USA dean baby V 80's

[shred-dog]

anybody have any info on dean baby V's from the 80's single humbucker small body small headstock mahogany w/ebony board any good ?

[TwilightOdyssey]

The original Deans, which were made by Dean Zalinsky in the attic of his parents' home in the late 70's - early 80's, are all killer guitars; highly collectible and highly sought after.

[ibmorjamn]

I hope drumming up this old thread is ok.I have one of these baby "V" Guitars. I know all ready what the guitar is but it took a while to find it on the Dean website. Mine has the paint coming off and the wood is cracking on one of the "V's" but over all the paint is cracked on the whole guitar. I guess this is due to a couple of things one being dry heat where I used to live and maybe paint quality or prep work. Anyone know of this happening ?

[formula73]

It's nitro lacquer and they didn't use the amount of plasticizers that Gibson started doing back in those days. They all do the checking and flaking thing. Temp and humidity changes certainly don't help.

[ibmorjamn]

I don't know if I should try to restore it or just leave like it is. I have heard many times of people ruining the original guitar by painting them. It is sad to look at but it plays and sounds just fine.

[formula73]

Play it or get rid of it. Resale on Deans, especially the old Baby ones, has always been pretty bad. Something like that would ruin any resale it had left.

[BTMN]

Those run in the $350-$600 bracket in good condition anyway. Refin can run you that done well. Many reasons to keep a good playing guitar as is.