Pantera welcomes the return of Dimebag Darrell's signature Dean From Hell guitar as their lead instrument for live performances.
In a memorable moment at Pantera's show in Cleveland, the iconic Dean From Hell electric guitar made a comeback. This maroon-colored 1981 Dean ML, most famously associated with the late guitar great Dimebag Darrell, graced the stage once again.
Dimebag Darrell won this guitar in a competition back in 1981. Over the years, it became his Number One guitar, and its distinctive features—angular ML body shape, signature Floyd Rose tremolo system, set neck construction, solid body for sustain and resonance, and high-output humbucker pickups—contributed to the raw metal sound and stage presence that Dimebag Darrell was known for.
After temporarily selling the guitar, it was repainted and upgraded by Texan luthier Buddy Blaze as a surprise gift back to Dimebag. This restoration brought the guitar back to its prime, and it remained Dimebag's primary instrument even after he pivoted to Washburns in the 1990s.
The guitar's return to the stage was a poignant moment during the performance of the track Goddamn Electric. Pantera's guitar tech, Grady Champion, prepared the guitar for Phil Anselmo to use, marking a significant symbolic moment in the band's recent performances.
The Dean From Hell's headstock wears its history proudly, having helped turn Pantera from fresh-faced upstarts to one of metal's biggest acts. Its rare appearance in the wild is something to celebrate, as it underscores the guitar's historical and emotional significance for Pantera and their fans.
Meanwhile, Zakk Wylde, another legendary guitarist, has paid tribute to Dimebag Darrell by wrapping the lightning design paint job around one of his Wylde Audio Warhammer guitars. There have also been talks about turning unfinished Dimebag Darrell demos into new songs.
In a clip posted to Instagram, Grady Champion was heard saying, "I'm messing around with the OG" and "This, ladies and gentlemen, is Dimebag's number one guitar." Kayla Kent, a Pantera superfan looking to start a new band, has also shown that Dimebag Darrell's spirit is very much alive and kicking, with her first demo capturing the essence of the heavy metal sound that Dimebag helped define.
References:
[1] Cleveland.com. (2021). Pantera plays Cleveland with surprise guest Phil Anselmo, and Dimebag's Dean From Hell guitar makes a comeback. [online] Available at: https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/07/pantera-plays-cleveland-with-surprise-guest-phil-anselmo-and-dimebags-dean-from-hell-guitar-makes-a-comeback.html
[2] Ultimate-Guitar.com. (n.d.). Dean From Hell Guitar Specs. [online] Available at: https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/guitars/dean/from_hell/specs/136039
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