Any Danelectro rumor bass experts out there?

[ejaggers]

I'm looking at one like this one to restore but the electronics are shot,
so can anyone tell me what to use to replace the onboard effects?

Relevant if you're interested. Easy to ignore if you're not.

Mine. I love them (replaced pups, bridge, tuners, disconnected on-board effect). BUT they proved to be unstable in differing climates - neck will sometimes backbow for sitar-like effect. Oh well - they record great but I don't use them for everyday anymore. Still dig 'em - light as feathers!

View attachment 1783166

@Lowbrow, why did you disconnect onboard effects on yours?

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[Lowbrow]

I'm looking at one like this one to restore but the electronics are shot,
so can anyone tell me what to use to replace the onboard effects?
View attachment 4327993


@Lowbrow, why did you disconnect onboard effects on yours?

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Because I don't use chorus and I found it to be a very noisy circuit. On a kinda cheap bass like this making it simple as possible worked out the best strategy for me. I actually just broke one of these out recently and I'm enjoying it a lot. I do absolutely recommend swapping out the tuners at the very least if you want to gig with it as these are vital to it staying in tune reliably.

 

[ejaggers]

@Lowbrow,

Is that a unit that can be replaced with something else,
or strictly a component made for that base and nothing else will fit?

I believe it's kindda gimmickie but if I'm to restore it I'd like to know my options....057912

 

[Jim C]

Funny, I had a blue on and sold it and I live in MD.
I still have a black one. Decent playing cheap bass. The electronics are nothing to write home about.
If the bass is complete and you must restore, the small circuit board could be repaired by a decent tech.
OTOH, why not just find one in perfect working order. There is one on eBay right now for $250.

 

[JimmyM]

If it were me I'd get rid of the gimmicky stuff and throw a good pickup in it.

 

[Lowbrow]

@Lowbrow,

Is that a unit that can be replaced with something else,
or strictly a component made for that base and nothing else will fit?

I believe it's kindda gimmickie but if I'm to restore it I'd like to know my options....057912

I really wouldn’t know.

If it were me I'd get rid of the gimmicky stuff and throw a good pickup in it.

That’s what I did, along with upgrading bridge and tuners. Good playing and good sounding P type now. Super light.

 

[ejaggers]

@Jim C,
Yeah, I saw the one on eBay for $250, but my hobby is modding/improving basses that are worth the effort.
I'm in search of a new toy, either a mod project or a 5 string intact.
I've been searching for a fiver for a good while but haven't seen anything that blows me away in my price range.

@JimmyM and @Lowbrow,
I had planned to restore/UG the gimmicks and replace the PUP as well but ended up passing on it.
That's why I was asking if a better effects component would fit, I don't know what it looks like under the hood.

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[DeliriumTremens]

If it were me I'd get rid of the gimmicky stuff and throw a good pickup in it.

The gimmick would be the appeal to me...

 

[Lowbrow]

@JimmyM and @Lowbrow,
I had planned to restore/UG the gimmicks and replace the PUP as well but ended up passing on it.
That's why I was asking if a better effects component would fit, I don't know what it looks like under the hood.

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I see now that the on-board effect was broken ... I believe my 2 Rumors probably contain this effect still, and I don't believe they were broken when I disconnected them. Too bad you passed as we could probably have worked out a deal on those .

 

[ejaggers]

We never saw the original description of the bass for sale, only the pic you posted. Did it say that the on-board effect was broken?

Yes

 

[Lowbrow]

Yes

See my edited post above

 

[ejaggers]

I see now that the on-board effect was broken ... I believe my 2 Rumors probably contain this effect still, and I don't believe they were broken when I disconnected them. Too bad you passed as we could probably have worked out a deal on those .

The bid has expired, but I really need to throw my coins at a fiver anyway, so I'm not heartbroken about it.
I'm considering a refin on my T-40 but it really doesn't need it, I just saw an awesome color that I like.
Kind of a cure looking for a disease scenario.....057912

 

[JimmyM]

The gimmick would be the appeal to me...

I can respect that position but if the gimmick is as bad as Lowbrow says, then I'd just rather have a good solid pickup in there.

 

[ejaggers]

I can respect that position but if the gimmick is as bad as Lowbrow says, then I'd just rather have a good solid pickup in there.

Agreed,
but it would have been pretty cool to tear out all the cheap stuff and upgrade the electronics including the gimmick.
Maybe use a custom Benson PUP, John has them for auction on eBay every now and then....057912