Danelectro Owners Club

[danosix]

So to the people that own a Jerry Jones and a Danelectro is the price difference for the Jerry jones what they go for today worth it? I have the cash and thinking of getting either a true Vintage longhorn or get a Jerry Jones.

If the choice is between a true vintage and a Jerry Jones, the choice is Jerry Jones hands down. They are entirely better quality instruments in nearly every way (having a truss rod is alone worth the money). And not having been abused for 40+ years is definitely a plus (remember these were cheapies mostly bought for younger kids).
If you have a nostalgic connection to a particular vintage model that may make the vintage option worthwhile. Also, real longhorns are actually going for MORE than JJs now (which is a relatively new development)
As pure instruments I think most people would agree that the order is:

Jerry Jones
1st Production Korean Evetts-Danelectro
Current Korean Evetts-Danelectro
Chinese Evetts-Danelectro / Vintage

Chandler and Charvel (Surfcaster - not a "true" dano clone, but a worthwhile alternative) would fall somewhere between the JJ and the Evetts, but both will cost you more than either.

For coolness factor the order would probably be very different.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

If the choice is between a true vintage and a Jerry Jones, the choice is Jerry Jones hands down. They are entirely better quality instruments in nearly every way (having a truss rod is alone worth the money). And not having been abused for 40+ years is definitely a plus (remember these were cheapies mostly bought for younger kids).
If you have a nostalgic connection to a particular vintage model that may make the vintage option worthwhile.
As pure instruments I think most people would agree that the order is:

Jerry Jones
1st Production Korean Evetts-Danelectro
Current Korean
Evetts-Danelectro
Chinese Evetts-Danelectro
Vintage

Chandler and Charvel (Surfcaster - not a "true" dano clone, but a worthwhile alternative) would fall somewhere between the JJ and the Evetts, but both will cost you more than either.

For coolness factor the order would probably be very different

You could also get one from a custom builder that makes some really cool versions of these... There got to be one or two out there somewhere...

Just saying...

 

[danosix]

You could also get one from a custom builder that makes some really cool versions of these... There got to be one or two out there somewhere...

Just saying...

Since Moonshine is being coy - I'll say it for him.
There's a guy on here who calls himself Moonshine and he makes Danelectro inspired custom instruments which are Very high quality and get great reviews here on TB. My only qualification is I don't know what he charges, but I assume he would be comparable to a JJ since he is comparable to JJ.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

Since Moonshine is being coy - I'll say it for him.
There's a guy on here who calls himself Moonshine and he makes Danelectro inspired custom instruments which are Very high quality and get great reviews here on TB. My only qualification is I don't know what he charges, but I assume he would be comparable to a JJ since he is comparable to JJ.

Thank you Sir... Nothing like a little shameless self promotion



Moonshine

 

[danosix]

Thank you Sir... Nothing like a little shameless self promotion



Moonshine

No problem. Someday maybe I'll order something from you instead of just telling others about you.

 

[KK Jale]

Hi folks,

Below is a completed eBay auction I just found (kinda wish I had found it earlier).

There are plenty of pics. I have a theory... but can anyone put me out of my misery and tell me what this really is?

Danelectro Long Horn Bass | eBay

 

[danosix]

Hi folks,

Below is a completed eBay auction I just found (kinda wish I had found it earlier).

There are plenty of pics. I have a theory... but can anyone put me out of my misery and tell me what this really is?

Danelectro Long Horn Bass | eBay

Holy s***! That's a REAL'un.
Looks like someone made a HUGE score.
No kidding you wish (along with most of the rest of us) you found it sooner.
Of course - then it wouldn't have gone for $300 US.
This is the stuff that feed the ebay/craigslist/internet legend.
What's your theory?

 

[KK Jale]

I know, right?

Being far from a Dano expert, my theory quickly went from "Whoa, is that an early rebadged JJ?" to "Erm... I've got a very weird feeling about this..."

 

[danosix]

I know, right?

Being far from a Dano expert, my theory quickly went from "Whoa, is that an early rebadged JJ?" to "Erm... I've got a very weird feeling about this..."

Yeah, that's definitely not a JJ - just one of the flat topped headstocks. Pretty sure it's real. Though the tuners are almost certainly replacements.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

Sure looks real to me. It is pretty damn clean for it's age but even the finish on the body looks right.

The tuners are correct (imho); Nat used Klusons on the early models before changing over to the skate keys.

Me too on the "wish I had seen it earlier". Nice score.


Moonshine

 

[KK Jale]

Must say I thought the tuners were right, just assumed the control knobs had been swapped.

Hey ho, eh? Stuff's out there! Just wish it had been me *sniffle*

 

[danosix]

Sure looks real to me. It is pretty damn clean for it's age but even the finish on the body looks right.

The tuners are correct (imho); Nat used Klusons on the early models before changing over to the skate keys.

Me too on the "wish I had seen it earlier". Nice score.


Moonshine

Yeah - but I ain't never seen a set of 50s or early 60s klusons that shiny.

 

[mongo2]

Yeah - but I ain't never seen a set of 50s or early 60s klusons that shiny.

I have, on my "minty" Sears Silvertone/Dano dolphin nose bass.

 

[msb]

Holy crap !

I think that is the real deal .

 

[GIBrat51]

Yeah, that does look like an original. I hope whoever got it doesn't wind up with a marginal/unplayable neck, though. Since the originals didn't have a truss rod per se, I might have asked a lot of neck-related questions before bidding on it. But, there were no lefty originals, anyway, so... And, yes, old Kluson tuners will shine up nice; just takes some elbow grease and time...

 

[msb]

I've always thought those original necks hold up pretty good . They're double braced . They don't move much .

 

[Rikki_Sixx]

Morning dudes! I've had a Dano '63 in Aqua for a few years now and love it. Bought it purely based on the looks, price and reviews (having never played one or even seen one in person), I was into it from day one. When mine arrived with a hole in the cardboard packaging from where the courier had dropped something my heart stopped, but thankfully the bass was touched!

I am considering selling her, as I've always lusted after a Fender Jazz and after playing one the other day I know I must have it. I've been thinking about it for a while, but every time I play I think "I'll hold on a little longer.." haha!

 

[mongo2]

Yeah, that does look like an original. I hope whoever got it doesn't wind up with a marginal/unplayable neck, though. Since the originals didn't have a truss rod per se, I might have asked a lot of neck-related questions before bidding on it. But, there were no lefty originals, anyway, so... And, yes, old Kluson tuners will shine up nice; just takes some elbow grease and time...

The originals do have neck reinforcement in the form of two non-adjustable 3/16" x 1/2" steel bars running the length of the neck under the fingerboard and visible from the end of the neck heel. I've had several original Dano guitars and basses and none of them have ever had a neck issue. One bass I have was even defretted at least a couple of decades ago and the fret slots left unfilled, the back of the neck was also reprofiled and the neck has never had an issue.

BTW, some of my original Danos also have a micro-tilt neck adjustment years before Fender started using it.

 

[msb]

It's been said that Nathan Daniel thought the adjustable truss rod was the weakest part of modern guitar design so he made reinforced necks that would not move .

 

[daveman50]

Hold carp, that vintage Longhorn is an amazing score! From the one picture where you can see the strings above the fingerboard, the action looks o.k.; maybe a little high, but definitely playable. (I don't like low action on a Dano, anyway-- it chokes the tone, IMO.)