Dean Review: Exotica RSE Supreme

History:

Purchase: I bought my Supreme the first week they came out in May of 2002 from Oklahoma Vintage Guitars. I paid $599 including a case and shipping.

What I Like About This Dean Exotica RSE Supreme: It is a beautiful guitar. Has a real look of quality. It was not set up well when it arrived, took it to an expert luthier the first day and now the action is great. (expected to have it professionally set up anyway) I am still uncomfortable taking it outside or setting it down, as I don't want to get it scratched up. Looks like a very expensive guitar and seems to be built very well.

What I Do NOT Like About The Dean Exotica RSE Supreme: This guitar does not have a pick guard. It was getting scratches below the strings. I didn't want it to look like Willy Nelson's guitar, so I added a stick-on pick guard for about $10.00. The guard had to be trimmed a bit to look right as a stock pick guard interfere's with the Abalone trim around the sound hole. It looks great with the black pick guard. I would have been happier if it had come as acoustic only, as I don't use an amp, but wanted the supreme model.

Dean Exotica RSE Supreme Quality Rating: The bracing is improved over the other Dean models. (that's why I wanted the supreme) It appears to be expertly made and finished. Everyone who has seen it is impressed.

Review Summary: This guitar plays very well and looks better. It resembles a $3000 Taylor. I have not played a Taylor as they are out of my price range, but the supreme sounds very good. For a guitar in the $600 range, it is an excellent buy.

Rating of this Dean product: 5

This Dean Exotica RSE Supreme Acoustic Guitars Review Submitted By: Ron G

Review Date: 2002-09-21