Paul, I agree whole heartedly on your opinions.
It's sad that the market is driven by money instead of promoting a great product.
Didn't EVH patent the stripe pattern that he made famous, to keep others from making money that "would/should" be his?
He should be honored that kids and players continue to look up to him.
You're right he hasnt done anything ground breaking in atleast the last 10 years, maybe more, so I dont agree with him riding the horse of his past legacy to the death, but instead be humbled that despite the fact that he's not at the forefront of todays playing, he is still revered.
Maybe he will see another money making gimmick and introduce EVH-"Krylon" spray paint, and complimentary "Wolfgang masking tape".

...such douchery, I tell ya
Also that's one of the main reasons that I dislike Dean guitars (among others) is that they are soley focused on aiming their products (most times inferior) to 12-13 year old kids, who most of them weren't even around when Dimebag was doing his thing.
It's sad because Dean has some nice products as well, it's just wading thru the shit to get to them that tires me.
I dont like the 24-3/4 scale or the Gibson-style neck profile, and medium jumbo frets, so thats why I never bothered with them much.
If I were to buy a Dean, and it's unlikely, I would opt for an older one.
Same with Kramer,ESP,Ibanez,Charvel and even Jackson.
To me, and for my playing style, I prefer the older guitars 10 fold over anything built in the last 10 years.
I've bought atleat 1 new guitar every year for them past 6-7 years and each one was either sold off or stripped for parts, including that '08 DK2 that I got a few months ago.
I'm a picky bastard, but I like what I like, and that's all I will play. Cant blame me there can ya?
Fuck the propaganda and advertisements, I dont care who played what.
Besides, Dime's best tone IMO, was on Cowboys and Vulgar anyway. Using what? A 1981 Dean ML, Bill Lawrence L500XL, and a Randall Century 200, and a Furman PQ-3 rack EQ.
That's the shit I'd buy if I were striving to be a Dimebag Jr.
Not knocking Dave and Scott, because they obviously have their own sound and they play their Deans because it fits them and they love 'em as well as I love my Jackson/Charvels and old Kramers. That's something there that I respect very much even though I fuck with them cause it's not a Jackson
One day they will see the light..
Once you go Jackson, you never go back, son
..or is that "once you go black, you never go back?"
Either way it's all the same.