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Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
VS
Playability
80
Sound
74
Build
70
Value
60
Score
75
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Playability
77
Sound
74
Build
62
Value
71
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
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Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary vs Michael Schenker Custom Flames

Reasons to Get
Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary over Michael Schenker Custom Flames

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs South Korea
Built with higher quality standards
Release Year
2021 vs 2009
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
V vs C
Great if you like to hang your thumb over the fretboard
Scale Length
24.6'' (624.8mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone

Reasons to Get
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames over USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary

Neck Profile
C vs V
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 24.6'' (624.8mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Value Score
71 vs 60
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary vs Michael Schenker Custom Flames

No Key Differences Found

Shared Features
Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary vs Michael Schenker Custom Flames

Bridge Pickup
USA DMT Lights Out
Same Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
USA DMT Lights Out
Same Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
2
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary is probably the better product overall with its final score of 75 compared to the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's 71 score, although not by a lot.

The Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary wins when it comes to playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary is the better choice.

The Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary Overview

  • From Dean's 2021 Artist series
  • Michael Schenker Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic (With V Plate) bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Overview

  • From Dean's 2009 Artist series
  • Michael Schenker Signature
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • C Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary and Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary and Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 51
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 74
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 51
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 74

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary compares to the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary is built in United States while the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames is made in South Korea.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

Winner: Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Ivory Tusq nuts. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. Both come with Grover.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary
Quality of materials 61
Features 50
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 70
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
Quality of materials 61
Features 50
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 62

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 43mm (1.693'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary's Scale Length
Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary's Scale Length
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's Scale Length
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames has the longest scale: 24.75". The Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary is only 24.6" long. This is a 0.15'' (3.8mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary Neck Profile
Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary's neck profile
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Neck Profile
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary has a V type of neck. This neck shape was more common during Fender's early years. Some people like it because they use their thumb over the edge of the fretboard to press the lower strings. It's rather thicker than most modern necks, so it's not usually used for playing fast solos.

The Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary and the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary favors large hands more than the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames.

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary and Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary
Bending & Vibrato Ease 100
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 80
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 55
Solo Playability 80
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary vs Michael Schenker Custom Flames
General Dean USA Michael Schenker 50th Anniversary Michael Schenker Custom Flames
Brand: Dean Dean
Year: 2021 2009
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States South Korea
Series: Artist Artist
Colors: Custom Custom
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Eastern Mahogany
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic (With V Plate) Tune-O-Matic
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover Grover
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany Eastern Mahogany
Decoration: Pearl Block Pearl Block
Scale Size: 24.6" 24.75"
Shape: V C
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker / Passive) USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker / Passive) USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 2
Tone Controls: 1 1