Dean Serial Number Formats
US + YY + digits(1977-present)USA production (Tampa, FL).
YY + MM + digits(1986-present)Import models with year and month encoding.
Where to Find Your Dean Serial Number
- â–¶On the back of the headstock
Tips
- â–¶USA Dean guitars are made in Tampa, Florida.
Spotting Counterfeit Dean Guitars
Dean counterfeits are not widespread, but some fakes of popular models like the ML and Razorback do appear online.
Serial Number & Originâ–¼
- â–¶Verify the serial number format matches known Dean patterns. US-made Deans (Tampa, FL) have a US prefix.
- â–¶Check that the claimed country of origin matches the serial number prefix and the "Made in" label.
Build Qualityâ–¼
- â–¶Dean's distinctive body shapes (ML, V, Razorback) should have correct proportions. Slightly off shapes or incorrect horns indicate a counterfeit.
- â–¶Check the Dean headstock logo and any model-specific inlays for proper execution. Blurry logos or cheap-looking inlays are a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I date a Dean guitar by serial number?â–¼
USA-made Deans typically start with "US" followed by a two-digit year and a production sequence number (e.g. US97xxxx = 1997). Import models often use a YYMMXXX format where the first two digits are the year and the next two are the month of manufacture.
Where was my Dean guitar made?â–¼
USA Dean guitars have been produced in Tampa, Florida since the brand was revived there. Import models have been built in Korea, China, and the Czech Republic depending on the era and model tier. The serial number prefix and any "Made in" label on the headstock will confirm the country of origin.
Dean Links & Resources
Dean Gallery
More About Dean
Dean Guitars was founded in 1977 by Dean Zelinsky in Evanston, Illinois. Zelinsky, a self-taught luthier in his late teens, designed a series of guitars with radical body shapes — the Z, the V, and the ML — that became synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The ML, a body shape combining elements of the Flying V and Explorer, remains Dean's most iconic design. It was the guitar of choice for Michael Schenker and, most famously, Dimebag Darrell of Pantera.
Zelinsky sold the Dean brand in 1991. After the brand's identity became diluted under new ownership, he repurchased it in 1997 and relocated production to Tampa, Florida, where it has been based since. The Tampa-era Deans re-established the USA Custom Shop as a serious builder. The revival was aided by Dimebag Darrell's continued association with the brand; his death in 2004 led to an outpouring of tribute instruments that kept Dean in the spotlight.
Modern Dean production spans the spectrum from USA Custom Shop instruments built in Tampa to affordable import models manufactured in Korea, China, and the Czech Republic. The brand maintains a strong following in the metal community, with artist signature models for Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Michael Amott (Arch Enemy), and others forming the centrepiece of the line.