The estate of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott announced it is suing Dean Guitars and ending its years-long relationship with the guitar maker.
Rita Haney, Dimebag’s long-time girlfriend and trustee of his estate, issued a statement regarding the lawsuit saying in part, “After much consideration, it is with great sadness that I announced the longstanding relationship between Dimebag and Dean Guitars is over. Unfortunately, we were forced to file a lawsuit against Dean Guitars on Monday, August 16th, for the reason set forth in the complaint that may be viewed at www.DimebagDarrell.com. It was necessary for us to end Dime’s endorsement of Dean Guitars to continue to honor and celebrate his legacy the way he deserves, and in the way he had laid it out.”
Haney detailed in her lengthy statement (which can be read in full below), “I made several attempts to amicably settle our dispute with Dean Guitars. However, it became clear to me that Dimebag’s relationship with Dean Guitars had come to an end when the new CEO of Dean Guitars told me that Dime has been dead for 16 years, and they could not make the money they once did (So basically, he’s used up??), and then continued on to tell me I should go somewhere else. Well…we will!”
Dean Guitars has yet to issued a public statement in response to this lawsuit.