I'm having fun with it. It turned out to be everything I was hoping for.
OUTSTANDING LOOKING GUITAR 🎸 I NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT THE BEST SOUNDING GUITAR I EVER HAD YOU GUYS OIT DID YOURSELF PLEASE KEEP UP THE OUTSTANDING WORK THANK YOU VERY MUCH SMITTY
No problem when my neck returned. I have a FretFX led light installed, and the adhesive had given out, so I had to re-glue it in place, no damage to the leds or wiring. The cuts were a bit rougher than I expected, but the neck is smooth on the touched surface, and definitely faster. I think a stain was applied, which I would have preferred not, but it blends. The patent number is engraved, also, which I didn’t expect. It’s small, only noticed by me, most likely.
Was it worth $200 plus shipping? Yes, indeed. I have small complaints, but the feel is superior to where it t was. Smoother, faster, a better feel on the back of the neck.
Broke the high e on the first bend but I might have been a little overly excited. Beautiful guitar. What gauge strings did I have put on this? Lol
Would love to see it first. I’m sure it will be awesome.. I would like to have the option of a soft sided case similar the one offered by PRS
I just received my Strettavita 2 days ago and I am in love. The resonance, playability and overall build quality has surpassed my expectations. A big Thank You to the team at Dean Zelinsky- you are true craftsmen!
I purchased the LeVoce blondwood in vintage sunburst as a Christmas present to myself. I now play Southern Gospel music and I write Southern Gospel songs and list them with BMI. I wrote for a while for Crossroads Music and have had several songs on the radio. I now have formed my own publishing company. I also play for my church's praise team and the LeVoce is an absolute dream guitar to play. Aside from the stunning beauty of this instrument the action is the best I've ever played. I used to favor the Fender Telecaster and the Paul Reed Smith's guitars but the Levoce outplays them all. I will be getting a Strettavita next! Thanks Dean for your awesome work. I couldn't be happier!
Every thing demonstrated in the LaVoce video/s is true. The tones are magic especially for me the piezo humbucker blend. It’s light, thin on the edges, plays great and the neck is superb- sliding easily between chord or solo changes. I am so pleased with this guitar. Because I write songs in a variety of genres the easy movement between pickup sounds means I can switch between a heavy blues, a finger picking folk or a rock song easily. Thanks Dean and the team.
I replaced the pickguard on my 2000 Mexican Strat with an ATW Loaded Pickguard. After having a few days to play and adjust to the new pickups the change is amazing. I was going to replace the guitar; I just couldn't stand the cheap ceramic Mexican pickups any longer. They sounded dead, terrible tone. I have no plans to replace the guitar now. It will take a couple days to find the tone you really love, but you will find it. Like having a new guitar with the same feel. If you own a Strat and are not happy with the tone of the old pickups, I highly recommend this as a fix. I would buy this loaded pickguard in a second, I just love it!! Thank you, Dean, for such an incredible product.
I’ve always heard about Dean and his guitars. And while I’ve been a telecaster guy most of my life I played just about everyone there was and so far this is the only one that’s got all the tone in the world.
Probably the best thing was though is I talk to Dean personally and he helped me revise my order and make selections that would fit me better. Thank you Dean.
I’ve owned all the S-style and the T-Style guitar made by the company Leo started. Honestly, I play guitar pretty decent already on my old tried and true. But the Delterra has eclipsed all of them.
I ordered my LaVoce and received it promptly in 2 days, right before Christmas. The guitars is flawless, a beautiful instrument. It plays smoothly and easily, I’m not sure I needed the Z-Glide neck but I like it. The guitar has many “voices” it will take me a while to learn them all.
I’ve owned Hamer’s when they were made in Palatine, IL, PRS McCarty 594 10 top, many Les Paul’s, Fender’s, but the key word is “owned”. Like Old McDonald, had a dog, had a farm, you get the picture. I never have had the, “this is the one feeling” until now. My LaVoce is a keeper.
Thank you Dean and your team. Happy Holidays!
I bought my first Dean Zelinsky guitar last year as a Christmas gift to myself. I ordered the Dellaterra Paisley in Butterscotch and WOW..was I happy when it arrived. It is a work of art with all the bells and whistles crafted in immaculate detail. The Z-glide neck and the ATW wiring are Dean
patented specifics that you won't find any where else. I was so pleased with this guitar that I decided I had to have another one. This time I got the LeVoce in vintage sunburst and I think I like this one even more than the first one. Every detail is beautifully crafted and the finish is spectacular. Those critics who say Dean won't last have obviously never held or played one. Dean's creations compete with the best Gibsons and Fenders but at a much better price point. I've played and owned them all ( over 55 guitars to my collection ) and these beauties are better in quality, workmanship, and over all esthetics than anything on the guitar market. Go ahead and get yourself one...you won't regret it!
First time buying something this range on line, or from Zelinsky. It is gorgeous. Set up and tone amazing. I should have investigated more or found a way to play one before ordering, the neck is a little thin for my taste. But that is on me... I'll adjust. It is a beautiful smooth playing instrument.
I've been the proud owner of a Cherry Burst La Voce Private Stock Dean Zelinsky guitar (Serial: S160894) for several years and as a collector and professional entertainer (Lead Guitarist for Whitehead). I am here to tell you that this instrument is a piece of art! Having played Gibson, Les Paul's, and Fender Stratocaster's most of my stage career in bands like the Sidewinders, The Boston Complex, The Billy Baslow Band just to name a few, I must say that Dean's guitars are truly special and a must to own and play if you are a serious musician!
Special Note:
The author of this review is Tom Maroney aka "Boston Tommy" circa 1966 and is an accomplished bandleader and performer from the 60's, 70's and 80's rock movements in the Boston area.
My custom-built engraved copper paisley Dellatera arrived today. It's absolutely beautiful! It also sounds amazing -- it's everything I hoped it would be (including a a robust "country-twang" sound that I've been seeking). The pickups and switching system provide considerable sonic signature versatility. This is probably one of the first high-end guitars I've had built over the years for which I didn't need to modify the action (that doesn't mean that there was anything wrong with my other custom guitars; string height preferences vary between players). Thank you Dean for continuing your legacy of building fine instruments!
I’ll admit, I was first drawn to Dean’s guitars due to the beauty of the finishes. They are works of art and would be worth it just to hang on your wall… but, don’t. My Tag plays so smoothly and without effort that I wouldn’t think it possible. But, fortunately, it is.
The case is also first class. I’m sure this won’t be my only Zelinsky purchase, but I’ll have to wait to try to do this one justice first ;)
Thank you Dean for having the patience to talk me through the selection yourself. AWESOME!
Mike
This is the best guitar and experience buying a guitar that I have never had..best built guitar you can buy .hands down..service was on point spoke with Dean one on one.If your a player you need Atleast once of Deans guitars in you collection of not more.Thank you Dean
This is the second review I've written about my LaVoce. So forgive me if I repeat myself, although I'm approaching this review from a different angle. Let's start with this preface: the LaVoce certainly has Gibson's Les Paul as its inspiration. That said, Dean has captured the BEST of Gibson's design and engineering, then improved upon it. I have owned several dozen LP's over the years. Within a few feet of where I'm typing this I have a 60th Anniversary '59 Reissue (maybe the very best LP I ever owned, but a $6500 instrument), a "The Les Paul" from the late 70's (maybe the most expensive guitar Gibson made until they got into signature and reissue instruments), a beautiful quilt-top Florentine, an '80 Standard, and a couple of others. At my age I am mostly selling, rather than buying. But short of an honest '59 'Burst, I've owned every LP that was ever on my "gotta have that" list. I was always an LP snob. Most of my guitar buddies were LP snobs. If not "LP" snobs, at least Gibson snobs. Although I tried dozens of LP-type instruments (by Epiphones and a whole host of other clones, including Chinese copies), I always felt the genuine Gibsons were the very best of what I was searching for. When I finally discovered Dean's Private Label, the handful of reviews I read in guitar magazines and online finally made me say, "what the hell" and I ordered one (a Dellatera). Mightily impressed, I ordered a "LaVoce". So here I go repeating myself... After playing Gibson LP's for 40-plus years, I found myself asking, "why in the hell hasn't Gibson done this?" I understand...I understand...Gibson has a winner with the LP and doesn't want to vary much from the successful formula. They might do a double-cutaway model, coil-tapping, fancy tops, etc. But they have done NOTHING like this. I own some Gibsons (very expensive Gibsons) that have tops like my LaVoce. I own some Gibsons that sound amazing and have a great playing feel. But I have NEVER owned a Gibson that has everything this LaVoce has. Let me start with weight, thickness, and body contours. Those alone are enough to make an old man consider jumping ship. The quilted top on this guitar is right up there with the very best Gibson, PRS, Carvin and others have produced. So as a thing of beauty, it's in the top ranks. But the sounds just put it over the top. Until you play with all the options (including acoustic sounds), you just can't truly understand why I'm leaving another review. The blonde (maple) neck I chose for mine has the Z-Glide treatment and has (for me) a slightly unusual V-shaped neck. "Why would they do that," I wondered. Well, the more you play it, the more you "get" it. The depth at the top (or bottom, as you see it), gives you leverage, but the slim shoulders make the neck feel much thinner than it really is. In short, it makes for an incredibly cool feel for playing. I can't help picking this guitar up half a dozen times a day and just playing acoustically. Not only is it visually inspiring, but it just fits your hands and body (mine, at least) like an old well-worn glove. So forgive me for this second review, and forgive me for sounding almost maudlin, but as of now, this is the favorite guitar I own. Here is the most important point I want to make. I just stumbled across DZPL guitars by reading a review (of the Dellatera) in a guitar magazine. Otherwise, I would have probably not known Dean was back in business making custom guitars. If I (after decades of loving Gibson LP's above all others) have discovered a replacement that blows them away, and if I (a Gibson snob) have to admit that I finally found something better, how long will it take for others like me to stumble across these wonderful instruments. Fellows (and maybe a lady or two), get these while you can, while they are still affordable (relatively), as I have a feeling someday these will be seen as something special.
My desert Island guitar arrived and I am so happy! I saw the video demonstration of the ATW pick up configuration and I was sold. I ordered a Strat style and finished it like a Les Paul with an Ebony fretboard. It's my StratoPaul. Or my LesCaster! I got chrome pick ups and a sunburst flamed top. It is absolutely the best of both worlds. Love the textured neck, the finishing is exquisite and it plays and sounds like a dream. And just look at it! The Vibrato system is amazing and stays in tune incredibly well. If I had to sell all of my guitars and keep one, this would be it. Amazing craftsmanship. I am so happy! Nice work Dean and Team!😀
I purchased both a Dellatera paisley and a LaVoce white engraved with tremalo. My Son, Grandson and I share them and love them.
If Dean does a twelve string, I'm on board.
I have had strait up many Dean Guitars for years. When DBZ production guitars came out I bought a Bolero, Then the Dean Zelinsky Guitars came out and I am generally skeptical of direct-to-consumer business models, I would see that as just a marketing term. Mr. Zelinski raised his game yet a third time, now after having many multiple era orig Dean guitars and 1 DBZ. I thought I would not invest in another venture, after all how many guitars does a guy need... Well apparently 1 more. So at first sight I fell in love with the radical quilts that Mr. Zelinski was doing, and he had a new twist a Zglide neck. And my curiosity got the best of me so I ordered it. I was told it was going to be a bit over a month to fill the order... Ok I hoped it was worth the wait. On a whim I sent an odd request. Could Mr Zelinski personalize my guitar and sign it and write my name on the guitar I order. I got an email back the next day. No problem it will be done.... Ok so they actually care and really do read emails. This is great. About 5 days later they emailed me and said they had one Guitar that was planned else where and it did not go and it was the model I ordered and would I like that one because It would ship right away. I asked back for pix of the actual guitar so I could see the Quilt. No prob later that day just as promised multiple pix of that guitar show up in my email... It is beautiful.. You bet go for it and it was shipped right away. When I got the guitar right away I opened the box and the first thing I see is a way above class case. It was fab tweed like a high end fender with the spider logo, I open it up and it has a beautiful velour guitar cover like a Gibson High end case.. Mr Zelinski skipped no detail. And the Guitar fit like a glove! I was very impressed, I slip back the covers and just as promised was the thing of beauty from the pix, they are good for their word. First thing I do is pick it up and flip it to see the back of the head stock and it was personalized to me with the date! Ok all the boxes were checked for what meets the EYE, how does it sound and how does it feel. Ok it balanced great, no head stock dive. after playing about every BC Rich that was a plus. That Z neck is terrific and it is quite fast!!!! Ok another plus. The trem works like a champ,,, And DOES STAY TUNED.... Check that box. The set up perfect, this is not a Guitar center set up, that the second you get it, you need to hand it over to your favorite tech to actually set it up. Nope this guitar is still in tune from Zelinski to me. And with the string gauge I asked for. Why set it up and change the string gauge right away only to have to tweak your set up. Another point of detail. I start to look at the details like high-end hardware, locking tuners, great knobs, smooth pots, no crackle nut set up and material. Good Plug. It is basically flawless. Ok Looks Check, Feel check, set up Check, components check. But a guitar is only as good as it sounds.. The most fab looking guitar is still junk if it sounds like garbage. So into the mesa amp it goes. At first I thought it sounded fine,,,, In the neck position great,,, but the bridge pup was kinda thin! I was just about to kick my self for going with that single coil pups. I should have done the humbuckers.... I was just about to email with what is required to swap the bridge for a humbucker pup. I was working in the studio on a song I had written and frankly got side tracked in the studio... I had been having a hard time getting a guitar tone that would cut this thick milkshake of a mix, this track had a lot going on. So I grabbed my new tool, plugged it in and recorded that part... That single coil cut through that mix like a LAZER. The guitar was perfectly heard, every note, but not irritating. I had to do NO EQ. It was exactly the tool I needed. But My new Tagliare cut right through and cleaned up the whole vibe.... saved my mix, made my mix job easier. So if you think crap this is just a bit thin,,, befor you grumble, try it with other musicians or in the studio! This may be a tad thin for noodling alone. But when it is time to actually work and not noodle in the bedroom this monster COMES ALIVE. Over all this is one of my faves and will not cycle out and be traded off as other guitars have. She is a keeper.
