{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Dean Bernardini | image = 14-06-09 RiP Chevelle Dean Bernardini 2.JPG | caption = Bernardini performing in 2014 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|12|27}} | birth_place = Deerfield, Illinois, U.S. | instrument = {{flatlist| * Bass * vocals }} | genre = {{flatlist| * Alternative metal * nu metal * {{nowrap|post-grunge}} * hard rock }} | occupation = | years_active = 2005–2019 | label = | past_member_of = Chevelle }}

'''Dean Bernardini''' (born December 27, 1973) is an American musician, best known as the former bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the rock band Chevelle.<ref name="fuse">{{cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2016/07/chevelle-dean-bernardini-interview-the-north-corridor|title=Chevelle's Dean Bernardini on Why 'The North Corridor' Represents 'A Defining Moment'|last=Jason|first=Lipshutz|date=July 1, 2016|work=fuse.tv|access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref> He joined the band in 2005 after the departure of Joe Loeffler, who had been a member of the group since 1995. Bernardini is also a noted visual artist and woodworker; the cover of the 2009 album ''Sci-Fi Crimes'' was an original 24''x48'' oil on canvas painting by Bernardini,<ref name="TPD">{{cite news|url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/csp/mediapool/sites/PressDemocrat/News/story.csp?cid=2275594&sid=555&fid=181|title=Band's new 'Sci-Fi Crimes' heads for parts unknown, and without Joe Loeffler|last=Tarradell|first=Mario|date=October 30, 2009|work=The Press Democrat|access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref> and he also supplied an original oil on canvas painting for the band's 2012 album ''Stray Arrows: A Collection of Favorites''.<ref name="ibanez">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibanez.com/artist/u_artist_detail.php?cat_id=2&artist_id=1147|title=Dean Bernardini - Chevelle|year=2014|work=ibanez.com|access-date=March 4, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304193949/http://www.ibanez.com/artist/u_artist_detail.php?cat_id=2&artist_id=1147|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History == Before Chevelle, Bernardini played drums in the Chicago band Liftpoint. Bernardini taught himself to play bass by listening to and attempting to copy bass lines on albums. The first album he played to was Muse's ''Absolution''.<ref name=bp001 /> When a former member left Chevelle, Bernardini, who is married to the Loeffler's sister, replaced him.<ref name="sbt">{{cite news|url=http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2011-10-02/news/30236842_1_christian-rock-band-joe-loeffler-christian-music|title="That was a big deal," Loeffler says. "It was an amazing..."|date=October 2, 2011|work=South Bend Tribune|access-date=March 4, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304194552/http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2011-10-02/news/30236842_1_christian-rock-band-joe-loeffler-christian-music|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In May 2006, Bernardini injured his left hand forcing the band to pull out of the first eight concert dates (from June 30 to July 26) with Nickelback and Hoobastank.<ref name=mtv001>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1532220/20060522/guns_n_roses.jhtml?headlines=true|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105040641/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1532220/20060522/guns_n_roses.jhtml?headlines=true|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2006|access-date=March 13, 2008|title=For The Record: Quick News On Kanye West, Tool, Cam'ron, Guns N' Roses, Kristen Bell, Three 6 Mafia & More|author=Mtv News Staff|publisher=Mtv News}}</ref> In September 2019, Bernardini announced he would take a hiatus from Chevelle to focus on his family and personal projects.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Childers |first1=Chad |title=Chevelle Bassist Dean Benardini To Exit After 2019 Tour |url=https://loudwire.com/chevelle-dean-bernardini-exit-after-2019-tour/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=7 November 2020 |date=September 22, 2019}}</ref>

== Equipment == In a feature in ''Bass Player'', Bernardini stated that he uses Gibson Thunderbird and Ibanez BTB bass guitars with Mesa Boogie Big Block 750 amplifiers and Mesa 8x10 cabinets for both clean and distorted tones.<ref name=bp001>{{cite web|url=http://www.bassplayer.com/article/chevelles-dean-bernardini/apr-07/26988|access-date=March 13, 2008|title=Chevelle's Dean Bernardini|author=Diane Gershuny|publisher=Bass Player Magazine Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314055647/http://www.bassplayer.com/article/chevelles-dean-bernardini/apr-07/26988|archive-date=March 14, 2008}}</ref> He is also a featured artist by both Gibson Guitars<ref name="gibson">{{cite web|url=http://www.lespaul.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/dean-bernardini-1027-2011.aspx|title=Gibson Exclusive: Chevelle's Dean Bernardini on Thunderbird Bass and More|date=November 3, 2011|work=lespaul.com|access-date=March 4, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304193554/http://www.lespaul.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/dean-bernardini-1027-2011.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Ibanez Guitars.<ref name="ibanez"/>

The Thunderbirds Bernardini plays are custom built by Ryan Loux of Loux Custom Instruments.<ref name="PG">{{cite news|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20752-rig-rundown-chevelle|title=Rig Rundown: Chevelle|last=Bohlinger|first=John|date=April 30, 2014|work=Premier Guitar|access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref> One is black with a {{convert|35|in|abbr=on}} scale and Chevelle logo inlays, and another is a white bass that features a custom inlaid fretboard inspired by a Picasso painting, and featuring Nordstrand pickups and an extended {{convert|35.375|in|abbr=on}} scale length.<ref name="PG"/> The Ibanez BTB570s are modified by Bernardini by refinishing and installing hand-made pickguards and Bartonlini pickups.<ref name="PG"/>

He uses custom gauge (65-85-115-130) GHS strings.<ref name="ghs">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghsstrings.com/dean-bernardini|title=GHS Artist Profile: Dean Bernardini|work=ghsstrings.com|access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref>

== Discography == {{Main|Chevelle discography}}

'''with Chevelle''' * ''Vena Sera'' (2007) * ''Sci-Fi Crimes'' (2009) * ''Hats Off to the Bull'' (2011) * ''La Gárgola'' (2014) * ''The North Corridor'' (2016)

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{Chevelle}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bernardini, Dean}} Category:1973 births Category:American heavy metal bass guitarists Category:Living people Category:Guitarists from Illinois Category:People from Deerfield, Illinois Category:American male bass guitarists Category:21st-century American bass guitarists Category:21st-century American male musicians Category:Chevelle (band) members