'67 Silvertone Danelectro 1443 Dano Bass w/ OHSC Sears

kazuhank · #1 02-13-2011, 03:58 PM

1967 Silvertone Model 1443 Long Scale Bass with original hardshell case made by Danelectro in Neptune, NJ, USA. These were sold by Sears Roebuck. The 1443 model is somewhat rare and hard to find as they were made on the tail end of Danelectro's years of making instruments for Sears/Silvertone. This was also Danelectro's first long scale (34") bass, and fwiw, it's the model on which Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam had Modulus base his custom Bartolini-equipped bass.

This bass is in great player's shape, the only issues are that one of the knobs (the bridge pickup tone knob) is missing, part of the "S" on the Silvertone badge is broken off, there is a crack in the case (pictured), and there are several scuffs, some buckle rash, and a dime-sized wear mark on the lower bass-side bout that is through the wood (as can be seen in the photos).

The bass is in great playing shape, the dual lipstick pickups produce that classic Dano tone only coupled with the solid Fender-style body. The electronics are dead quiet and the three-way switch and all four pots work perfectly. It always gets a lot of attention and has that sick tone that Jerry Scheff loved. The large Precision style-body (it's too big for a standard Fender case) is lighter than you'd expect at just under 9 lbs. on the bathroom scale.

Due to the relative rarity, these are hard to come by and not listed for sale very often. The last one of these that was sold on eBay had a similiar amount of wear, NO logo badge, a bad 3-way switch, a loose and exposed ground wire, and NO case. It sold for $577 before shipping, with electronics issues and no case.

$625 shipped in the lower 48 and Paypal is okay. AK, HI, & Canada, please email first for a quote (NO INTERNATIONAL).

morguedoc71 · #2 02-13-2011, 05:28 PM

Bump for sweet vintage 60's mojo...GLWS!

kazuhank · #3 02-14-2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morguedoc71

Bump for sweet vintage 60's mojo...GLWS!

It's definitely got the 60s mojo!

Still available.

davidprice · #4 02-14-2011, 11:17 AM

I had one of these - terrific bass! Gigged with it, too. Hard to find and this is a good price.

GeneralElectric · #5 02-14-2011, 01:02 PM

What are the controls? V/T V/T?

Nut width?

Whats this sound like?

Trades?

kazuhank · #6 02-14-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

What are the controls? V/T V/T?

Nut width?

Whats this sound like?

Trades?

Yes, the controls are Volume/Tone and Volume/Tone

The nut width is 1 1/2" like a Jazz

The sound is similar to the other Dano models (DC, Hodad, or '63 Reissues) or the Lakland Jerry Scheff (without the preamp obviously), but more defined and rock oriented with the solid body. They are very responsive, getting tic tac tones with a pick and palm muting as you'd expect, but also great for overdriving, or playing with fuzz. These nail the old skool classic rock tones of the 60s, whatever that means. The last gig I played this on the drummer kept saying it sounded "Stonesy," FWIW.

It's all subjective, so I hope that helps.

Regards.

emblymouse · #7 02-15-2011, 12:59 PM

Under the radar cool bump. Bad timing for me tho...

**TRichardsbass** · #8 02-15-2011, 01:06 PM

How much bow in the neck? What is the distance from the fret where the neck meets the body and the bottom of the E string?

kazuhank · #9 02-15-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

How much bow in the neck? What is the distance from the fret where the neck meets the body and the bottom of the E string?

Sorry, it's already packed up to ship, so I can't get that measurement for you.

From reading several of your Dano-related posts, I know that you know these have no truss rod in them. There is relief in the neck, but it's not too much, or bowed. My only experience with these has been the 1444 and 1443 that I owned, and this one plays really well and has the action just where I like it.

I do play rock though and (obviously) am not into the boutique, strings on the fretboard type of setup.

If need be, I could rip the box back open, but the wife is in full-on nesting mode (the baby's due in hours) and would kill me if I opened another cardboard box right now.

I hope this helps.

kazuhank · #10 02-16-2011, 09:29 AM

AM bump.

kazuhank · #11 02-16-2011, 11:59 AM

Well, the nibbles have all dried up, so it looks like it's off to feeBay!

davidprice · #12 02-16-2011, 12:05 PM

Pity. One of the few basses I sold (one just like it) that I really regret having sold.

kazuhank · #13 02-16-2011, 12:35 PM

Agreed, these are great tone monsters. The newer Danelectro longscale models can't hold a candle to this thing (I've tried the DC, Hodad, '63 and they were all great, but not as great to my ears). Sometimes rare means no one's had a chance to check it out.

I'd still be glad to end the listing for a TB-er...

davidprice · #14 02-16-2011, 12:50 PM

Yes, agreed. I've had most of the different danelectro and danelctro made silvertone models and a coral wasp bass - and some of the reissues - this was the best.
Here's a video of a friend's band with one in action - my friend is the guitar player in the video but he owns the bass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF-Xga7mtPk
If I was still in the U.S. I'd probably be looking at buying it myself. On more important issues, good luck with the baby!

kazuhank · #15 02-17-2011, 11:36 AM

Sold on eBay.