Legendary guitar designer/builder Dean Zelinsky and Rita Haney, aka “DimebagzHag,” lifetime partner and steward of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott’s legacy, have partnered to launch Dime GuitarZ, the exclusive home of official Dimebag Darrell guitars.
“The mission is simple. To build the guitars Dimebag Darrell would be playing today,” Haney said. “There seems to be a misconception that Dime had a relationship with the Dean Guitars of today. It simply isn’t true … Darrell never had a relationship with them. He was killed three weeks after signing the deal. He had a relationship with Dean Zelinsky. He went there because DZ brought him there, that was Dime’s only relationship. Dean Zelinsky built the beloved guitars he played, including the Dean from Hell. That is who Dime wanted building his guitars, and he stated that many times throughout his notes. In this case, imitation isn’t flattery, it’s a crime! Dime played Dean Zelinsky’s MLs when he had braces on his teeth and he died with one in his arms. Dime’s innovation for tech, his love and trust of DZ’s brilliance, THIS is what the direction of this company is, to fulfill those wishes.”
The first models to be introduced is the line of the highly sought-after Culprits. Dime fans know it as one of his earliest creations, originally produced in very limited numbers, establishing Darrell as a guitar designer.
The Culprit, while underplayed in the past, is being debuted in several Dimebag Darrell signature paint schemes, including Dime Slime, Dime Bolt and Black Jack. The USA Culprits will possess much of Zelinsky’s technology, including laser engraved snakeskin bodies and his patented Z-Glide Neck.
Z-Glide is a laser process Zelinsky developed to reduce friction by strategically removing much of the necks surface. As Zelinsky puts it, “We remove 72% of the necks surface. Your hand only comes in contact with 28%, the rest is air.”
All Dime Culprits will feature the new DimeBooster circuit. With a Getcha Pull of the push/pull tone pot, the player instantly gets up to 15DB of clean powerful boost. DimeBooster uniquely features “No Battery Required.” A 60- second charge via a USB-C cable provides more than 20 hours of Dime Boosted playing time.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a long and incredible career in the guitar business,” Zelinsky said. “I’ve had the opportunity to design guitars for some of the world’s greatest players, build successful companies, and spend my life doing what I love.
“At this stage of my career, there is nothing I would rather be doing than building the Dime GuitarZ line. Darrell did so much for my personal brand. Playing my guitar so prominently helped to introduce my designs to players all over the world. More importantly, Darrell was one of the most unique individuals I ever met. Authentic, loyal, passionate, and completely dedicated to his craft. I am actually most proud to call him my friend.
“This project is all about continuing the legacy of one of the most influential guitar players who ever lived. If there’s one thing I know for certain, Dime would never want us standing still. He’d be sitting right beside me, pushing boundaries, constantly taking his original designs to the next level to create the ultimate metal guitars.
“Keeping Darrell’s guitar designing legacy alive is an opportunity to give back to a friend who gave so much to me. His guitar playing fans throughout the world deserve to be able to get the real thing.
“After all the smoke clears from this 20-year saga, Darrell’s guitar designing legacy will still be important to millions around the world.
“After everything I’ve accomplished in this industry, helping carry Darrell’s legacy forward may be the most meaningful work I’ve ever done.”
Dimeguitarz.com and its retail affiliates are the only place to purchase official Dimebag Darrell licensed guitars.
Dimebag Darrell rose to worldwide fame as the lead guitarist of Pantera from 1981 to 2003. Following that band’s breakup, Dimebag and his brother, Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, formed Damageplan. Dimebag was killed onstage in 2004 while performing with Damageplan.
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