Dean Guitars ML Select Flame Top TBZ

Dean Guitars ML Select Flame Top TBZ review

The Dean Guitars ML Select Flame Top TBZ pairs the company's ML-style body with a figured maple top, a set-in neck, and a Seymour Duncan humbucker set. Its Trans Brazilia high-gloss finish and black hardware give the instrument a pronounced visual contrast. The listed price is 1475, and the product has been available since September 2026. Item number: 636624.

The supplied field feedback describes a guitar that arrived in perfect condition. The player also reports a fast-feeling neck and says the instrument feels stable when standing. That is useful practical feedback, although it does not establish how every example will arrive or feel. There are no detailed measurements or long-term durability notes in the feedback provided.

Construction and neck details

The body and neck are made from nato, with a flamed maple top. The neck is set into the body rather than attached with bolts. Dean lists a V-shaped neck profile, a 43 mm nut width, and a 305 mm fingerboard radius. The fingerboard carries white abalone dot inlays, and the body has five-ply white binding. These details give a clearer picture of the layout than the ML shape alone, especially for players comparing neck dimensions and edge treatment.

There is a specification discrepancy worth checking before purchase. One part of the supplied information identifies the fingerboard as rosewood, while the more detailed specification identifies it as ebony. The scale length also appears in two forms: 629 mm and 630 mm. The detailed listing gives 629 mm, equivalent to 24.75 inches, while the broader specification rounds it to 630 mm. Confirm the fingerboard material and exact scale with the seller if either detail affects your decision.

The guitar has 22 jumbo frets and a Graph Tech TUSQ nut. The neck's V profile is a specific shape choice, not a universally comfortable design. Players who favor a fuller or rounder carve should try the neck in person if possible. The reported fast feel is positive, but it is one player's impression rather than a measured description of the neck's thickness.

Pickups and controls

The pickup configuration is two passive humbuckers. A Seymour Duncan TB-5 is installed at the bridge, and a Seymour Duncan APH-1 sits at the neck. The control layout consists of two volume knobs, one tone knob, and a three-way pickup selector. This is a direct, familiar arrangement that allows each pickup's output to be adjusted separately. The supplied specifications do not include output readings, coil-splitting options, or a detailed description of the pickups' tonal response, so those features should not be assumed.

There are no active pickups and no tremolo. The fixed Babicz bridge with V Plate keeps the hardware configuration straightforward for players who do not need a vibrato system. Dean also lists black hardware and locking Grover tuning machines with an 18:1 gear ratio. The locking tuners are a concrete specification, but they do not by themselves guarantee tuning stability. String condition, installation, nut setup, and playing technique still matter.

What the specifications suggest

The ML Select is configured around a set-in nato neck, a 24.75-inch scale, two humbuckers, and a fixed bridge. That combination will be familiar to players seeking a traditional electric guitar layout with a sculpted ML-style body. The detailed listing does not state the instrument's weight, body thickness, fretboard edge treatment, or factory string gauge. Those omissions make an in-person check especially useful for buyers who prioritize standing comfort or have strong preferences about setup.

The reported stability while standing is a welcome point, but no balance measurements were supplied. The guitar's body shape and strap position can affect how it hangs, so treat that comment as a helpful first impression, not a guarantee. Likewise, the report of perfect arrival condition reflects one delivery experience and cannot predict packaging or transit outcomes for another order.

Verdict

The Dean Guitars ML Select Flame Top TBZ has a clearly defined specification: nato body and set-in neck, flamed maple top, 22 jumbo frets, passive Seymour Duncan humbuckers, a fixed Babicz bridge, and locking Grover tuners. Its reported fast neck and stable standing feel add a positive real-world note. The main point to resolve is the conflicting fingerboard material, with rosewood in one listing and ebony in another. The scale length differs slightly by rounding, too. At a listed price of 1475, confirm those details and try the V-shaped neck if possible before committing.