Dean JC-QM-12-TGE / 12-String Jumbo Cutaway / compare with Gretch Guild Alvarez Takamine

It was around 2008. I think I had just wrapped BIG STAN.

Two weeks stuck in a stifling prison in Stockton. I needed a treat.

I decided to treat myself to a 12-string guitar.

I figured I'd pick up a Martin or a Guild or maybe a Taylor.

I headed for one of the 32 Guitar Centers in my neighborhood.

There I met a very pretty sales associate, who very excitedly told me:

I had to try the Dean.

(This was only her 3rd day, so Guitar Center had yet to crush her soul.)

I'll admit to being surprised at how good this guitar sounded.

Its got a big sound.

And how easy it was to play for a 12-string, and it was only $399.

The cheapest Taylor would have set me back around $2K.

In the end I didn't have the heart to NOT buy this guitar, from this wonderfully exuberant young lady.

(I also figured I could always return it on her day off.)

Well I never ran into my ebullient GC sales associate again,

but I still have the Dean.

Problem is its getting a bit too difficult for me to play.

I've developed carpal tunnel syndrome.

At 72 I still play my 33 guitars several hours a day. Not all at once.

I even put on Stringjoy 9-42 Super Lights. Helped a little.

Anyway time to sell the 12-string.

The bridge was secured about ten years ago. Solid ever since.

The guitar had been played often, up until about a year ago.

I attached a video I found of someone playing this Dean.

Cheers.

From Dean himself maybe:

The Dean JC-QM-12-TGE Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic-Electric 12-String Guitar has a big orchestral sound. It combines popular jumbo body design with gorgeous looks and innovative Dean designs. The Dean acoustic features beautiful quilted maple top, back and sides, green abalone rosette, and the Dean-designed ebony bridge. The cutaway allows full access to the super-fast Dean fretboard and the Elan-4TN electronics with 3-band EQ and a built-in tuner make this jumbo 12-string guitar ready for the stage or studio.

Features:

• Body Style: Jumbo 12-string with cutaway
• Top: Quilted maple
• Back: Quilted maple
• Sides: Quilted maple
• Neck: Mahogany
• Scale Length: 25-1/2"
• No. of frets: 21; open: 14
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Inlays: Mother-of-pearl dots
• Nut width: 1-7/8"
• Binding: White with b/w/b/w purfling pattern
• Rosette: Green Abalone
• Bridge: Ebony Dean design
• Saddle: compensated
• Width at Upper Bout: 12-2/16"
• Width at Lower Bout: 17"
• Maximum Depth: 4-3/4"
• Finish: Gloss
• Tuners: Chrome sealed Die-cast
• Electronics: Dean Elan-4TN preamp with 3-band EQ, Presence and a built-in tuner