Danelectro '58 Longhorn Bass

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GUITARIST FEBRUARY 2016
DANELECTRO ’58 LONGHORN GUITAR BASS
regular-scale guitar version didn’t exist at the
time. Let’s call it a cut-down Guitarlin, then.
Construction of the bass and guitar is
identical with Masonite (we know it as
hardboard) panels concealing an internal
hardwood frame. Similarities persist with the
cosmetic vinyl body tape, vintage-style tuners,
well-cut aluminium top nut, ‘Coke bottle’
headstock, lipstick-cased single-coil pickups
and concentric or ‘stacked’ volume and tone
controls. The guitar also features a three-way
pickup selector toggle switch. The only
grumble here is that the volume and pointy
tone knobs on the bass occasionally stick
together and have to be gently prised apart,
which is annoying.
While the guitar and bass share the anchored
bridge that we’ve come to know and love on
a classic Dano, only the four-string features
the original-spec wood saddle; the guitar
is updated with six height and intonation
adjustable saddles. In another departure from
the original ’58 spec sheet, both instruments’
maple necks are secured to their bodies with
four large screws. Back in the day, you only got
three, set in a straight line.
GIT403.rev_dan.indd 24 21/12/2015 12:42