Dimebag Darrell was playing a Washburn DR3D/Nuno Bettencourt Artist Series electric guitar when he died on stage in Columbus, Ohio on December 8th 2004. The model features an American Strat-style body made of mahogany with a flame maple top and neck through design. It has three Seymour Duncan pickups (1x JB bridge, 1x 59 middle and 1x Jazz neck) as well as gold hardware including Sperzel locking tuners and Hipshot tremolo system. Dimebag Darrell used this model for most of his live performances and recorded with it during his time with Damageplan.
Contents:
The History of Dimebag Darrell’s Guitars
Dimebag Darrell was a legendary guitarist of the 1980s and 1990s. He is remembered as one of the most influential rock guitarists of all time, pioneering many styles and techniques. Throughout his career, he had a wide array of guitars that he used to craft his signature sound.
It is known that Darrell’s first instrument was an old acoustic given to him by his grandmother. At fourteen years old, Dimebag bought himself a Fender Stratocaster which soon became his main guitar for live shows and recording sessions alike. His fascination with customizing instruments also started at this point in time, leading him to buy more parts for modding than what came standard on the original model.
After several years with the Stratocaster, Dimebag began experimenting with different shapes and configurations from other major brands such as Ibanez, Jackson, Schecter and Gibson Guitars. He formed many unique models throughout his life but it wasn’t until late 2004 when he found true success in his own design – The Dean Razorback V-shaped guitar; later called “The Dean From Hell” by fans worldwide due to its striking appearance and heavy metal tones. This model would become Darrell’s go-to choice up until 2005 when tragedy struck: while performing onstage during Damageplan’s show in Columbus Ohio that same year, Darrell was shot dead by an angry fan; still holding onto the trusty Dean Razorback V-shaped guitar in hand.
Dimebag Darrell’s Preferred Guitar Brand and Model
Dimebag Darrell was a legendary heavy metal guitarist and founding member of the bands Pantera and Damageplan. His career spanned over 30 years, during which he produced many classic albums that have gone on to shape the sound of heavy metal music today. One of his most iconic pieces of equipment was the guitar he used in live performances and studio recordings, which has now become synonymous with his memory.
Darrell’s preferred brand for both live shows and studio recordings was Dean Guitars. He had been playing their instruments since the early 80’s and they were one of his main sponsors throughout his career, even having several signature models released in collaboration with them. His favorite model from this company was the Razorback V with its instantly recognizable body shape featuring sharp angles and points as well as its unique pickups for a bright tone. This guitar is still extremely popular among hard rock/metal players to this day due to its association with Dimebag Darrell.
The last guitar Dimebag Darrell played before his death was also a Dean Guitar – The ML (also known as “The Legend”). It is believed that this instrument held special significance for him due to its traditional design; an homage to earlier hard rockers like Randy Rhoads or Eddie Van Halen who inspired him when he first started out in music. As such, it can be said that The ML serves as a fitting tribute to one of the greatest metal guitarists ever, serving as a reminder of how far modern heavy metal has come thanks largely in part to artists like Dimebag Darrell who helped bring it into mainstream popularity.
The Guitar Dimebag Darrell was Playing on the Night of His Death
On the fateful night of December 8, 2004, Dimebag Darrell was tragically killed while performing on stage. But what guitar was he playing during that performance?
At the time of his death, Dimebag Darrell had a signature series guitar made by Dean Guitars called “The Razorback”. This iconic instrument had a unique and easily recognizable shape due to its sharp angles. It featured two humbucking pickups and two single-coil pickups in an HSH configuration with separate volume controls for each pickup as well as a master tone control knob. The fretboard was ebony and it featured pearl inlays along with Grover tuners to help keep the strings in tune no matter how hard he strummed or plucked them. The body of this remarkable axe was crafted from mahogany wood which gave it a rich tone that could really cut through any mix.
This particular model of “The Razorback” that Dimebag Darrell was using on the night of his death also came equipped with custom EMG 81/85 active pickups which helped give it an even greater level of crunch and clarity than other guitars from this line. As such, this instrument truly provided him with all of the power and versatility needed to get his sound across loud and clear on stage – exactly like he wanted it to be heard by everyone who experienced his unforgettable performances.
Who owns Dimebag Darrell’s guitars now?
Dimebag Darrell was an influential and groundbreaking heavy metal guitarist who changed the face of music. As such, his iconic guitars are highly sought after by guitarists, collectors, and fans of his work. Since Dimebag’s tragic passing in 2004, the fate of his prized instruments has been a matter of great speculation amongst the metal community.
At present, ownership of Dimebag Darrell’s signature guitars is held mainly by two entities: Dean Guitars and Axis Collectibles. Dean Guitars acquired many of Dimebag’s guitars when they released their own line of signature models as part of their Dean USA and Dean From Hell series. These models were exact replicas built to honor Dimebag’s legacy and include models like The Razorback V Satin Black and The ML Venom Electric Guitar Satin Black with Rosewood Fingerboard – all beloved axes used extensively during Pantera tours prior to his death.
The remaining original versions reside with Axis Collectibles – a company founded by Ashley Emmons-Smith (Darrell’s fiancee at the time) that specializes in collecting rare memorabilia from rock history including apparel, artwork, posters & photography, autographs & documents, as well as musical instruments owned or played by musicians around the world. Through her expertise and close relationship with Dimebag Darrell himself before he passed away; it is believed that she now has possession over many exclusive pieces from his personal collection which have become highly valued collector items among music aficionados worldwide.
The Significance of Dimebag Darrell’s Guitars in Music History
Dimebag Darrell, born Darrell Lance Abbott, was one of the most influential and important figures in heavy metal music. His iconic guitars have become synonymous with the genre and serve as a lasting reminder of his legacy. During his lifetime, he used several different guitars which helped define his style and influence on music history. One guitar, however, has come to be known as “the last” – the Washburn Dimebolt that he played during Pantera’s performance at Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus Ohio on December 8th 2004 – the night that he tragically died onstage.
The Washburn Dimebolt featured signature graphics designed by Dimebag himself. This particular instrument became immortalized for its representation of the peak of Dimebag’s career as a musician and its significance in terms of music history is unparalleled. It serves as an enduring reminder of how far he had come from playing local shows in Texas to becoming a globally recognized artist and icon within metal culture.
The Washburn Dimebolt continues to inspire legions of new fans who discover it through vintage gear marketplaces such as Reverb and eBay or through various tributes across social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram. The unique shape and design have made it easily recognizable worldwide amongst musicians young and old alike – creating a lasting impact on generations to come long after his passing away in 2004.
Leave a Reply