Dean Guitars ML 79 Fld Flame Top Duncan TBZ

Dean Guitars ML 79 Fld Flame Top Duncan TBZ review

The Dean Guitars ML 79 Fld Flame Top Duncan TBZ is a sharply styled electric guitar with a Trans Brazilia high-gloss finish, a figured maple top, and a Floyd Rose-style double-locking tremolo. Its listed price is 939. The model has been available since January 2007, but owner reports describe different production versions and varying setup quality. That variation matters: the stated specifications provide a useful guide, while individual instruments may arrive needing careful inspection and adjustment.

Construction and specifications

The body and set-in neck are made from nato, with a figured maple top and a rosewood fingerboard listed in the specifications. The fingerboard has white pearloid dot inlays, a 305 mm (12-inch) radius, and 22 jumbo frets. The scale length is 629 mm (24.75 inches), and the nut is 43 mm (1.69 inches) wide. The neck profile is a V shape, not a C shape, a distinction noted by owners who encountered inaccurate descriptions.

Dean's ML outline is large and angular, yet several players say the guitar feels comfortable both seated and standing, with good balance on a strap. Reports also praise access to the upper frets and describe the neck as comfortable, though one player found it somewhat thick. The V profile may suit players who like a defined shoulder in the hand, but personal preference will determine whether it feels natural.

Pickups and controls

The stated pickup set is a Seymour Duncan TB-4 JB humbucker at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan '59 humbucker at the neck. Controls comprise separate volume knobs, one tone knob, and a three-way toggle switch. This gives the guitar a familiar layout for switching between bridge, neck, and combined pickup sounds.

Owners describe the guitar as capable of blues, rock, hard rock, and metal, with enough output for high-gain playing and a strong, sustained sound. Some reviewers are happy with the pickups as supplied; others found the electronics or pickup output underwhelming and installed alternatives. Those accounts do not establish that every example has the same pickup configuration, particularly because reviews refer to different model generations. Check the actual instrument and listing before buying if the fitted pickups are a deciding factor.

Comments on the guitar's tonal character are mixed. Several players praise its substantial sustain and broad range, while another hears a brighter, more open character than the deep, thick sound associated with some mahogany-bodied guitars. The listed body wood is nato, not mahogany, so expectations based on a different body material may not match this ML.

Floyd Rose Special and setup

The guitar is listed with a Floyd Rose Special tremolo and an R3 locking nut. Players report very different experiences: some say the bridge holds tuning through heavy use when the nut is properly locked, while others describe tuning instability, a loose-feeling arm, or concerns about the bridge's durability. One reviewer reported stripped saddle-screw threads after using an Allen key. These are individual reports, not proof that every unit will develop the same fault, but they make a close inspection sensible.

A floating tremolo also takes more work to set up than a fixed bridge. Changing string gauge or tuning can affect the bridge angle and may require readjustment. Reports range from instruments that played well after a setup to examples with fret buzz, a poorly adjusted locking nut, or an incorrectly balanced tremolo. Check tuning stability, bridge alignment, fret clearance, and the condition of the locking hardware. If you are unfamiliar with floating tremolo setup, budget time for a qualified technician.

What to check before buying

• Confirm the exact version: Owner accounts mention differences in production location, hardware, and specification. Verify the actual guitar rather than relying on older photographs or descriptions.
• Inspect the setup: Test the action across the fingerboard and check for fret buzz, loose hardware, and clean access to the upper frets.
• Test the tremolo: Use it gently, then check whether the guitar returns to pitch and whether the locking nut and saddles are secure.
• Plan for transport: No case or bag is included according to the supplied specifications.

Verdict

The Dean Guitars ML 79 has a distinctive outline, a figured maple top, a comfortable playing position for many users, and a pickup setup suited to a range of rock styles. Its main uncertainty is consistency from one example to another, especially in setup and tremolo performance. Players prepared to inspect and adjust a floating bridge may find a versatile instrument with strong visual appeal. Buyers looking for dependable out-of-box setup should test the specific guitar first and confirm its hardware and pickups before committing.