i can never find a review of a danelectro bass that actually helps me out on things I’m wondering. Am I missing something? I wanted to know the weight of a ‘64 bass’ , if it has neck dive, thickness of the neck, is it hollow like a longhorn, and how they are on the road. Does anyone have any experience with one? Or any danelectro basses?
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Info on Danelectro
- Thread starter Dan Newsom
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Well, let's see...1. I'd recommend taking your questions over to the Danelectro Owners Club. Someone there is sure to own a '63 Bass, and they can be more specific than I can. I don't have one myself (no leftys)... However, I'm a member, and I do own Danos; a Longhorn, and 2 DC 59 Pros. So...
- Is the '63 Bass a hollow body? No, I don't think it is. With that German contoured, Mosrite-ish body? Probably some light wood; Basswood, or Poplar, I'd say.
- Does it have neck dive? Well, that depends on 2 things; 1) your definition of neck dive, and 2) You. If, like some people around here, your definition of a neck diving bass is one that moves after you put it in some position; take your hands of it; then jump around like Mick Jagger with an angry weasel in his pants? Yeah, it probably neck dives - 99.5 % of all basses will. If your definition of neck dive is like mine - stand perfectly still; take your hands off it, and watch the head stock dive for the floor like a JU-87 on an attack run, while the strap tries to peel your shirt off? Then, no it isn't a neck diver. As for the "You" part? Whether a bass is a diver depends on how you're built, IME. I own a bunch of basses that, according to lots of folks here, are notorious divers. And, honestly, I personally don't have that problem - at all. They all pretty much stay where I put them; but, I don't jump around like a loon, either...I think a lot of it just depends on how you're built. As far as the "63 is concerned? If you're built like most of us, I'd say.. yeah, it's maybe just a little neck heavy - like holding up a double cheeseburger...
- How are they on the road? IMO, no better or worse than anything else. If you're a ham-fisted, negligent goober, who can screw up a cannon ball? A hollow body anything probably won't last very long if it's yours. If you're a grown-up, who takes reasonable care of the things he paid good money for? Then, a Danelectro will last you a good long time...
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View attachment 3274885 View attachment 3274886 Well, let's see...
1. I'd recommend taking your questions over to the Danelectro Owners Club. Someone there is sure to own a '63 Bass, and they can be more specific than I can. I don't have one myself (no leftys)... However, I'm a member, and I do own Danos; A Longhorn, and 2 DC 59 Pros. So...
- Is the '63 Bass a hollow body? No, I don't think it is. With that German contoured, Mosrite-ish body? Probably some light wood; Basswood, or Poplar, I'd say.
- Does it have neck dive? Well, that depends on 2 things; 1) your definition of neck dive, and 2) You. If, like some people around here, your definition of a neck diving bass is one that moves after you put it in some position; take your hands of it; then jump around like Mick Jagger with an angry weasel in his pants? Yeah, it probably neck dives - 99.5 % of all basses will. If your definition of neck dive is like mine - stand perfectly still; take your hands off it, and watch the head stock dive for the floor like a JU-87 on an attack run, while the strap tries to peel your shirt off? Then, no it isn't a neck diver. As for the "You" part? Whether a bass is a diver depends on how you're built, IME. I own a bunch of basses that, according to lots of folks here, are notorious divers. And, honestly, I personally don't have that problem - at all. They all pretty much stay where I put them; but, I don't jump around like a loon, either...I think a lot of it just depends on how you're built. As far as the "63 is concerned? If you're built like most of us, I'd say.. yeah, it's maybe just a little neck heavy - like holding up a double cheeseburger...
- How are they on the road? IMO, no better or worse than anything else. If you're a ham-fisted, negligent goober, who can screw up a cannon ball? A hollow body anything probably won't last very long if it's yours. If you're a grown-up, who takes reasonable care of the things he paid good money for? Then, a Danelectro will last you a good long time...
Thank you for that answer! I would go to the danelectro club and ask, but you’ve summed up everything right there. Personally, I think I take care of my stuff pretty well (other than customizations if u count them). I like an instrument that will age as time goes on, but requires some delicate care so I DONT run around like a loon XD
Jim Carr
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Here is my review and pics of my 1965 Danelectro Silvertone (Dolphin nose) bass.
Review/Pics of 1965 Danelectro Silvertone Bass
It may not be of much use, but will at least give someone else's experience with a single coil one lipstick tube pickup Dano.
Review/Pics of 1965 Danelectro Silvertone Bass
It may not be of much use, but will at least give someone else's experience with a single coil one lipstick tube pickup Dano.
I had a Longhorn for a few years and gigged it occasionally. Liked the bass the tone and just the playability and groovy old school thumpiness go on YouTube and search .W.H.A.T. Band. Some old friends of mine from San Jose Ca., the bassist and vocalist Endre Tarzy kills on a double PU one and a Longhorn.
Here’s some clips.
"Crazy": John Wedemeyer & Friends
Here’s some clips.
"Crazy": John Wedemeyer & Friends
Ho to all,
i too have a question on Danelectro 58 bass: will it fit correctly the Pyramid (Hofner) short scale strings, or the 40-100 gauge is too large for his neck and tuners? Thank you.
i too have a question on Danelectro 58 bass: will it fit correctly the Pyramid (Hofner) short scale strings, or the 40-100 gauge is too large for his neck and tuners? Thank you.
Good points and I enjoyed your post for its truth and humor!View attachment 3274885 View attachment 3274886 Well, let's see...
1. I'd recommend taking your questions over to the Danelectro Owners Club. Someone there is sure to own a '63 Bass, and they can be more specific than I can. I don't have one myself (no leftys)... However, I'm a member, and I do own Danos; a Longhorn, and 2 DC 59 Pros. So...
- Is the '63 Bass a hollow body? No, I don't think it is. With that German contoured, Mosrite-ish body? Probably some light wood; Basswood, or Poplar, I'd say.
- Does it have neck dive? Well, that depends on 2 things; 1) your definition of neck dive, and 2) You. If, like some people around here, your definition of a neck diving bass is one that moves after you put it in some position; take your hands of it; then jump around like Mick Jagger with an angry weasel in his pants? Yeah, it probably neck dives - 99.5 % of all basses will. If your definition of neck dive is like mine - stand perfectly still; take your hands off it, and watch the head stock dive for the floor like a JU-87 on an attack run, while the strap tries to peel your shirt off? Then, no it isn't a neck diver. As for the "You" part? Whether a bass is a diver depends on how you're built, IME. I own a bunch of basses that, according to lots of folks here, are notorious divers. And, honestly, I personally don't have that problem - at all. They all pretty much stay where I put them; but, I don't jump around like a loon, either...I think a lot of it just depends on how you're built. As far as the "63 is concerned? If you're built like most of us, I'd say.. yeah, it's maybe just a little neck heavy - like holding up a double cheeseburger...
- How are they on the road? IMO, no better or worse than anything else. If you're a ham-fisted, negligent goober, who can screw up a cannon ball? A hollow body anything probably won't last very long if it's yours. If you're a grown-up, who takes reasonable care of the things he paid good money for? Then, a Danelectro will last you a good long time...
I used to own a couple of the 63 re-issue basses. They look cool, are cheap, and fun to play. The tone is best with flats, IMO, and it is a very neutral tone. The amp will do most of the work. Don't expect some amazingly crafted wood instrument, the materials are cheap, but that is kind of the point. I loved mine, wish I still had it.
The Longhorn? Hm, short scale Pyramids are probably too long for it. 84.5cm+ -long full winding of the string vs. (more or less, judging from pics) about 82.5cm between the ball-end and the 1st tuner of the bass.
On the other hand, the product page for their roundwounds do mention Danelectro among other models:
PYRAMID maximum performance strings - Bass, Short Scales, Solo, tiefe Basstöne
If rounds are what you want you might try and see if they fit. I can only confirm, from personal experience, that their short-scale flats are over 33" long.
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In my Hofner 500/1 there are 88 cms from ball to the next tuner. I would want to put on the Dano a set of flats, and have a set of Pyramids at home. But in the case they can’t fit, what flatwound strings will work?
D'Addario Chromes ECB81S (gauges 45 65 80 100):
https://www.amazon.it/DAddario-ECB81S-Corde-Basso-Chromes/dp/B000K669LS/
D'Addario ECB81S Chromes (short scale) Flat Wound Bass Electric 4 string
The tone is significantly brighter than that of Pyramid Gold flats, though.
The Rotosound RS77S (40 50 75 90) also fits:
https://www.amazon.it/Rotosound-RS77S-Muta-per-Basso/dp/B0002GNYBE/
I myself cannot recommend them, for one reason. I liked the low E's tone but hated its responsiveness to touch: very low-tension but too stiff, so the note would go "boiiing" unless I played with a super-duper-light touch.
This GHS Precision Flatwound set, the 3020 (gauges 45 60 75 95),
GHS 3020 L Short scale Precision Flatwound Flat Wrap Stainless Steel 045/095 Bass Electric 4 string
used to have the "right" length in our case, but the winding length of GHS short-scale strings was changed, in the last year or so, from ~81.3cm to ~83.2cm, which may be slightly too long for the Dano. In practice, if and only if the store has had the set in stock for some years it should fit, but if it's been restocked it has the new length. This is the new package, for reference:
https://www.amazon.it/GHS-3020-Precision-Wound-String/dp/B005M05MII/
The 760FD is the set La Bella makes specifically for Danelectro basses. It's veeery light (older version .042" .053" .06" .079")
La Bella 760FD Flatwound Stainless Steel Bass Electric Danelectro
(the current version is a little heavier, .042" .056" .065" .083")
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Even more expensive, and with two high extra strings you don't need, but this other set (La Bella 767-JAGF, made for the Fender Jaguar VI, gauges .026" .035" .044" .056" .075" .095") would also fit:
La Bella 767-JAGF Bass VI 30″ Scale / 32″ Winding – Stainless Flats – 26-95 Jaguar Bass VI Bass Electric Fender bass VI
This one would work too, the La Bella 760FS-S (.045" .065" .085" .105"):
La Bella 760FS-S Short Scale Flatwound Stainless Steel Bass Electric 4 string
But if I were to choose for you, I'd try these, the La Bella 760FX-S (.039" .056" .077" .096"):
La Bella 760FX-S Extra lite 39-96 Flatwound Stainless Steel Shortscale Bass Electric 4 string
What's left? Other flats that come in short scale are the Dunlop (DBFS40100S and DBFS45105S) and the Optima (4099 SS)
WARWICK Dunlop Bass Flatwound Stainless Steel - DBFS040100S - Bass String Set, 4-String, Medium Light, .040-.100 - Short Scale
WARWICK Dunlop Bass Flatwound Stainless Steel - DBFS045105S - Bass String Set, 4-String, Medium, .045-.105 - Short Scale
Optima 4099 SS Bass Pure Nickel FLATWOUND Strings, Short Scale, regular light jetzt online kaufen bei SchneiderMusik.de
but I'm afraid I don't know how long they are.
All other makers of flats have "short-scale" strings that are too long (Thomastik-Infeld JF324, DR SFL-45) or they just don't offer them in short-scale version at all (Fender, Galli, Dogal, Sadowsky, Ernie Ball, S.I.T., and so on).
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Pretty much anybody else's short scale flatwounds will work on the Danelectro. It is a short scale one, I assume... Pyramid and Thomastik-Infeld short scale strings are made expressly for short scale basses with trapeze tailpieces and floating bridges - like Hofners. The extra length is necessary to reach from the tailpiece to the tuners. Their short scale string's overall length is the equivalent of most other company's medium length strings. This old short scale Epiphone bass, for example, could use short scale Pyramids without a problem. What it's strung with right now, is a set of medium length La Bella flat wounds - again, with no problem. Why? That trapeze tailpiece is why... However;Regardless of "scale" length -If you want to be sure about what strings will fit on any bass, you need to measure that bass. Measure the distance from the nut to where the ball end of your strings attach to the bass. On this Epiphone, that would be from the nut to the tailpiece cut-outs for the ball ends (like your Hofner, they're underneath). Then, you can go to the Strings Forum here on TB. In the "Sticky" posts at the top, look at either "String Winding Length" or "Bass String Lengths By Manufacturer". They will tell you a string's "Speaking length" - the length from the ball end, to the end of the string's maximum diameter; where it starts to taper down for winding on to the tuners. If they have silk on that end, it would be from the ball end to the silk. Strings with a slightly longer speaking length than the measurement you got from that bass, are what you want. A little bit longer is OK, but you definitely don't want shorter. That will put the tapered part of the string (or the silk) in the string slots on your nut - and you don't want that. You want the speaking part of the string in there. But, like I said earlier; for your Danelectro? If its a shorty - like a Longhorn - pretty much any short scale strings (that aren't Pyramids or TI's) will work. Don't be surprised if you find some that won't fit, though. And don't be surprised at how much difference there is in the length of different strings of the same scale....
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Solid Bass wood body, weight about 3.8kg. I've gigged a '64 regularly for the past 6 years. Neck dive? Nothing to write home about, I've had worse. Beautiful neck, good sound although a blend pot would work. Stupid knobs, immediately replaced by Telecasters' and the deliberate wonkiness is a bit daft, I straightened the bridge pick up. Tuners a bit puny but they work just as well as a Fender's. The great thing about Danelectros is you don't feel your playing has to match the instrument - an expensive, prestige instrument can be a millstone, Danelectros are for enjoying. Which is what music is about.
I've had far more expensive basses but this is my all time favourite.
I've had far more expensive basses but this is my all time favourite.
