Dean Guitars

Dean Guitars was founded by Dean Zelinsky, in Chicago in 1976 or Evanston, Illinois in 1977 depending on the source. The original lineup had three models: the V, resembling a Flying V; the Z, with an Explorer-style body; and the ML, a hybrid of the two named for the initials of Zelinsky's childhood friend Matt Lynn. Zelinsky made custom instruments for bands including ZZ Top, among them the furry guitars Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill used in the Legs video.

He sold the company in 1990 (another source says 1986) to Oscar Medros of Tropical Music in Miami, and Armadillo Enterprises, led by the former touring bassist Elliott Rubinson and also the owner of Luna Guitars and Ddrum, acquired it in 1995 or 1997. Under Armadillo, Rubinson rebuilt the artist roster, signing Dimebag Darrell, whose Razorback is a pointier ML-inspired model. Zelinsky returned as a consultant in 2000 and left again in 2008.

Dean is headquartered in Tampa, owned by Armadillo Enterprises, and its instruments are made in Tampa, Korea, Japan and China. Guitar Radar follows its ML, V and Z models and artist editions.