[Please see our listing of used Dean guitars following this brief history of the company.]
Dean Zelinsky founded Dean Guitars in 1976 after having built guitars from an early age. The company produces electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars as well as banjos and mandolins.
Zelinsky's belief was that the production of rock guitars had grown stagnate and needed change. His instruments started to be released in the mid 1970s, and featured a large v-shaped headstock and pointed body designs. Because of these radical designs the guitars become very popular. He also used beautiful models in suggestive poses with his instruments for advertising. This started to be widely copied by other manufacturers also. Dean has since discontinued this advertising strategy.
Zelinsky decided he no longer wanted to manufacture guitars in 1986, and sold the company to begin making furniture.
In the late 1990s, Elliott Rubinson (CEO of Dean Guitars) revived the brand name. He later brought Zelinsky back aboard as an executive and creative consultant. Dean Guitars has since grown into one of the leading guitar companies in the world.
In 2008, Zelinsky left Dean Guitars. Nate Karls became the lead engineer for Dean in late 2008.
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 Dean Guitars Custom 250 Classic Electric Guitar Black C250T $89.00 Time Remaining: 7d 6h 13m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 Dean Michael Amott Tyrant Electric Guitar Blood Storm HARD CASE Display Model $599.95 Time Remaining: 30m |
 DEAN USA RIK EMMETT V 26 100 CUSTOM SHOP $1,399.99 Time Remaining: 8d 22h 30m Buy It Now for only: $1,399.99 |
 Red Dean Exotica Acoustic Electric Guitar W Built In Tuner $260.00 Time Remaining: 1h 21m |
 2012 Dean Vendetta 17 7 String Electric Guitar Black Nearly New 2514 $199.95 Time Remaining: 4d 23h 24m Buy It Now for only: $199.95 |
 GreenOrangeand Blue Custom Swirl painted Dean Vendetta GuitarOne of a kind $125.00 Time Remaining: 1h 43m |
 Dean Dave Mustaine Rust In Peace With Case $999.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 32m Buy It Now for only: $999.00 |
 Dean Cadillac Quilt Top Guitar $400.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 11h 36m |
 New Dean Michael A Batio MAB 3 Autographed Guitar Make Offer 4 Best Price $499.95 Time Remaining: 19d 18h 48m Buy It Now for only: $499.95 |
 Dean Razorback Dimebag Guitar Classic Black with Case RZR DB CBK $279.77 Time Remaining: 13h 1m Buy It Now for only: $279.77 |
 2007 Dean Soltero SL Trans Black Highly Flamed and Book Matched Top $315.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 13h 28m Buy It Now for only: $850.00 Bid now |
 Dean Cadillac Tigers Eye Total Eye Candy Great Used Condition $374.00 Time Remaining: 21d 14h 47m Buy It Now for only: $374.00 |