Dean Palomino Solo

**Dookychase** · 05-24-2010, 11:25 AM

I don't know if this guitar has been brought up here on the forum. I just came across it this morning.

Looks really nice, kinda like a 175. Anybody here have experience with one? Retails for 599.00

I would have posted a picture with this thread but I don't know how.

**mr. beaumont** · 05-24-2010, 12:07 PM

judging by the quality of the few dean guitars the shop I teach at carries, I hope there's a big jump in quality between their 2-300 dollar models the 600 dollar palomino--otherwise they're a big AVOID.

That quality jump isn't uncommon, though-- I feel like epiphone is a prime example...The guitars in their lower range are often unplayable garbage, but once you get into that 500 dollar range, they make some stuff that's pretty cool, including a model like the casino, which has no competition in it's price range

**Dookychase** · 05-24-2010, 12:15 PM

Just from looking at the picture, if it plays as well as it looks, it would be a nice guitar for the price.

I agree about the Epiphones. I once played the Sheraton II and it was really nice.

**amusiathread** · 05-25-2010, 12:23 PM

I've played one and really like the sound of the P90's. The one I played needed a setup though (I'm amazed at the retailers who don't setup a guitar before trying to sell it!). So I don't know how it plays at its best, but it's a good sounding guitar.

**hans dekker** · 05-28-2010, 04:15 AM

Hello there, I'm also looking into the new Dean Palomino Solo. I/m also interested in a HS Anderson RES175 replica which is for sale (500 dollars appr.!) in Holland/the Netherlands. But I cannot find any valuable info on the Anserson. Maybe you guys can help me.
Thnaks, hans Dekker

**JohnW400** · 05-28-2010, 09:17 AM

Check out this you tube post.

It doesn't sound too bad for $450.

**VKat** · 07-07-2011, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by JohnW400

Check out this you tube post.

It doesn't sound too bad for $450.

First of all, regarding the YouTube vid: "I'd say, THAT guy doesn't sound too bad even on that Dean

. In fact he's a fantastic player, no less.

That guitar in the vid is an older three P-90 model that has been in production for awhile now. As far as I understand the Dean Palomino Solo is a newer model that was introduced not so long ago - when? 2010?

Has anyone here had a hands on experience with one of these yet? This post is over a year old and no one has added to it any really useful info so far. Oh, sorry, the YouTube link is definitely a good addition but that's a different subject.

Looking at the online pics and specs it seems to be a 'not too bad' (o boy, again this vague definition!) guitar.

The Solo version guitar body and neck are apparently based on the older version. I don't know if the older Palomino had ebony fretboard and what they call in the specs the 'carved top' - not sure what the latter is. I doubt the top is carved from the solid spruce in a $600 guitar. Any ideas?

What I'm suspicious about is the quality control. The current production crop comes from China and older ones were perhaps made in Korea. I'm actually not sure about the Palomino but many Dean models came from the Korean factory (which?). Most if not all Korean guitars I held in my hands were flawless or nearly flawless. Maybe I was lucky. I can't say that about Chinese and Indonesian guitars though Chinese Ibanez Artcores I've had experience with all were made exceptionally well.

I'm interested in this guitar because it's a single floating pickup version which promises a better acoustic tone. This type of guitar is ideal for solo jazz staff and the model name is chosen correctly whatever it means - the single pickup or the style.

What corners do you think/know were cut in design/production of this guitar?

Also what is the body size? I remember I saw the older Palomino in the store awhile ago but I don't remember its the dimentions. Is it more like the Super 400 or Es 175 or something in between?

**RoyaleT** · 07-07-2011, 08:28 AM

You could be a lot safer buying a nice Aria or Epi Joe Pass for that money.

**VKat** · 07-07-2011, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by RoyaleT

You could be a lot safer buying a nice Aria or Epi Joe Pass for that money.

Any reasoning for that? I know that most of the guitars makers including ARIA and Epi moved their production from Korea to China/Indonesia. With that people usually notice drop in quality regardless of the brand.
Often you can hear 'Buy the same used model of the older Korean production". That makes sense if one can find a used istrument in decent condition.

**RoyaleT** · 07-07-2011, 04:54 PM

I have a Korean Aria FA71 that I would match with any sub $1000 archtop out there. Well built and easy playing if set up correctly. These as well as the FA70, 77(solid top, more $$), and 65's are readily available in great shape at very favorable prices. I have not looked into the current location of manufacture. The JP's I played have also all bben Korean made, and they are not at all rare in good shape. I also just purchased a Godin Kingpin II cw for $549 used.

**caravan** · 07-07-2011, 07:47 PM

Yes, I tried one out a while back. The reason I didn't buy it was because of the weight. Just lifting it up with one arm nearly threw my back out! I prefer more acoustical qualities out of a jazz guitar, which usually equates to a lighter instrument.

**bborzell** · 07-07-2011, 09:25 PM

It appears to have a solid spruce top. As for the weight, if it is truly heavy feeling, I wonder if it has a heavy block under the bridge.

**VKat** · 07-08-2011, 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by RoyaleT

I have a Korean Aria FA71 that I would match with any sub $1000 archtop out there. Well built and easy playing if set up correctly. These as well as the FA70, 77(solid top, more $$), and 65's are readily available in great shape at very favorable prices. I have not looked into the current location of manufacture. The JP's I played have also all bben Korean made, and they are not at all rare in good shape. I also just purchased a Godin Kingpin II cw for $549 used.

You are lucky. In the US where large amounts of good quality guitars are sold annually I guess you can get very sweet deals on gently used and new instruments if you wait and search. Here in the Eastern Europe where I live it's hard to find a good used instrument in great shape. People usually buy junk and sell junk because of their generally lower income level and usually sell a "good quality" guitar when it needs refretting. Now I can buy stuff on eBay of course but Simple Joe won't usually ship overseas and those are sweet deals that go on bidding. There are of course other possibilities but I decided not to rule out this Dean Solo right away.

**RoyaleT** · 07-08-2011, 05:42 AM

VKat, yes we are lucky here in the U.S. with variety, ample supply and relative cost of good quality instuments. I forget sometimes of how international this site is and base many of my posts on the American market. I meant no serious negativity to you idea of a Dean, just threw out some options to consider. I hope you can obtain a guitar you will be pleased with and enjoy.

**spiral** · 07-08-2011, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by RoyaleT

FA70, 77(solid top, more $$), and 65's are readily available in great shape at very favorable prices. I have not looked into the current location of manufacture.

Ordered an FA77. Returned it. The tailpiece was crooked and touching the top, essentially creating a damper--this seemed weird for a guitar boasting a solid top and floating pickup. The bridge was also too far to the bass side so the strings weren't even aligned with the fretboard. This one was made in China.

**Billnc** · 09-18-2011, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

judging by the quality of the few dean guitars the shop I teach at carries, I hope there's a big jump in quality between their 2-300 dollar models the 600 dollar palomino--otherwise they're a big AVOID.

That quality jump isn't uncommon, though-- I feel like epiphone is a prime example...The guitars in their lower range are often unplayable garbage, but once you get into that 500 dollar range, they make some stuff that's pretty cool, including a model like the casino, which has no competition in it's price range

Old thread I know, I just ordered one. It will be a 'good one' so I can post if there are issues with it. It will be a factory set up, so I'll probably put my strings on it and set it up then.

Dean's quality on low end instruments seems to be awful, I've got an Edge Pro5 bass, the higher end Korean (mine anyway) model, and it is the most comfortable bass I have ever played or owned.

I want a really high end archtop for sure, but I have recordings of me playing one I had from the 90's and my present Aria Pro and I sound almost exactly the same, for better or worse if this guitar is not a dog it'll be a good workhorse.

**MaxT** · 10-13-2011, 11:06 PM

I think the Dean Palomino comes in at least two versions. The one on Youtube is the "Dean Palomino Trifecta", probably because of the three pickups.

**ah.clem** · 10-14-2011, 11:44 AM

Hi,Max. The Palomino series is 3 guitars. You are right, the Youtube video appears to be the Trifecta. The solo has a single, neck mounted floating pickup. I am really quite interested in this guitar. I am trying to get my local GC (120 miles away, unfortunately) to get one in.

Bill, any thoughts on your Palomino?

**Billnc** · 10-14-2011, 11:51 AM

Mine is ordered, Antique natural finish. I don't know when it will be in. I'll post 'out of the box' and again when I've got it to my liking. I will be handed the guitar in the shipping box.

**MaxT** · 10-14-2011, 12:36 PM

Clem,
I'll be interested to read your opinion of it later. How many pickups on yours?

**ah.clem** · 10-14-2011, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by MaxT

...How many pickups on yours?

I haven't purchased one yet. I'm trying to find one locally to check the fit, finish and play-ability. I'm interested in the Solo, with the floating neck pickup. I'm waiting to hear what BillNC has to say when his arrives and I actually get some playing time on one; then I'll decide. I'll add a post if/when I get to play one.

**MaxT** · 10-14-2011, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by ah.clem

I haven't purchased one yet. I'm trying to find one locally to check the fit, finish and play-ability. I'm interested in the Solo, with the floating neck pickup. I'm waiting to hear what BillNC has to say when his arrives and I actually get some playing time on one; then I'll decide. I'll add a post if/when I get to play one.

The single floating-pickup one I've seen only in a photo, it does look well. Remains to be seen how it sounds. I hope you find a nice one.

**VKat** · 11-03-2011, 04:18 AM

I can share with all of you a little bit of information on the Solo model but forgive me, I can't comment on the playability.

First of all the specimen I obtained is a well made guitar for the money. I got one off eBay from the Music Farm and their sales manager, Todd is a very nice guy to deal with. I noticed their prices on Dean Palomino Solo were a tad lower than the rest of sellers. My specimen though is not a production run model but is a factory sample that according to Music Farm they obtained from the Dean warehouse. Instead of the floating pickup it has a top mounted pickup because that's probably how Dean viewed this model as an alternative. It has no markings, no serial number, just the Dean logo on the headstock.

The fit and finish is nice: neck joint is very tight, no crooked parts and what I particularly like about this guitar is the lacquer finish is thin unlike on some other budget guitars that I've seen. It doesn't look and feel "plastic". I don't know if production run guitars are of the same quality.

The problem with mine is that since it was a factory sample it had the rigidly mounted tailpiece and the connection was really weak. The tailpiece separated from the tailpiece heel (or whatever you call it) in transit because it was attached by two tiny screws that held the tailpiece in place. Anyway I'd have to change the method of tailpiece attachment to be able to change strings. Now I'm in the process of deciding how it is better to make that joint.
I also don't know how this joint is made on the production run guitars. Any idea?
I don't want to change the original design drastically or use another tailpiece. I may change my mind if I don't find a simple solution.

Overall I feel it'll be a nice guitar when I re-attach the tailpiece. There are probably equal or better alternatives but I like this one.

I'm attaching a real pic of the guitar (from the sale ad) and a picture of the "broken" tailpiece.

**Billnc** · 11-15-2011, 12:57 AM

Okay, got mine today. First off no avoid issues on it at all. I got it in the box, came with round wounds so I didn't even bother playing it. Put on Thomastik Infeld jazz Flats George Benson set of 12's on it. Finish is flawless. Binding is not perfect on the lower side F hole. it is cut where the point bindings meet not at the point. Factory set up is very good in spite of the string change. The guitar plays very well. My present archtop is an Aria ProII FA50E so we are talking same ballpark price range and I've done a lot of shopping lately in the range. The acoustic sound of the Dean is much better and tighter sounding. It is superior to anything playing wise I've played, very comfortable. This is highly subjective but I have a Dean upper end 5 string bass and feel the same way. I play a fretless Carvin more on gigs but practice on the Dean more. The Palomino is brighter than any other archtop I've owned (all were mahogany, couple laminate one solid) since it is maple with a solid spruce top.
I've dialed it in to the proper darkness I like (Polytone is my amp) I've owned far more expensive archtops. It is one to consider, and proof this price point is better than what you could get 10 years ago for more money. I will be fully honest about feedback when I gig it Friday but I got louder than usual trying to make it feedback with no issues, of course I know it will feed back, I don't know the volume and proximity to the amp. I back a singer up or play solo on a gig and go preamp out to the PA.

A friend bought the three pick up model last week. It's cool, not my cup of tea, more rockabilly but it was solid and fun to mess about with a few minutes.

Oh, my tailpiece joint looks solid, and the same as yours I think (it is production). If there are no issues I like the idea far better than trapeze tailpiece.

**VKat** · 11-15-2011, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Billnc

...
Oh, my tailpiece joint looks solid, and the same as yours I think (it is production). If there are no issues I like the idea far better than trapeze tailpiece.

Bill, thanks for your quick review as well. I have two questions for you if you have a spare minute.
- Can you tell me please how is your tailpiece attached to the tailpiece heel (sorry, don't know the proper name for the part attached to the body to which the tailpiece is affixed on)? Is it also two tiny screws? Or is it mounted on some kind of hinge so that the tailpiece does not separate competely from the guitar when you need to change strings? I'm sure you know the answer since you've changed the strings once.
I think the two tiny screws attachment on mine is a half-baked idea.
Do you say on the production model the attachment method is the same? That would be weird.

- How can I check that the top is really carved solid spruce but not laminate? The F-holes are bound and I don't see any other large openings. I don't know if there is any routing under the top mounted humbucker. Maybe that's the spot to check?