna get a Dean Flying V, a Reverend Charger HB, a Schecter Ultra and an ESP Hybrid. I better throw in a new Orange half-stack and some new Electro-Harmonix pedals. I'm sure the wife won't mind...

FUMoney · October 20th, 2005, 02:53 PM

I've been lusting after the Robin Avalon. If it plays and sounds as good as it looks it's a winner.

Ed

Geyser · October 20th, 2005, 03:05 PM

Those Robin guitars are sweet. I'd never heard of them before. Their Teles look pretty nice. Dang it, add another one to the GAS list. Thanks for the idea.

http://www.robinguitars.com/rawhide_hollow.html

tdu · October 20th, 2005, 07:26 PM

I can't tell you a ton about new Deans but I own a 1981 Dean E'Lite Deluxe and it is one of the nicest guitars I have ever played. Every aspect of it from the finish to the electronics to the pickups are of the highest quality. Obviously the look of them isn't for everyone though :). I got mine for $500 used, but that was about 10 years ago and it's a little tougher to find deals like that now.

When it comes to the new ones I have only seen the Korean models in stores and not any of the USA ones. The Korean ones look very nice for the price and I hear they are very good guitars. I saw a guy in a band playing one of the USA "Time Capsule" Z's though and it looked sounded AMAZING.

Colo Springs E · October 20th, 2005, 08:36 PM

.....Godin. Really nice guitars made in US of parts "hand-crafted" in Canada. Nice axes, low dollars.

-Eric

valleyartsman · October 21st, 2005, 12:28 AM

valley arts makes awsome guitars. they can custom build any style of guitar you want.

ramblinmike · October 21st, 2005, 02:09 AM

dont know about any of them except for ESP and LTDs. the only experience i've had with LTD was some of their cheap metal guitars. i'd say avoid those at all costs. ESP on the other hand seems to make some beautiful guitars for any sort of music. i've only seen them in japan though. and they had a hefty price tag. but the ones i played were amazing. they had a tele-ish guitar (2 single coil and everything) that was just beautiful. i didn't try it though. was too busy playing the fender japans LOL. those edwards do look beautiful too. supposivly have lacquer finishes too along with their Seymour Duncan pickups, and all at amazing prices.

tdu · October 21st, 2005, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colo Springs E

.....Godin. Really nice guitars made in US of parts "hand-crafted" in Canada. Nice axes, low dollars.

-Eric

Ah ya here is my Godin hah. Another fantastic brand, A whole lotta quality for a reaasonable price. It's a real shame these guitars aren't more well known. I was pleasantly suprised to hear a few forum members here own them

Godin LGSP90.

RevMike · October 21st, 2005, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riggergreg

I got a Schecter Ultra after trying quite a few different brands and styles of guitars. These have killer necks. Nice and smooth(unlike a few Gibsons I tried) and although I did swap pickups for Seymour Duncans rather than the Duncan Designed, It still cost me less than 5 bills. Some of the Blackjack series comes with SDs and are well worth a look.

October 19th, 2005, 02:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Geyser Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 291	"Other" guitar brands (Reverend, Dean, ESP, etc) Hey all, I'm always up for checking out new guitars and I get a lot of ideas and recommendations from this site. However, I haven't heard much about three brands in particular, ESP, Dean and Reverend. I know Dean and ESP seem to be primarily "heavy metal" guitars and that Reverend seems to get a lot of respect for their amps, but I want to know if anybody out there plays any of these brands regularly and has any opinions. ESP has a cool Les Paul Jr/Tele hybrid guitar that I've never seen anywhere before http://www.espguitars.com/guitars_hybrid.htm Dean has some crazy, creative styles, but I think I'm the most interested in their "V" and "Z" series (a Flying V and an Explorer, basically). http://www.deanguitars.com/zm_rosewood.htm And I hate to admit that I am GASsing hard for this Michael Schenker signature V http://www.deanguitars.com/schenker_usa.htm And the Reverend guitars are just beautiful, and fairly affordable. Any opinions on the pickups, frets, necks, etc?

October 19th, 2005, 03:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,005	a while back, i bought ESP's LTD EC-300 as a "Welcome Home from Korea" present for my youngest Brother{he's due back Stateside in late Nov.} i've played it quite a bit, but just to get it "dialed in" set up wise, y'unnerstan , and i'm seriously impressed ! __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

October 19th, 2005, 04:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
MANX TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Keweenaw, Upper Peninsula MI Posts: 98 4 Photos	Reverend yeah I've got two, slingshot custom (3 p90s) and a rocco (humbuckers). They are the best guitars I own quality and sound wise. If you want alot to read on these particular guitars (and amps) go to the fender forum reverend congregation: http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.htm...-10-1913:41:35 Theres almost 10,000 posts on just reverend! Good luck, M

October 19th, 2005, 04:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
riggergreg Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lebanon, Ohio Age: 51 Posts: 1,000 32 Photos	Try out Schecter.. I got a Schecter Ultra after trying quite a few different brands and styles of guitars. These have killer necks. Nice and smooth(unlike a few Gibsons I tried) and although I did swap pickups for Seymour Duncans rather than the Duncan Designed, It still cost me less than 5 bills. Some of the Blackjack series comes with SDs and are well worth a look.

October 19th, 2005, 06:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
CancerLeoCam Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mule Deer-Mt. Lion Safari, CA Posts: 1,651 5 Photos	try a DiPinto Mach IV... ...a 12" radius, cool body styling ala Mosrite and a great price. I played one at NAMM last Jan. and I thought it was very fly. __________________ Everyone's your buddy when they want you or something from you. If you're not willing to work for free why should somebody else?

October 19th, 2005, 03:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
agent2x4 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: WI Posts: 608	I have an ESP J-1004 Bass, and a Jerry Jones guitar. I'd put either one up against anything out there. There's lots of nice stuff out there once you get past the headstock bias.

October 19th, 2005, 04:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Geyser Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 291	Thanks for the input guys. Headstock bias-- ha ha, yeah that's about it. You could kill someone with one of those Dean headstocks. In the meantime, I've been scouring the net for some reviews and it sounds like the Dean V is pretty highly regarded. Now if I could just find a place to play one... Keep the comments coming!

October 19th, 2005, 05:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
BradKM Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 403	I love Reverend guitars, but haven't buckled and bought one yet. They're definitely on the must acquire list. I'm also fond of Deans. Almost every one that I've picked up lately have been great guitars, especially for the money. I love their necks. No real experience with ESP. I think the Hybrid model you linked is one of the real ESP guitars, not the cheaper LTD brand. I can't recall the last time I saw one of the higher end ESPs in a store, other than the Kirk Hammet sigs...it's been years.

October 19th, 2005, 05:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Geyser Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 291	Actually Brad, that ESP Hybrid is an LTD (or so the headstock says). I found some small print on the page that shows MSRP $699 so it could probably be had for pretty cheap. Also thanks to Greg for the Schecter mention. I checked out their site and they've got some gorgeous guitars! I'm trying to get over my own headstock bias and just open my eyes and ears to some "diamonds in the rough". That Reverend section of the Fender Forum was very informative. Most of it was about their amps but there were some guitar reviews and I couldn't find one bad comment about them.

October 19th, 2005, 05:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
Twang Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Age: 44 Posts: 636	I have the following ESP and love it. Especially since I recently replaced the JB/Jazz pickups with some double white, uncovered custom wound HighOrderPickups. Since I've moved I can't find the cable to my digital camera or I would post pics of mine. It's a true diamond in the rough.

October 19th, 2005, 06:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
BradKM Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 403	I was really impressed when I gave one of these a spin a few weeks ago: http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=650C The quality to price ratio on these is simply unbelievable, and it's not something you're going to see on the rack at every GC or Sam Ash.

October 19th, 2005, 08:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,347 3 Photos	ESP made a version of the Hybrid several years ago and it went out of production, guess they brought it back as part of the LTD line. They have been making the Edwards line for some time, a step down from the ESPs but made by the same company in Japan, and the most recent series feature Duncan p`ups and are very popular among players on other boards... they make strats, teles Les Pauls, among other models...I own a few and really like them. I also have an ESP Eclipse semi hollow Les paul type and an artist madel called the Koji Kikkawa and it`s based on the Merle Travis Bigsby guitar. ESPs are real nice and they make the Navigatior line as well as the Proceed line, the Edwards and a series called Progauge... MIKs, and finally they make the Grassroots, which is their low end line MIC. They did make the Seymour Duncan guitars here but theres a story that they are out of production, too bad but I was able to buy one from each of their series and they would certainly make Leo proud. They out Fender Fender. __________________ quasi mojo

October 20th, 2005, 07:51 AM	#14 (permalink)
Sarge Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pgh,Pa Age: 53 Posts: 3,549	Never had a Dean or ESP but I can tell you that Reverend makes a great guitar. I have the SlingShot with 2 P 90's. The neck is the older EastPoint and IS the most comfortable and nicest neck I've ever played in my 50 years. I would like that neck on EVERY guitar I own. The guitar is a gem played clean and a tonal monster when over driven. Yes, Reverend is one of the music worlds best kept secrets. Take one on a test drive through a decent amp and you will be amazed. The tone acheived through that phenolic materials is a masterpeice....and Joe's customer service is second to none. On his website he has a discount section for guitars and amps, while I've never tryed his amps, if they are anything like his guitars.......well I can't say enough.

October 20th, 2005, 08:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
telewacked Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 243 11 Photos	Reverend all the way My Rocco has been my main axe for the last 5-6 years. It's versatile, light, looks cool, feels and plays good, and most importantly, is sounds great! I've got a couple of Teles, a strat, an Ibanez hollow body and had a Les Paul, and I always come back to playing the Rev. The single coil neck pu tone on the guitar is a beautiful thing. My Rocco is also an Eastpointe model, and like Sarge's Slingshot, the neck is truly wonderful.

October 20th, 2005, 09:15 AM	#16 (permalink)
MANX TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Keweenaw, Upper Peninsula MI Posts: 98 4 Photos	Heres some pics me & the reverend (slingshot custom + hellhound) hope this works.... http://www.bio.mtu.edu/~malabeau/

October 20th, 2005, 10:04 AM	#17 (permalink)
dhdfoster Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA Age: 40 Posts: 945	I have never owned or played a Reverend, but I have thought about buying one at times. I have to say, I've never seen another brand with so much enthusiastic praise from its owners. Well, maybe except for Guilds or um..oh yeah...Fender Telecasters.

October 20th, 2005, 10:19 AM	#18 (permalink)
Geyser Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 291	Nice pics, Manx. Those Reverends are gorgeous and I have yet to read a negative review on any aspect of them (neck, frets, electronics, even their stock pickups get great reviews). Even the Korean models are supposedly awesome. They've all got that Jaguar/Ibanez Talman shape and have some great colors. I am tempted to buy one directly from their website (there are no Reverend dealers in MN). I'm sure I wouldn't be disappointed. So let's see, I'm gonna get a Dean Flying V, a Reverend Charger HB, a Schecter Ultra and an ESP Hybrid. I better throw in a new Orange half-stack and some new Electro-Harmonix pedals. I'm sure the wife won't mind...

October 20th, 2005, 02:53 PM	#19 (permalink)
FUMoney Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cape May,NJ Posts: 255	I've been lusting after the Robin Avalon. If it plays and sounds as good as it looks it's a winner. Ed

October 20th, 2005, 03:05 PM	#20 (permalink)
Geyser Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 291	Those Robin guitars are sweet. I'd never heard of them before. Their Teles look pretty nice. Dang it, add another one to the GAS list. Thanks for the idea. http://www.robinguitars.com/rawhide_hollow.html

October 20th, 2005, 07:26 PM	#21 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,399 9 Photos	I can't tell you a ton about new Deans but I own a 1981 Dean E'Lite Deluxe and it is one of the nicest guitars I have ever played. Every aspect of it from the finish to the electronics to the pickups are of the highest quality. Obviously the look of them isn't for everyone though :). I got mine for $500 used, but that was about 10 years ago and it's a little tougher to find deals like that now. When it comes to the new ones I have only seen the Korean models in stores and not any of the USA ones. The Korean ones look very nice for the price and I hear they are very good guitars. I saw a guy in a band playing one of the USA "Time Capsule" Z's though and it looked sounded AMAZING. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

October 20th, 2005, 08:36 PM	#22 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 5,030 5 Photos	Don't overlook... .....Godin. Really nice guitars made in US of parts "hand-crafted" in Canada. Nice axes, low dollars. -Eric __________________ She's been a bad girl. She's like a chemical. Though you try to stop it, she's like a narcotic.

October 21st, 2005, 12:28 AM	#23 (permalink)
valleyartsman Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: texas Posts: 231	valley arts makes awsome guitars. they can custom build any style of guitar you want.

October 21st, 2005, 02:09 AM	#24 (permalink)
ramblinmike Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Long Island NY Age: 22 Posts: 924	dont know about any of them except for ESP and LTDs. the only experience i've had with LTD was some of their cheap metal guitars. i'd say avoid those at all costs. ESP on the other hand seems to make some beautiful guitars for any sort of music. i've only seen them in japan though. and they had a hefty price tag. but the ones i played were amazing. they had a tele-ish guitar (2 single coil and everything) that was just beautiful. i didn't try it though. was too busy playing the fender japans LOL. those edwards do look beautiful too. supposivly have lacquer finishes too along with their Seymour Duncan pickups, and all at amazing prices.