Hoping for advice on Danelectro

[buldog5151bass]

If I am not mistaken, all the originals had metal tuner knobs (I know my shorthorn did) - those look like some kind of plastic based on the photo. Also, as others have said, it is FAR too clean to be an original.

 

[msb]

It's a first generation re-issue .

 

[lz4005]

It looks like the first Korean re-issue . The first batch came out in 98 . Some feel that is the best batch made .

It's definitely one of the late 90's reissues.
That run was very good in terms of neck stability and tone, but the hardware on other reissues is much better.
The tuners on these are cheap guitar tuners that barely hold up to bass strings. The bridges tend to bend down in the middle over time.

 

[mcgreivey]

If the bridge fails, it's easy to find a replacent and ready to install it, in about 5 minutes (take the strings off unscrew one screw, substitute the new bridge, screw the screw back in). A replacement bridge is $25- $40 (depending on where you buy it.

Having to take the neck off to adjust the truss rid is a PITA, but I've actually never had to ever. You'd probably only ever need to if you made a radical change in strings.

I like flats on mine. D'addario Chrome Flats, specifically.

 

[mcgreivey]

And unless you really abuse your instruments, or unless you tour and have roadie apes or baggage handlers tossing your stuff around in a truck or cargo holds, they aren't really as fragile as they seem. Mine hold up.

 

[EdO.]

I like flats on mine. D'addario Chrome Flats, specifically.

I've been using GHS Boomers, .100 E string gauge, but I've been curious to try a set of flats just to see what the difference might be (although I've really just never cared for the feel of flats). What size flats you using and did you have to modify the tuner hole to make them work?

 

[ryanblumenow]

Thanks for the excellent insights everyone! It's a tough decision.

I really like the tone. Are Danos quite readily available in the US market? I think they're more rare in my area.

 

[msb]

Where are you ? I live on the east coast of Canada , there's the odd one around but you don't see them come up for sale very often . I probably know about a dozen local guys that would buy one in a minute simply because they really like mine .

New ones are generally available through eBay and stores in the US . Nothing local .

 

[Jim Carr]

The Danelectro bass I played as a beginner in 1963 was strung with rounds—for real.

 

[mcgreivey]

Thanks for the excellent insights everyone! It's a tough decision.

I really like the tone. Are Danos quite readily available in the US market? I think they're more rare in my area.

They're easy to find new or used online.

New or used in stores? It depends on where you live. There's a local independent store not far from me (northeastern NJ) that always has a bunch of different Dano models in stock.

Guitar Center theoretically carries them, but realistically I only ever see 12-strings or double-necks in the NYC area.

They do pop up frequently on Craigslist in my area.

And there's always Fort Madison Guitars. He has just about everything Dano.

 

[mcgreivey]

Oh, and Long & McQuade appears to have a good selection of Danos, Canadian mail order, if there's duty when shipped from the us. But I suppose you'd want to compare (CA$ price + taxes+shipping) vs. (US$ price + duties + shipping)

 

[ryanblumenow]

Thanks for the insights everyone. It can be tricky to order online for me as I'm outside the US and Canada and so the shipping is usually exorbitant and a bit difficult to arrange. And prices here in stores once duties are applied are pretty hectic.

But this still feels a little on the high side, despite me really liking the tone. It's a real tough decision.

 

[lz4005]

The Danelectro bass I played as a beginner in 1963 was strung with rounds—for real.

They were one of the earliest, if not the first, bass to have rounds from the factory.

There's a famous story about John Entwhistle buying one to record "My Generation" with because that was the only way to get round wound strings in England.
He would break a string, go out and buy another Dano. Went through 3 or 4 in a week before giving up and finishing the song on a J with flats.
That bad experience led him to work with Rotosound to develop better quality strings.

 

[sedan_dad]

I've played my Longhorn HARD ,for years. Drug it all over the states. I have flats on it. (Chromes) They're about 5 years old. Last 2 CD's we've done I ended up using the Dano 90% of the time over my Fenders. Great woody tone. Plays like butter. You say he's asking $375? Start wheeling and dealing . Offer $300 CASH IN HAND. And go from there. P.S. The Dano fits perfectly in a Fender Strat case. Old school rectangle one.

 

[ryanblumenow]

Thanks all. I found out that it is a 2001 American reissue. Apparently there is another buyer interested from a reasonably famous local band so I doubt there is negotiation room on the price. Just wanted to solicit any latest thoughts on value now that it is confirmed the year and heritage. Would appreciate any last minute thoughts with that info.

 

[woodyng2]

Thanks very much. Is that mostly based on the shape of the controls and the color etc?

Based on it being Korean stock, do you feel it may be worth the price asked?

It's a really tough decision between this and the Yammie RBX A2 - because I can get them for the same price. But I won't be able to get my wife to sign off on both.

Out of that choice,I'd definitely go with the Yamaha. I owned a 90's Dano Hodad,which is the best bass they ever made imho. Danos have a great unique sound,but can feel pretty flimsy. That price seems like a great deal on the Yamaha,not so great for the Dano.
Edit-ps if you get the rbxa2,let us know how you like it.
I think it's a very intriguing design.

 

[mcgreivey]

Out of that choice,I'd definitely go with the Yamaha. I owned a 90's Dano Hodad,which is the best bass they ever made imho. Danos have a great unique sound,but can feel pretty flimsy. That price seems like a great deal on the Yamaha,not so great for the Dano.
Edit-ps if you get the rbxa2,let us know how you like it.
I think it's a very intriguing design.

I disagree. If you really love the Dano, and if they're hard to find in your area, then you don't want to quibble over $75 or $100. In a couple years, that little bit of cash won't matter to you--even if you end up selling it for $300 later.

But, of course, it comes down to what you feel like you want to hold and play (Dano, Yamaha, whatever).

And I'll repeat that Danos are lightweight, but not flimsy.

 

[woodyng2]

I disagree. If you really love the Dano, and if they're hard to find in your area, then you don't want to quibble over $75 or $100. In a couple years, that little bit of cash won't matter to you--even if you end up selling it for $300 later.

But, of course, it comes down to what you feel like you want to hold and play (Dano, Yamaha, whatever).

And I'll repeat that Danos are lightweight, but not flimsy.

I'll admit the Hodad i had held up well,and i sold it for more than i paid for it after using it for 5 years. It also had a more substantial adjustable bridge,and better tuners than the longhorn.
The particular yamaha model being considered is also a rare bird.
Another difference would be long scale vs short,and better hardware on the yamaha.
I stand by my opinion,as i think the yamaha would just be a better bass to have,period.

 

[Rocker949]

I'll admit the Hodad i had held up well,and i sold it for more than i paid for it after using it for 5 years. It also had a more substantial adjustable bridge,and better tuners than the longhorn.
The particular yamaha model being considered is also a rare bird.
Another difference would be long scale vs short,and better hardware on the yamaha.
I stand by my opinion,as i think the yamaha would just be a better bass to have,period.

Have you had any experience with the Hodads made between 2012-2016? If so, how would you compare them to what I am assuming is the 3 pickup Hodad that you had?

 

[woodyng2]

Have you had any experience with the Hodads made between 2012-2016? If so, how would you compare them to what I am assuming is the 3 pickup Hodad that you had?

I have not. Generally speaking,the consensus of opinion seems to favor the 90's reissues as the best made ones,and the one i had was from that era,so i at least agree that it was one of the better ones i've played. A friend had a longhorn from a later period (2001-ish),and besides the fact that it didn't have the nicer hardware,it seemed not quite as well put together,as well. So that's my limited Dano experience. I've played a bunch of Yamaha basses over the years,and even their beginner models have been better than average instruments.
By the way,here's the Hodad i used to own.