Look for a distinctive serial number located on the back of the headstock. Dean guitars made in the United States have a seven-digit serial number. The first two numbers indicate the year the guitar was manufactured. The succeeding numbers are the Dean production numbers.Look for the Vintage Dean's classic V-shaped neck that points up and out the top of the guitar. Examine the headstock and body.
Dean Bass Guitar Serial Number Lookup
Dean's first models, made in 1977, had extremely pointed headstocks and bodies.Check for special characteristics specific to the vintage models. Look for the Dean logo and autographs by Dean on the headstocks.