NGD

[Rocktuna]

I spotted this bad boy in a little shop about an hour and a half from home about a year ago. Been checking up on it on the net every once and a while. Dropped by a couple weeks ago and checked it out in person again. I've been obsessed ever since. Finally had enough money so I went in today and bought it.

I'm not really a fan of Dean guitar designs, I don't go for the metal shapes and can't stand the Hardtails but I love Cadillacs. I think I've loved them since I first saw a pic of Elliot Easton playing one.

I've had a Korean and a Czech before. This ones a USA

I'm a Peavey Wolfgangaholic so the HUGE neck is a real change, but it plays so comfortably and sounds amazing. Pups have been changed to Dimarzio PAFs. I want to put gold hardware on it. Did I mention the neck is ENORMOUS. It's so big it has it's own zip code. I've played Les Pauls with big necks and always hated them but this one fits my tiny dick beaters perfect.

Balances perfect. Ebony board no fretwear, even the back has a nice grain to it. Not much to add cause it's so clean. Emerald green flame top looks much better than in the picture

Not a mark on it, could be sold for new.

Oh and the best part. When I first played it a year ago the dealer said he didn't know where it was manufactured but it was high quality so he figured Korea or Japan. I had my suspicions of its origin and checked into it myself and found out it's a USA model.

I payed just slightly over HFC approved price.

Some quickie pics here, not the best lighting in the bedroom.

[Bloozguy]

Awesome!

I've always loved the "Les Paul on LSD" look of the Cadillacs. Probably the same as you...since I first saw Elliott Easton with one

[specialk]

Gorgeous!

Congrats on the great score. Love the green.

[veatch]

Very cool. Let me know if you can't bond with it. The only reason i'm selling my Czech Caddy is the thinner neck.

V-V-T-T is still the best control layout for a dual humbucker, IMHO...

[Hackubus]

Yowza. I'd hit that.

[jisham]

Nice score.

[Ted]

Very Cool, Cadillac Cool!

[murkat]

you stole that ! I believe that would be Chaffin era made Dean. Very Nice!

[Turdus]

That is cool. The last pic looks to have S/N stamped into fretboard. I had a Korina with same marking. I seem to recall this as being made in Florida, mid to late 90's. But I'm not 100% sure on that one.

[Rocktuna]

Yes the year is 96

Played it at practice tonight. I'm lovin the big neck. Has great tone too.

[landon w]

very very cool.......it looks gorgeous!!!! now if it only had curb feelers

[tommy p]

I think those are cool too, but I've never played one. I would add Steve Clark of Def Leppard along with Elliot Easton as another reason I wanted one. I'm not hugely into Steve as a player, but I did love early Leppard and that guitar looked so cool in the Me & My Wine video.

[Willie G. Moseley]

My favorite Dean silhouette as well---the Les Paul meets Explorer vibe is a unique paradox. Bought a US offa eBay about 3 yrs. (cherry sunburst) but didn't keep it 'coz the neck was too chunky.

There were some much earlier Caddys, however, that had a slight V-taper neck. Still wouldn't mind having one of those if I could afford such.

[backinit]

Nice score. I much prefer flame over quilt and that has a nice flame. I'm a sucker for the "natural binding" as well.

I can't believe you picked up an American made guitar in that condition basically how you want it for that price.

[Brooks]

this one fits my tiny dick beaters perfect.

a-HAAAA!!! good 'un.

sweet guitar, i've always dug the cadi.

[svl]

Love Caddys! Great score, enjoy!

[Submariner85]

Why can't I get lucky like that? I've found a few pawn shop semi scores. Got my Dean Evo Special and my Ibanez Destroyer for stupid cheap but man. NICE CADDY.

[Rocktuna]

What still baffles me is that it was in his store and on the net for over a year and nobody else snagged it.

I still can't believe that a store owner wouldn't check into the origins of a piece that he has in stock. It only takes a couple minutes on the net.

The neck isn't a perfect half circle like a Gibson, it has a very, slight V shape to it. Kinda sloppy U, it's hard to describe.

3 days later I'm still stoked.

[pfxc]

That's a really great looking guitar. Congrats on your find.

[tomteriffic]

Suh-WEET. Personally, I'd stcik with the nickel/chrome hardware, though.

The lead guitarist in a band I was with in the mid-late '70's in Chicago had the prototype Caddy. It wasn't even all the way finished when he started gigging it. Big (but not-ginormous) V-neck, cherry sunburst finish and a Gretsch-style snap-off back pad. I've never owned a Dean, but If I did, it would be a Caddy.