Danelectro Baritone as a bass?

[mange656]

This should address the tuning as well as cover the Bass 6 general info on the Danos

 

[bass_drum]

Don't give up. Think about it. I did not know how a 6-string short scale bass/baritone guitar was tuned at first, but I've been playing normal bass for almost 30 years and I know exactly what I am talking about. A normal 4-string bass is tuned EXACTLY like the first four strings of a normal guitar, same EXACT octave of E,A,D,G. You go down to a B when adding another lower string on a bass (or 7-string guitar). Baritone guitar is tuned down to an A which is one full step LOWER than a B on a 5-string bass or 7-string guitar. That is FACT. At least when considering standard tuning.

No offense, but how the hell do you go about playing bass for 30 years without knowing that a bass is an octave below a guitar?

I don't know if you understand yet but I will try to draw this out...

A Six string guitar is tuned : E A D G B E
(standard, one octave above bass)
A Seven string guitar is tuned: B E A D G B E
(a low B added to the guitar)
A Baritone guitar is tuned: * B E A D G B
(same as 7 string guitar, minus high E)
A Bass guitar is tuned: E A D G
(an octave below the 4 lowest strings of a guitar)
A Typical 5 string bass is tuned: B E A D G
(note the added low B, much like a 7 string guitar)
A Bass Six is tuned: E A D G B E
(one octave below a six string guitar).


*Some baritones are tuned A-A meaning they tune another full step below the tuning previously stated.

I put the word "Typical" in italics because some people string their 5 string basses E-C, adding a high C string in place of a low B.

I reserve the right to be wrong, and correct me if I am, but this is how I have come to understand tunings of different guitars/basses.

Hopefully this has helped anyone who didn't quite understand!

Justin B.

 

[Showdown]

In theory, you would be able to convert the Dano between a bass 6 and bass 4. Enjoy.

I converted a Dano 6 to a 4 by changing the neck and bridge. I bought a new Longhorn neck and bridge and they fit perfectly. The neck even came with tuners. And I can change it back anytime.

 

[mange656]

I converted a Dano 6 to a 4 by changing the neck and bridge. I bought a new Longhorn neck and bridge and they fit perfectly. The neck even came with tuners. And I can change it back anytime.

You are correct!! If you have the non baritone 6. If you have the baritone 6 then all you need is the bass nut and bridge and presto Dano 6 becomes Dano 4 with a savings of at least $80.00 because you didn't have to buy the longhorn neck.

Thanks Mange*

 

[Showdown]

You are correct!! If you have the non baritone 6. If you have the baritone 6 then all you need is the bass nut and bridge and presto Dano 6 becomes Dano 4 with a savings of at least $80.00 because you didn't have to buy the longhorn neck.

Thanks Mange*

I have the baritone 6, and could have done it that way, but would have been left with two unused tuners on the headstock which would have looked lame.

 

[mange656]

I have the baritone 6, and could have done it that way, but would have been left with two unused tuners on the headstock which would have looked lame.

For the six string guitar to bass 4 what body style did you convert?

I believe the 59 DC and U2 body styles will work. The bassist for the Cowsills has done it to a 56 U3 select o matic model in aqua sparkle.

Thanks

 

[Showdown]

For the six string guitar to bass 4 what body style did you convert?

I believe the 59 DC and U2 body styles will work. The bassist for the Cowsills has done it to a 56 U3 select o matic model in aqua sparkle.

Thanks

It is a U2.

 

[BassDudeSA]

No offense, but how the hell do you go about playing bass for 30 years without knowing that a bass is an octave below a guitar?

.

I was just kidding about all that, but I was confused about the tuning of the baritone guitar and 6-string short scale bass as I had never had any experience with either.

 

[mange656]

It is a U2.

Thanks for the fast reply.* I may go that route myself with a U2.

 

[Showdown]

This is it as a 4 string. I like it a lot.

 

[mange656]

This is it as a 4 string. I like it a lot.

Most excellent. I will have a 4 or 6 in that style by months end.

Thanks for the photo.

 

[Verne Andru]

Since we're sharing photo's I thought I'd put up a pic of my double

As I noted above I put a baritone neck in the place of the 6. It's strung as a bari at the moment but I've got some JJ bass VI strings I'm going to try. At some point I'll get a 4 string nut and bridge and try it as a standard bass as well [extra machines be damned! It's got so many already a few extra ain't gonna even be noticed]

 

[Showdown]

Since we're sharing photo's I thought I'd put up a pic of my double

As I noted above I put a baritone neck in the place of the 6. It's strung as a bari at the moment but I've got some JJ bass VI strings I'm going to try. At some point I'll get a 4 string nut and bridge and try it as a standard bass as well [extra machines be damned! It's got so many already a few extra ain't gonna even be noticed]

Very cool, and probably the only double neck that doesn't weigh a ton.

 

[Verne Andru]

Yeah it comes in around 12 lbs - lighter than a Les Paul! Bit neck heavy tho.

 

[jasking]

Any thoughts on transforming a danelectro baritone into a 5 string bass ? OR maybe I should use a longhorn and transform from 4 to 5 ? My goal is to have that semi-hollow sound and more finger spacing to play bass but with a short scale. I have been looking all over for a solution but there's nothing out there. I even transformed my Fender SQ bass VI into a 5 string by drilling holes and changing the nut, but unfortunately 5 strings across 6 string pickups doesn't sound great. I'm figuring the lipstick route might be a solution. ANY IDEAS ??? Thanks

 

[HaphAsSard]

I even transformed my Fender SQ bass VI into a 5 string by drilling holes and changing the nut, but unfortunately 5 strings across 6 string pickups doesn't sound great.

Not to dissuade you from getting a new instrument, Heaven forbid, but the above part could be fixed, in theory at least, by replacing the existing pickups with rail-type ones, such as, but not limited to, the Seymour Duncan Hot Rails, Cool Rails or Vintage Rails. However, I know very little about pickup swapping and couldn't confirm if those potential replacements, being strat-size, would fit the Jaguar-type routes in the Squier VI or instead would require some routing. I think they would be wide enough for the total spacing of the VI, but I'm not 100% sure about that either. Worth investigating at least.
By the way, have you got pics of the conversion, or possibly a link to another thread where you've already posted some?

 

[Verne Andru]

Here's a demo of my double in action:

 

[jasking]

Not to dissuade you from getting a new instrument, Heaven forbid, but the above part could be fixed, in theory at least, by replacing the existing pickups with rail-type ones, such as, but not limited to, the Seymour Duncan Hot Rails, Cool Rails or Vintage Rails. However, I know very little about pickup swapping and couldn't confirm if those potential replacements, being strat-size, would fit the Jaguar-type routes in the Squier VI or instead would require some routing. I think they would be wide enough for the total spacing of the VI, but I'm not 100% sure about that either. Worth investigating at least.
By the way, have you got pics of the conversion, or possibly a link to another thread where you've already posted some?

Hmmm.

Thanks for the tip !!! They are almost the same size. The rails are all the same size but a bit smaller than the jag pickups but by a very small amount. COULD work? However, the wiring might be an issue. The jags are 'alnico' and the rails are 'ceramic'. I don't really understand the technical side of all this.

I have put my Bass VI back into a 6 string for the meantime, but when I '5' it again, I'll post pics. I also added a plate to the end of it and removed the useless tremolo (IMO) AND I can also use heavier strings. I also need to figure out a better system for the jag bridge which I transformed into a 5 by drilling holes, but it's not the best solution.

I will post this message in a Bass VI thread.

Thanks !!

 

[HaphAsSard]

Here's a demo of my double in action:

I love how you posted 11-1/2 years ago and also now, after the thread revival, without missing a beat!
So you decided you got no use for all 12 strings on the guitar neck?
Great instrument, I'm envious. As I said before, if I ever got a doubleneck it would be either a headless (paddle-style) or a Danelectro.

 

[Verne Andru]

I love how you posted 11-1/2 years ago and also now, after the thread revival, without missing a beat!
So you decided you got no use for all 12 strings on the guitar neck?
Great instrument, I'm envious. As I said before, if I ever got a doubleneck it would be either a headless, paddle-style or a Danelectro.

Thanks so much - it's a great instrument that's a ton of fun.

11 1/2 years ago seems like a different world. Forums like this were buzzing with excitement, then everything went pretty much dead. Nice to see a bit of a revival going on as I much prefer this to the social media formats. Truth be told the past while I've been doing the mandolin cafe forum at the expense of places like this.

On the 12 string neck, I like the nut width for playing finger-style more than the sound of a 12. I find a regular nut width too cramped but the 1 3/4" of the 12 strung for 6 is perfect. I even had a new aluminum nut made for just 6 strings to get as much string spacing as possible. If I need a 12 for recording I have another guitar with Nashville tuning that I double-track which gives a better 12 sound because it eliminates the phase cancellation. If I need a 12 for live work, I just change the nut back and restring. Removing 6 tuning machines helps a little with the neck dive as well.

I'm currently thinking of putting together a double made with a 5-string mandolin and a 6-string bass. The 5-mando goes into guitar voicing (tenor) on the low end and mando on the high while the bass 6 is bass on the low and guitar on the high. Me thinks that should give me the broadest range possible plus the 5th tuning of the mando gives a super cool sound not available with any other instrument.