Reviewer: Sky Canyon
e-mail: not given
Date submitted: Sept. 18, 2005
Purchase Price: $1650
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Sound & Tone
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Rating:
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10
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Comments:
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It's a Deagan - the sound is simply the best! I bought this top end model brand new in 1979 and have used it for recording and gigs. Love the tone I get on recordings - very rich. Volume in general is fine - unless I'm playing with a large electric band, then I mic it, and that usually will bring it forward enough. Otherwise it projects incredibly well. It has stayed in perfect tune for the 27 years I've had it - in California and Colorado
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Design & Construction
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Rating:
| 9
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Comments:
| Overall, excellent construction, although I did some reinforcing on the insides of the side pieces where the middle tube connects them; the screw fittings were losing their grip so I pulled the screws out and used drywall screw holders (those plastic things that you pound into the wall and then screw into them to hold). They did the trick and it is much more solid.
Bars are graduated, gold color.
I replaced the damper with the vanderplas silicon unit - much better. No annoying rattles anywhere. The frame is not height adjustable, however that has not been an issue for me at 5'7". The casters are basic, but they've worked fine in terms of simple rolling the instrument around. Obviously you can't take it over anything other than smooth surfaces with these casters. I replaced the cord once, many years ago, and the new one is fine. Also have replaced a number of the rubber pieces that have dried out and cracked over the years.
The motor works perfectly, only had to replace the AC cord a couple years ago as it was fraying. Did a 12' cord which is a big help at gigs. Pedal/damper assembly functions fine, although when you think about it, this is very basic mechanical construction.
While I use this for gigs, I'm really sorry I sold my Deagan Commander, as it had the same bars, same great sound, only PORTABLE! This unit is not really designed for taking it apart and re-assembling constantly, and I think it is more worn as as result of that. Even so, it is still totally fine for gigs and recording.
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Appearance
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| A gorgeous instrument - and I get comments on it repeatedly at gigs or studios.
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Customer Support
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Rating:
| 9
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Comments:
| The little I've needed something from Gilberto in Chicago has been easy and efficient. He's great and he's doing THE WORLD a major service.
No manufacturer warranty at this point since Deagan no longer exists.
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Overall Rating
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| I would buy this instrument again (used, obviously), and in fact I would love to find one from the 40s or 50s as well, or at least the bars from back then. Nothing sounds as good. I'm a jazz player, although I've used it for salsa, rock, new age, etc. It works for everything, and well.
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