"He Brought Them Back into Business Just Because of His Popularity..." Zakk Wylde on Dimebag vs Dean Guitars Debacle

Shortly before his death on December 8, 2004, Dimebag Darrell Abbott (Pantera, Damageplan) initiated a deal with Dean Guitars to produce the next line of his guitars after his ten year deal with Washburn had expired. The deal was signed by Dimebag prior to his untimely and tragic passing. Upon Dimebag’s death, the deal was overseen by his brother and bandmate, Vinnie Paul Abbott until his passing on 22nd June, 2018. The estate is now being overseen by Dimebag’s longtime girlfriend Rita Haney.

Fast forward to August 16, 2021 and Haney filed a lawsuit looking to remove Dean Guitars authority to use Dimebag’s name, likeness and designs on any and all merchandise. Additionally Haney released a statement on the Dimebag Darrell website and Instagram page outlining the reasons as to why the split was necessary.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSp4BwJFdn-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Today, five months later. While there have been no additional official statements made by either party, in the last week or so Dean Guitars Australia have been advertising on Facebook the arrival of their “last ever Dean Dime guitars” saying, they’re “not being made anymore”.

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There has been speculation saying the brand could return to Washburn, but in a recent interview with Wall of Sound, Zakk Wylde was asked if his Wylde Audio brand would be interested, to which Zakk replied:

“I remember when that [article] first came out, whenever I saw that, but I didn't know, I didn't know the whole skinny on that. But I mean, it's just like, Yeah, cuz I mean, Dime's always been associated with them. I mean, actually, he brought them back into business when they were out of business; he brought them back into business just because of his popularity. And him playing that guitar. But uh, no, you know, if any, if we were to ever do something like that, you know, obviously we talk with Rita and whatever she wanted to do, you know...”

Is a Wylde Audio Dimebag series of guitars on the cards? Dean Guitars has always been associated with Dimebag Darrell, but given Zakk and Dime's friendship, in addition to being two of the finest musicians to ever play the guitar, it seems like a fitting partnership in the wake of the termination of the Dean/Dime deal. We'll keep you posted on the eventual outcome regardless.

However, if you’re looking for what is being coined the last of the Dean Dimebag guitars, then smash the piggy bank, cash in your bitcoin and hit the link here.

Written by Duane James @duanejames666

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i97OkCXwotE