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Danelectro Longhorn: Versatile Enough For a Cover Band Gig?

JohnMalay

JohnMalay

Oct 23, 2018
1,022
2,723
New Jersey
#1
A bandmate just bought a Dano 6-string and has his eye on the 12-string as well. He's hinting I should follow suit and I admit to jonesing for a Dano.

I've seen the Longhorn in a number of bands and I know Jack Bruce used one for a short while, but does it have a specific sound or can it be used on a job with a variety of music?

We cover a lot of 60s and 70s stuff, mostly rock and pop, no really hard stuff. My J-bass and Ibanez SR can do it all (both are active EQ) but my Hofner, while it sounds great on the Beatles and other Brit Invasion stuff, lacks punch on some of the other material. (Even through my MXR EQ pedal.)

Has anyone played live gigs with a Longhorn? How does it sit in the mix? Can it cover the bases (ahem)?
 
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#2
I know someone who tours iwith an alt-country band, and her Longhorn (strung with Chromes) brings depth and punch and sounds excellent in the mix (drums, keys, acoustic rhythm, electric lead). I'd guess it would sound good with your material, too.
 
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#4
I had one a few years back that I really liked. It can be used for many styles, or least those that require a bright and clear sound. A few years ago a young person who wanted to learn how to play bass needed one so it became hers. She is quite a good bassist now. She strings it out with a light set of GHS Precision Flats and it is cool with the country bands she plays with.
 
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#5
JohnMalay said:
We cover a lot of 60s and 70s stuff, mostly rock and pop, no really hard stuff.

Has anyone played live gigs with a Longhorn? How does it sit in the mix? Can it cover the bases (ahem)?
Click to expand...

I've gigged mine in bands with similar music styles and genres as yours. I wouldn't recommend it if you slap and pop or need modern aggressive tones. If your Hofner wasn't aggressive enough for you, you might have the same problem with a Longhorn, but I think it's easier to get a good growl from the Longhorn. But for everything else, you're good to go. Playing rounds (the factory rounds will probably do for awhile) helps. No issues if it has been tightened up and set up nice and solid. It might feel a bit light and cheap compared to what you currently play (and has always been associated with a budget instrument), but at full rock band volumes it does a great job. And the aesthetic is way cool. Garry Tallent (Springsteen) and that dude in Golden Earring played one (but I think his was a bit modded) on a few hits.

I say go for it, but the only way to know for sure is to audition one and crank it with the band. That's what return policies are for.
 
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#6
I played a Jerry Jones longhorn for eight years, mostly with a band covering mostly 60s and 70s material, and some more modern rock as well. Those lipstick pickups are brilliant (at least the JJ version) and cut through just fine. It was an awesome bass to record with as well, very warm and full. I used flats on mine. Bought it new for $650, played it a ton and recently sold it for a lot more than that.

I've only played a modern vintage Danelectro once and it sounded/played similar. They're not quite as nice as the Jerry Jones models but they're also a lot less expensive.
 
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#9
Vinnie Boombatz said:
Any playable that works when you plug it in will be sufficient. Play what you like. Don't fall to peer pressure what's currently considered cool.
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Of course. FYI my favorite gig guitar is my cheapest: a Gretsch Junior Jet I bought B-stock for under $200. I put tapes on it and I can get the Hofner sound plus a punchier sound for the rest of the songs. Sure, I had to re-solder a loose jack and I took the tone control out of the circuit (which I always do) but it's a winner and light enough to play all night.
 
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#12
fermata said:
I know someone who tours iwith an alt-country band, and her Longhorn (strung with Chromes) brings depth and punch and sounds excellent in the mix (drums, keys, acoustic rhythm, electric lead). I'd guess it would sound good with your material, too.
Click to expand...

fretlessguy said:
I had one a few years back that I really liked. It can be used for many styles, or least those that require a bright and clear sound. A few years ago a young person who wanted to learn how to play bass needed one so it became hers. She is quite a good bassist now. She strings it out with a light set of GHS Precision Flats and it is cool with the country bands she plays with.
Click to expand...

What are the chances that this is the same woman?
 
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#13
Yes. For example, Garry Tallent used one for years with Springsteen.

I've gigged with Longhorns (original, RI, and JJ) but I prefer my Sears Silvertone Model 1444 (by Danelectro) for ergonomic reasons.
 
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#15
JohnMalay said:
A bandmate just bought a Dano 6-string and has his eye on the 12-string as well. He's hinting I should follow suit and I admit to jonesing for a Dano.

I've seen the Longhorn in a number of bands and I know Jack Bruce used one for a short while, but does it have a specific sound or can it be used on a job with a variety of music?

We cover a lot of 60s and 70s stuff, mostly rock and pop, no really hard stuff. My J-bass and Ibanez SR can do it all (both are active EQ) but my Hofner, while it sounds great on the Beatles and other Brit Invasion stuff, lacks punch on some of the other material. (Even through my MXR EQ pedal.)

Has anyone played live gigs with a Longhorn? How does it sit in the mix? Can it cover the bases (ahem)?
Click to expand...

I play similar style music with my MIK Danelectro Longhorn Pro with nickel rounds. Sits great in the mix and responds well to different playing styles, except slapping.
With tone all the way off, it gives a vibe of upright bass.
 
#17
I played a Dano longhorn for a couple years in a Americana band. I will be the opposite of others here and say the tone is limited to folk, country etc. It’s not my tone for any other type of music even light rock but that’s me. They are cool basses but for me have their limits tone wise.
 
#19
bassbully said:
I played a Dano longhorn for a couple years in a Americana band. I will be the opposite of others here and say the tone is limited to folk, country etc. It’s not my tone for any other type of music even light rock but that’s me. They are cool basses but for me have their limits tone wise.
Click to expand...

Flats or rounds? I would say they REALLY need rounds to reach their full potential. But that is just me!
 
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