NDD: Short Scales back in action! 90s Danelectro Longhorn Purple Sparkle!

#25
I had an original 1958 or 1959 longhorn that was gifted to me back in the late 60’s. It sat forlorn in a closet until the early 80’s when I dug it out put new flats on it and played the stew out of it! Then I went through a period where I thought all of my basses should be the same scale…so I swapped it straight up for a brand new T-40 and case.
The first time I had ever seen one was on the original cover of the Trashmen’s Surfing Bird album.
Kim
 
#26
I hate these things so much I think its turning into love.

I've got a 64 bass, bought it to flip, but totally fell for it. Now looking for a DC long. I'm still unsure about these, but every time I see one it grows on me..
 
#27
I got a bass just like that. The little thing is a freak of nature. It's incredibly light. The tone is amazing. They play surprisingly well. The way these basses are constructed is quite strange. They have tape on them, but Luckly it does not hold the bass together.

But dam!!! the tone is awesome. They hold their own with any old Boutique bass. I know because I have some.
 
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#28
MisterUbu said:
Well sometimes you CAN find steals in big box stores. Backstory: for a while I had a baby blue 90s Korean reissue of these that I regret letting go of. I posted an ad wanting it back, and there way a guy selling a Longhorn of the same finish for around $600 CAD but the issue; he was located across the opposite side of the Province. After a month of no luck, I took down the listing.

Well lo and behold, Long and Mcquade out of all places had a Longhorn somebody traded in for their annual inventory blowout sale for $330 CAD! An hours wait before opening
today, and it was mine!! All for 6 easy monthly payments!:hyper::hyper:
View attachment 4580466
I had no idea what it looked like and it really exceeded my expectations. The most unexpected part, it actually came with a hard case! and an old Fender style one at that! Does anyone have more info on these fender hardcases (it looks older than the bass lol). Did I mention the FINISH?View attachment 4580467 View attachment 4580465
View attachment 4580468

In terms of playability, I was surprised at the fretwork, no buzzing or dead spots up and down the neck. The only small issue is the intonation past the 12th, but with the of bridge what can you do? This time I'll wait before installing a new bridge, as I didn't like the tone much of the "adjustable" bridge, plus i'd have to redrill if I wanted a new bridge on it.

It definitely looks like it was taken care of, as my old Dano had to be semi-rescued from a closet after I got it. The only small issues are classic of these basses: crummy acoustic guitar strap buttons where the top likes to come off, and lifting tape, and the bridge slightly banana-ing on itself. These don't bother me outside of the strap button, as it plays really well outta the get go, so no real tweaks are needed. It does have rounds on it, so a bucket list plan is to get some la-bella flats on it soon enough. :bassist: For the weight-watchers out there, I was suprised this bass only weighs 5.6 lbs!

To add, I want to add some quick n dirty sound clips of the bass. Here's a couple straight from my DAW from a Behringer UMC202, raw.





Click to expand...

What !!!! Purple and sparkle!! Now I have to find one of these!!
SPARKLE!!:smug::woot::hyper::drool::cool::thumbsup:
 
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#32
Nice score, congrats. I wouldn’t mind finding one at that price.

It looks like the same color as a Danelectro U2 guitar I had from the late 90s. I believe they called it “beatnik burgundy” if I remember correctly.
 
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#36
msb said:
I‘ve met people that sold Danos because they didn’t realize you could move the bridge around .
It’s pretty simple to position the bridge , heck even the double octave is good on my two .
Click to expand...
As of the current moment the only real issues are some buzz on the second fret when playing an F, and the top button randomly coming off. I know either gorilla/elmer's glue, or just a simple dowel filling can fix the button. Outside of that the bridge and tuners I was whining about have given me zero issues, it's intonated and stays in tune well.
 
#37
MisterUbu said:
As of the current moment the only real issues are some buzz on the second fret when playing an F, and the top button randomly coming off. I know either gorilla/elmer's glue, or just a simple dowel filling can fix the button. Outside of that the bridge and tuners I was whining about have given me zero issues, it's intonated and stays in tune well.
Click to expand...

Sounds like either your nut isn't high enough at the E string, or your your second or third fret is a hair high under the E string. I'd start by checking that the frets are level, and if they are, then I'd check but height
 
#38
mcgreivey said:
Sounds like either your nut isn't high enough at the E string, or your your second or third fret is a hair high under the E string. I'd start by checking that the frets are level, and if they are, then I'd check but height
Click to expand...
I'll get on to do that, the aluminum nut seems to have a real low height/clearance, not enough for the open strings to buzz but judging by the almost flat relief on the neck and around 5/64s string height iirc (I'll double check) it's most likely a tall fret. The first fret area is pretty much the only spot where I hear audible buzzing when plugged in, everything else gets some kind of buzz or sympathetic ringing but nothing audible while playing in a group and fortunately nothing choking out.
 
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#39
Just got a copperburst Dano longhorn myself. Neck is way way too small for me, so I'll probably part ways with it soon. But I gotta say, it's a fun little thing! It's got TONS of sounds, its ultra light, ugly as hell, and definitely a conversation starter!
 
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