Anyone have a Dean "Cabbie" bass?

Pilgrim · January 02, 2015, 09:09:17 AM

I've been intrigued with the look of the Dean Stylist "Cabbie" basses for a long time. My wife actually hinted that one might make a birthday present this year. http://www.deanguitars.com/stylist_cabbie_bass.php

Does anyone have experience with these? I know it's not a top tier bass, but the price is right and I suspect that for classic rock and blues, it would be a pretty fun instrument.

Highlander · January 02, 2015, 09:37:24 AM

Interesting... hopefully they wash out the sick every morning...!
Presumably a shortie...?

(almost same price as an Epi JC over in Euro-land)

Pilgrim · January 02, 2015, 09:48:49 AM

It's 32" scale, by report on TB the pickups are six-pole guitar type, but can be replaced with TV Jones Filtertrons or Thundertrons. I don't think I'm compulsive enough that I'd need to mess with the pickups. A set of Labella Deep Talkin' flats would most likely yield a pleasing sound.

Evidently the body is fairly deep, which means it may be quite similar to my Gretsch 5123 which is 32" scale and has a deep body.

My birthday isn't until June so I have time to gather info.

patman · January 02, 2015, 10:31:44 AM

don't know anything 'bout the cabbie but...

I had a piezo saddle fail on my Pace...a 8-9 year old bass, and the company sent me a new one for free...they're tops in my book.

Pilgrim · January 02, 2015, 10:44:57 AM

I haven't heard a lot about Dean basses, but what I have heard is generally good.

Dave W · January 02, 2015, 12:06:32 PM

Never heard of this one before. If you like the styling, the scale, and deeper bodies, hard to go wrong at $519 street price.

I wouldn't sweat the 6-pole pickups unless you notice a dropout problem.

leftybass · January 02, 2015, 12:52:00 PM

Do they still make those? I remember those from several years back.

Chris P. · January 02, 2015, 12:54:59 PM

It was discontinued some years ago, but reintroduced at the NAMM last January.

Pilgrim · January 02, 2015, 03:10:01 PM

Yup, they made it in yellow and in a seafoam green. The yellow model is the only version currently in production, and it's evidently the only version with the checkered side panels.

Rob · January 02, 2015, 05:38:14 PM

Quote from: leftybass on January 02, 2015, 12:52:00 PM
Do they still make those? I remember those from several years back.

I thought there was a guy in the pit that had one.

Rob · January 02, 2015, 05:39:02 PM

Quote from: Chris P. on January 02, 2015, 12:54:59 PM
It was discontinued some years ago, but reintroduced at the NAMM last January.

Well so much for my earlier post

Pilgrim · January 02, 2015, 08:46:25 PM

Hmmmm...one of the guys on TB posted measurements a while back. That bass body is about 4.75 inches front to back, and as long (47") as my Gretsch 5123. That means the body is 2" deeper front to back than instruments like the Casady bass. It's a BIG bass; every bit as big as most acoustic-electrics.

drbassman · January 02, 2015, 09:42:14 PM

Should have a pretty hollow sound to it with that depth.

Dave W · January 03, 2015, 12:00:09 PM

Quote from: Pilgrim on January 02, 2015, 03:10:01 PM
Yup, they made it in yellow and in a seafoam green. The yellow model is the only version currently in production, and it's evidently the only version with the checkered side panels.

If it didn't have checkers, then it wouldn't be a cabbie, would it?

patman · January 03, 2015, 12:44:13 PM

Looks like a poor man's Hofner or Gretsch to me. That's a good thing. (not appearance, but warm fat hollow body-wise)