Danelectro Longhorn Model 4423 Electric Bass Guitar (1965)
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Item #4547
Danelectro Longhorn Model 4423 Model Electric Bass Guitar (1965), made in Neptune, NJ, copper/white sunburst finish, masonite and pine body, poplar neck with Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
Simply one of the coolest bass guitars ever designed! The Danelectro Longhorn Model 4423 was introduced in 1958 alongside a matching guitar and 6-string bass, and after a quick re-location of the treble pickup in 1959 survived through the 1960's with only minor alterations. Listed at $150.00, this was Danelectro's most expensive bass instrument up until the late 60's. Despite being one of the New Jersey company's best-remembered creations, the Longhorn series are all actually fairly rare, and appear to have been heavily outsold by the "Standard" models (called "shorthorns" in retrospect) that retailed around $50.00 less in the '60's.
Then and now, the Longhorn bass is a delight to play; the small, light semi-hollow body is extremely handy and the two Danelectro "lipstick tube" pickups produce a bright and punchy sound. With the short-scale neck set deep into the body and the bridge near the bottom end the instrument is very compact, being no longer than many guitars. These basses have an eccentric wiring scheme with concentric pots: the upper shaft carries as an on/off flipper for each pickup with a volume knob on the lower section. The tone is pre-set and controlled by blending the two pickups; many users found this system confusing or unreliable in actual use and most surviving examples have been modified. This instrument has all original electronics; the instrument's only modification appears to be the substitution long ago of Waverly strip tuners (as used on 1950's Danelectros) for the 1960's style "Skate Key" tuners this instrument almost certainly came with. The wooden "flipper" knobs are brown instead of the usual white, but appear original .
This particular bass dates to 1965, the same year as the 3 (!) basses John Entwistle bought in London to record the Who's iconic "My Generation" single; the story goes that as the instruments but not the unique strings had been imported to the UK. Every time he broke one of the thin, roundwound strings on a recording session, he had to buy a new bass as there were no replacements available! Several other prominent bassists made use of the Longhorn in the 1960's, including Jack Bruce who was pictured with one during the New York sessions for the Cream's DISREALI GEARS LP. When the Traveling Wilburys posed with their coolest guitars in the 1980's, erstwhile bassist Tom Petty selected a Longhorn. We are pleased to offer this very nice example of one of our favorite bass instruments.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). General wear overall but no repairs and in excellent playing condition. Appears all original except the period but incorrect tuners (no extra routing involved!), there are many small chips and dings to the finish but no major areas of wear. A great example of this rare Danno, set up as original with light gague roundwound strings complete with the original black-with-white-ends HSC. Generally Excellent Condition.
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Simply one of the coolest bass guitars ever designed! The Danelectro Longhorn Model 4423 was introduced in 1958 alongside a matching guitar and 6-string bass, and after a quick re-location of the treble pickup in 1959 survived through the 1960's with only minor alterations. Listed at $150.00, this was Danelectro's most expensive bass instrument up until the late 60's. Despite being one of the New Jersey company's best-remembered creations, the Longhorn series are all actually fairly rare, and appear to have been heavily outsold by the "Standard" models (called "shorthorns" in retrospect) that retailed around $50.00 less in the '60's.
Then and now, the Longhorn bass is a delight to play; the small, light semi-hollow body is extremely handy and the two Danelectro "lipstick tube" pickups produce a bright and punchy sound. With the short-scale neck set deep into the body and the bridge near the bottom end the instrument is very compact, being no longer than many guitars. These basses have an eccentric wiring scheme with concentric pots: the upper shaft carries as an on/off flipper for each pickup with a volume knob on the lower section. The tone is pre-set and controlled by blending the two pickups; many users found this system confusing or unreliable in actual use and most surviving examples have been modified. This instrument has all original electronics; the instrument's only modification appears to be the substitution long ago of Waverly strip tuners (as used on 1950's Danelectros) for the 1960's style "Skate Key" tuners this instrument almost certainly came with. The wooden "flipper" knobs are brown instead of the usual white, but appear original .
This particular bass dates to 1965, the same year as the 3 (!) basses John Entwistle bought in London to record the Who's iconic "My Generation" single; the story goes that as the instruments but not the unique strings had been imported to the UK. Every time he broke one of the thin, roundwound strings on a recording session, he had to buy a new bass as there were no replacements available! Several other prominent bassists made use of the Longhorn in the 1960's, including Jack Bruce who was pictured with one during the New York sessions for the Cream's DISREALI GEARS LP. When the Traveling Wilburys posed with their coolest guitars in the 1980's, erstwhile bassist Tom Petty selected a Longhorn. We are pleased to offer this very nice example of one of our favorite bass instruments.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). General wear overall but no repairs and in excellent playing condition. Appears all original except the period but incorrect tuners (no extra routing involved!), there are many small chips and dings to the finish but no major areas of wear. A great example of this rare Danno, set up as original with light gague roundwound strings complete with the original black-with-white-ends HSC. Generally Excellent Condition.
