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Danelectro '58 Longhorn

caeman

caeman

The Root Master
Sep 17, 2008
7,334
345
Ohio
#1
Another bass I took the time to fondle at Sam Ash this past weekend was a Danelectro '58 Longhorn.

The string action felt okay to me and the weight of the bass was awesomely light. But, I could never own one of these basses. Why? The Longhorn look. One aspect of happy bass ownership is liking the look of one's bass, there is just something about that far-out longhorn look.

I am certain there are many happy owners of this bass, but I wish that Danelectro made a body shape a little less audacious. If they did, it would be the first 4-stringer I would consider owning.

I like the lipstick pups and their sound.
 
#3
Hi! I had one for several years but traded it in when touring in Germany in the early 70s. The neck was ideal and the action superb - it was a converted 5 string with a high B string. The mere lightness made it ideal for 5 sets a night and transporting around on tours. I was not in awe of the appearance and you could always check out the other Danelectro bass designs from late 50s early 60s. These models use the same p.ups.
These days, sound can be enhanced by FX units anyway.
 
#5
caeman said:
I am certain there are many happy owners of this bass, but I wish that Danelectro made a body shape a little less audacious. If they did, it would be the first 4-stringer I would consider owning.

I like the lipstick pups and their sound.
Click to expand...


You mean more like this ?

;)

DanelectroBass-front.jpg
 
#13
The mystery I want explained is why everyone here obsessively nitpicks over every real and imaginary flaw on every other bass but gives Danelectros, which are (usually) simply atrocious designs and builds, a total pass.

I just got done trying to straighten out some problems on a new "Dead On '58" Longhorn and just had to shake my head and walk away. There are just so many things wrong, even by Danelectro standards.
 
#14
Bongolation said:
The mystery I want explained is why everyone here obsessively nitpicks over every real and imaginary flaw on every other bass but gives Danelectros, which are (usually) simply atrocious designs and builds, a total pass.
Click to expand...

I can only speak from my own experience, but as someone who owns (and has owned) a reasonable number of high quality and high end basses, and can get a bit picky about flaws, I have to say that I have had virtually none of the problems and/or issues with my DC bass that you have been describing in your recent posts. Maybe mine is the exception, or maybe that first round of Korean reissues a decade ago were just built better, but mine is well constructed, has a straight neck with nice fretwork, knobs and pots that work flawlessly and are dead quiet (something I can't always say about some of my more pricey instruments), tuning keys that work fine (even if the hole on the E string is a bit small for some strings), and sounds great (not just to my ear, but also to most everyone who hears it). Yes, intonating it is a bit tough, but it's doable. In truth, the only thing I've had to fix is regluing in one of the silly little plastic strap buttons. Is it the best built bass I own? Not by a longshot. But I have played or owned enough low-end basses to make a reasonable comparison, and I think that at it's original price point Danos (at least mine!) stand up pretty darn well to the competition....and is a hoot to play!
 
#15
Bongolation said:
The mystery I want explained is why everyone here obsessively nitpicks over every real and imaginary flaw on every other bass but gives Danelectros, which are (usually) simply atrocious designs and builds, a total pass.
Click to expand...

I don't want to be rude, and I'm just offering a GUESS, but maybe it's because they just look cheap so people don't go in with high hopes. I have noticed some of the same things you have about them.
 
#16
Bongolation said:
The mystery I want explained is why everyone here obsessively nitpicks over every real and imaginary flaw on every other bass but gives Danelectros, which are (usually) simply atrocious designs and builds, a total pass.

I just got done trying to straighten out some problems on a new "Dead On '58" Longhorn and just had to shake my head and walk away. There are just so many things wrong, even by Danelectro standards.
Click to expand...

The expectations are so very low with these, that they are given the benefit of the doubt.

You have given up on this bass?
 
#18
cassius987 said:
I don't want to be rude, and I'm just offering a GUESS, but maybe it's because they just look cheap so people don't go in with high hopes. I have noticed some of the same things you have about them.
Click to expand...
But they aren't cheap, however cheap they may look. $349 will buy you a pretty nice conventional import bass these days, like the Squier CVs, or maybe even two SXs.

I think that's why I find it hard to understand why people aren't more discerning with the current production. :hmm:
 

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