NBD: Dano Longhorn (Pro?) !!

4SG

4SG

Mar 6, 2014
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#1
I'm currently playing in two bands, a country outfit and a power pop band. I use a selection of Precisions for the former and a Ric 4003 for the latter. All the gigs and rehearsals are taking a toll on my aging geezer back. I borrowed a Jerry Jones Neptune from a bandmate to see if I could get used to the short scale. I really loved that JJ. It weighs only 5 1/2 lbs. and it has a strap button on the driver's side horn, not the heel of the neck, which greatly reduces neck dive. However, I wasn't about to drop over $1500 hunting one down, especially for a bass just to rehearse with.

I found a good-looking Dano Longhorn on Reverb. It was listed simply as a Longhorn, not a Pro model, but it does have the adjustable metal bridge and heavy duty tuners. (Can't tell a thing from the serial number but I'm guessing it might, in fact, be a Longhorn Pro.) It arrived yesterday and I immediately moved the strap button from the heel to the horn a la the Neptune. Happy to say this little guy feels great and sounds great. And it weighs in at just over 6 lbs. Not sure about gigging with it yet but I'm really happy with the purchase.

Pics below. If anyone has an opinion as to which model this is, I'm all ears.

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#4
The Longhorn Pro version basses are quite good instruments. They have quality Gotoh tuners and a fully adjustable-intonatible bridge both of which the standard Longhorn badly needs. I'm pretty sure that the Pro was only available in the Sliver/blackburst finish or the Dark Purple Sparkle and only for a relatively short period of time. Been meaning to buy one of these. I'll have to write myself a reminder note.

TD
 
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#5
bholder said:
Never seen one with an intonateable bridge like that! :thumbsup:
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The late-90's MIK Pro models came with the adjustable bridges and that, along with the Gotoh tuners, is why I believe mine is a Longhorn Pro. Another TB member confirmed that opinion (cheers, A-Step-Towards!). Either that or someone upgraded the bridge and tuners, but it appears to be wholly original.

There have been several reissue series of this bass but, unfortunately, the serial number provides no useful information. At least one series had regular knobs and a toggle switch rather than the concentric tone/volume knobs. The currently-offered model (the '58 Longhorn) has concentric knobs but the inner knobs are chickenheads. They also went back to the "popsicle" stick bridge and cheapo plastic tuners.
 
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#6
Thornton Davis said:
The Longhorn Pro version basses are quite good instruments. They have quality Gotoh tuners and a fully adjustable-intonatible bridge both of which the standard Longhorn badly needs.
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It also badly needs the strap button moved to the horn. I always liked the look, sound and size of these basses but the neck dive was a dealbreaker. It wasn't until I played my buddy's Jerry Jones Neptune with the strap button on the horn that I realized that was the answer. An email from Dano's customer service confirmed that the horn is solid and will take a screw--but they said not to do it since it would be a "medication" that would void their warranty!
 
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#7
Dano DC bass-1.jpg Yeah, that's a Pro model. I have two of these early '90s Korean Dano DC-59 Pros. The regular bass tuners are nicer than dealing with guitar-style tuners, but.. the bridge? It is certainly a "better" bridge than the standard one, which can fold in half at the screw slot, and can be a PITA to intonate. Personally, though, I have to agree with those who say that you lose some of "that Dano sound" with the Pro bridge. And, I have several basses with "primitive" bridges; I don't have a lot of trouble with them. Maybe it's because I'm used to them, and I'm not always fiddling with my basses, anyway. I find that basses like that have "Favorite" strings; once you find them, they intonate spot-on (and easily); and as long as you use those strings, the bass is happy. But, the habit of Dano's regular bridge to fold up is annoying, but only seems to be a real problem with the Chinese ones... Anybody who wants a Pro bridge can get one from All Parts. Same as the originals, and pretty inexpensive...:cool:
 
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#8
GIBrat51 said:
View attachment 2966598 the bridge? It is certainly a "better" bridge than the standard one, which can fold in half at the screw slot
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Well it doesn't actually fold but it can go a bit concave in the middle. I cured that on a few bridges by bending a slight convex arc in the front of the baseplate so it flattens to straight under string pressure and it's been fine for over a decade.
 
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#10
mongo2 said:
Well it doesn't actually fold but it can go a bit concave in the middle. I cured that on a few bridges by bending a slight convex arc in the front of the baseplate so it flattens to straight under string pressure and it's been fine for over a decade.
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The bridge is certainly not a Badass but it's kinda heavy duty. The seller told me he's had it for over 15 years, and he got it from someone else. (I believe the Pros were late 90's). If it hasn't bent or folded or warped or lost its shape in any way for almost 20 years I'm not gonna worry about it.
 
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#11
4 Strings Good said:
The bridge is pretty heavy duty. The seller told me he's had it for over 15 years, and he got it from someone else. (I believe the Pros were late 90's). If it hasn't bent or folded or warped or lost its shape in any way for almost 20 years I'm not gonna worry about it.
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I've had several of the Pro bridges from both newer Danos and All Parts and never had one bend. I've found the stick bridge baseplates form the same era to bend rather easily under string pressure.
 
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#16
ErikP.Bass said:
Congratulations!!! That’s AWESOME!!! I never knew these existed. Does Danelectro still make these? How much do they typically sell for?
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Thanks! Danelectro isn't currently selling the Pro model. The version they've got out now is called the "58 Longhorn" and it has the rosewood bridge and plastic guitar tuners. Also now has the truss rod adjustment at headstock instead of base of neck. Pic below. It also comes in black. Street price is $430.

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