DBZ Guitars was founded in 2008 by Dean B. Zelinsky — the original founder of Dean Guitars — along with partners Jeff Diamant and Terry Martin. Based initially out of Houston, Texas, with a USA production facility in the Chicago area, the company launched with roughly 68 models spanning electric and acoustic instruments at street prices from around $350 to $6,000. Production was tiered across a USA Series built in Northbrook, Illinois, an Infinity Series made in Japan, and imported entry-level models built in Korea.

DBZ became known for a lineup rooted in classic rock and metal designs reworked with Zelinsky's ergonomic preferences. Notable models included the Barchetta, a carved-top shred-oriented double-cut; the Bolero, a single-cut take on the mahogany/maple-top formula with a soft-V neck (offered in a distinctive Croc Skin finish); and the Imperial, a super-thin solid-body electric with a semi-hollow-like silhouette. Guitars shipped with DBZ-branded humbuckers and the company's signature neck profile.

In 2012, Zelinsky parted ways with Diamant and Martin to start his own separate venture, and the remaining company rebranded first as DBZ/Diamond and then as Diamond Guitars, dropping the DBZ name entirely by late 2014. DBZ-branded instruments remain in circulation on the used market through Reverb, eBay, and other resellers.

DBZ has 11 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Extended Range Guitars, and Acoustic-Electric Guitars. Their gear is featured by 7 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Metal, and Electronic. Notable users include Lewis De Jong, Tommy Church, and John Corabi.