Dean Razorback

The Dean Razorback is an electric guitar made by Dean Guitars. It is a variation of the Dean ML, and was designed by Dimebag Darrell shortly before his death. The Razorback was at first a USA only model, but has recently begun to be sold as an import model, making it cheaper to buy. Dimebag did have the chance to use the Razorback in a couple of live gigs, however his death came the night before he was scheduled to have a photoshoot with the "Rust Razorback" model, which was handmade by Dean Zelinsky, and the finish designed by Stephen Jensen.

Due to significant sales of the Razorback, Dean put the Razorback V into production. The Razorback consists of a standard 'Flying V' shape, with the signature points of the Razorback on each of its legs; the Razorback also has the notable headstock, a recognizable feature of the Razorback range and Dean guitars.

Dimebag Darrell also insisted that a special Razorback should be made in the style of Eddie Van Halen's 'Frankenstrat' guitar; this was done, but the standard black, white and red Van Halen style guitar has remained in the Dean Museum at Dean HQ in the USA, the yellow design was given to Van Halen.

2007 saw the addition of three new Razorback designs; the Razorback DB, this is a model with different and lower quality equipment that is aimed for people who feel the Razorback is overpriced but still want the quality and design of a US Razorback, it has Dean pickups instead of the EMG or Seymour Duncan and Dimarzio on the Razorback, it does not have a licensed Floyd Rose or any tremolo, it has a bolt-on neck construction instead of the set-in construction of the Razorback, and is not made of the normal mahogany as is the Razorback; the Razorback 255 is very similar to the Razorback apart from the neck, the neck on the 255 has a 25.5 scale length neck which gives 24 frets and easy access to the higher notes; and the Razorback 7 is very similar in materials and equipment to the Razorback but it has 7 strings (B E A D G B E) instead of the standard 6 on the Razorback and most other guitars. Another trait of the razorback is the double edged razor on the 12th fret of the neck. Similar to Dimebag's necklace,and famous necklaces from punks and cocaine addicts.

One of the most notable Razorback players is Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde; his Razorback has the 'bullseye' finish his many Gibson Les Pauls (and Flying V) and Epiphone Les Pauls are famous for. Wylde also uses a Dean Split Tail with this design, as the Split Tail is seen as a cross between the standard Gibson SG shape and the 'Flying V' shape used by many companies.

On January 19, 2008 Dean Guitars unveiled three new Razorback designs, one in tribute of the Pantera song "Cemetery Gates". Written across the body of the guitar are the words from the chorus: "will unlock my door, and pass the cemetery gates". Another is the 10,000th Commemorative Razorback in commemoration of ten thousand Razorbacks sold and features a diamond-plated steel finish. The third Razorback is a left-handed version of the Razorback Explosion.