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Michael Schenker Flying V & Dean Guitar Company
The Dean Guitar Company, or simply Dean, is a stringed instrument maker and importer of musical products with headquarters in Tampa, Florida.
The Company was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1976 by Dean Zelinsky but sold to Elliott Rubinson (Armadillo Enterprises) in 1997.
Rubinson was not just a business owner; he was also a bass player for such acts as…
- Uli Jon Roth &
- Michael Angelo Batio &
- The Michael Schenker Group.
Every reputable guitar company has its brand champions, and Dean Guitars is no different.
With Artists like…
- Heart
- Molly Hatchet
- Triumph &
- ZZ Top
The guitar company would expand its operations from electric solid bodies, bass guitars and acoustic to accessories like guitar parts, amplifiers, and guitar pickups.
Dean’s electric guitars include models like the ML, V, and Z signature guitars for…
- Dimebag Darrel
- Dave Mustain (Megadeth)
- Bret Michaels and
- Michael Schenker
Who is Michael Schenker
Image courtesy of wikiportret.nl- Author Robin Looy and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
Michael Schenker (born January 10, 1955)
A German Rock Guitarist is best known for his work with the Michael Schenker Group (MSG) group, formed in 1979.
Early Years
Big brother Rudolf purchased Michael a Gibson Flying V guitar for his 11th birthday capturing his imagination.
Micheal taking to practicing and playing, quickly cited his guitar influences as…
- Jimmy Page
- Jeff Beck
- Eric Clapton and Johnny Winter
The Scorpions
Are a German-based rock bank co-founded by Rudolf Schenker in 1965; after joining his brother Micheal and the Scorpions, he played the nightclubs of Germany and debuted on their first album Lonesome Crow at the age of 16.
While on tour to promote the band’s first studio album, they opened for another up-and-coming band from the UK…
UFO
DURING THAT TOUR, the UK group offered young Michael Schenker a lead position as the temporary guitarist.
With the blessing of his big brother, Micheal went out with UFO co-writing most of the songs on their debut album Phenomenon but only stayed with the group till October 1978.
Rejoining the Scorpions in late 1978 and recording the album Lovedrive, Micheal toured in 1979 to support the new album. Still, he would permanently leave the original lineup to start his own group.
His position was replaced by Matthias Jabs, who had initially joined the band before Schenkers returned, replacing Uli Jon Roth, a German guitarist who, like Yngwie Malmsteen, was one of the earliest contributors to the Neoclassical metal genre.
The Michael Schenker Group
Wanting to play his music made him turn down other lead guitar spots with such bands as…
- Deep Purple
- Thin Lizzy
- Motorhead and
- Ozzy Osbourne, who, after the death of Randy Rhoads, was Ozzy’s first call for a replacement based on Randy’s affection for the Flying V, but this union would not come to pass.
“If I would have joined Ozzy Osbourne, I would have screwed up my life. I was almost about to do it, and something told me: DON’T!!”
Micheal Schenker
Schenker moved to London, joining with bassist Bill Sheehan, Denny Carmassi, Gary Barden and Fraser Nash to form the Michael Schenker Group.
The MSG went through several player lineups, and name changes from Michael Schenker in 1979-1986 to McAuley Schenker 1986-1993 (with Vocalist Robin McAuley) and then back again in 1996 to the present day.
The one thing that would remain consistent was their sound which represented a cornerstone of the genre’s excellent interpretation of hard rock music at the time.
Schenker continues to perform and record and has been called “a legendary figure in the history of metal guitar.”
Get Your Copy of ‘Best Of” From This German Rocker & Former Scorpions Guitarist, Simply By Clicking The Image Here.
The Signature Dean Michael Schenker Flame V Guitar
The 2009 Michael Schenker Custom Flame Guitar-Image courtesy of thomann.de
This Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flying V Electric Guitar offers an Eastern Mahogany body, Ebony Fretboard, DMT Series Schenker “Lights Out” Humbuckers and a “C” Style Neck with Grover tuners, a Custom Flames Graphic Finish and more (Read On)
Specifications
Body
- Body and Top Material– Eastern Soundboard Mahogany gives a warm tone with long sustain.
- Body Type -V Style
- Top Contour-Flat Top
Neck
Pearl block fretboard inlays, Graph Tech TUSQ Nut, Grover machine heads, MS Enscribe on Headstock- Image courtesy of Deanguitars.com
- Neck Material-Eastern Mahogany
- Scale Length-24 3/4″ (629mm)
- Neck Construction-Set-in neck
- Neck profile- A comfortable rounded oval “C” shape
- Truss Rod-Dual action
- Fretboard Material-Ebony-dark colour, tight grain; premium fretboard wood
- Inlays–Pearl block fretboard inlays
- Frets-22 Jumbo
- Fretboard Radius-12″ (305mm)
- Nut-Graph Tech TUSQ
- Nut Width-1 11/16″ (43mm)
- Tuners –Grover machine heads
Pickups
USA DMT “Lights Out” HH Non-Active Pickups provide a dynamically responsive custom voice.
USA DMT “Lights Out” HH Pickups, Chrome Hardware, Top Hat Knobs, TOM Bridge, 3-way Switch-Image Courtesy of Deanguitars.com
- Pickup (Neck)-USA DMT Series Schenker Lights Out
- Pickup (Bridge)-USA DMT Seris Schenker Lights Out
The pickups have great clean sounds as well as beautiful differentiated heavy sounds.
- Controls-Vol/Vol/Tone/3-Way Toggle
- Knobs-Top hat/White
String Through Tune-O-Matic Bridge- Image Courtesy of thomann.de
- Bridge-String Through /Tune-O-Matic
- Hardware Color-Nickel hardware/Chrome
- Tremolo – None
Special Features
- Binding-Single Ply Black/White
- Michael Schenker inscribed on the headstock
- Finish-Custom black & white flames graphics
- Custom-fit case
Video
Final thoughts
I have always been a fan of the scorpions, especially during the Uli Jon Roth and Matthias Jabs era.
You can never question the contribution brought by the Schenkers to the sound of the time, even though Rudolf mainly was a rhythm player and Michael was a blazing lead player, nor take away their accomplishments in the halls of Heavy Metal.
This guitar sums up that contribution and dedication to Micheal’s craft, for him and his brother identified with the Flying V, and it is still part of their brand to this day.
The guitar doesn’t hang heavily on the shoulder, but it would still be challenging to play sitting down and appeals to a select audience.
I am more of a fan of the Gibson Flying V Headstock, but the Dean is identifiable immediately.
For More Michael Schenker, Click Through The Image Here
Should You Add This To Your Collection?
If you are so inclined and are a collector of signature guitars or want to have a piece of the MS Legacy, then YES.
Did You Like The Article
Check out my review of the Slash Gibson Firebird.
Also…
Leave me your comments in the section below, and if you would like me to review a favourite guitar.
As always, stay the course and keep playing.
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The main guitar image on the Feature banner is courtesy of deanguitars.com
Image of Book Best Of” From This German Rocker & Former Scorpions Guitarist, courtesy of Amazon
Image of Michael Schenker for CTA courtesy of Amazon
The front and back images on the Feature banner is courtesy of thomann.de
Image of Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock performing live at Rock Hard Festival, May 2015, Gelsenkirchen courtesy of Wikimedia Author Grywnn and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
The Michael Schenker Flying V Dean Guitar Custom Flame
$4,530.00
Pros
- Finish-Custom Flames Graphic
- C- Shape Neck Profile
- Top Hat Knobs
- Grover Machine Heads
- Single Ply Black/White Binding
Cons
- Limited Edition
- Pricey
- Not a Sit Down Play Style Instrument
Starting A Journey At 7 Years Of Age, The Love For The Guitar Only Became Stronger Going Into My Teens. This Leading To An Exciting Time Of Teaching, Performing, And Recording. Join Me Now As We Can Bring The Love Of This Instrument To Other Musicians Globally.
