Danelectro 58 Longhorn Bass BK

There are a lot of options for a good quality, great sounding bass and you can spend exorbitant amounts for features that make you feel like you're getting your money's worth, but the Danelectro Longhorn is proof that you don't have to spend big and in fact, you can get more "bang for you buck".

Build Quality. Just because it's relatively cheap, doesn't mean that this is a poorly made instrument. It's simple construction is very well put together and it makes this bass very light. The frets are finished very nicely and the short-scale neck is very easy to play with a superb feel. The finish on the neck and body is flawless and looks stunning and the tape binding around the body is a lovely and unique touch that gives all Dano's a nice something extra that you don't find elsewhere.

Parts. The bridge is very solid and even without adjustable saddles, the intonation is good and the rosewood saddle offers a lovely warmth to the tone. If you're think this is a "cop-out", I'd reference that no matter of cost, all great acoustics have a non-intonatable bridge saddle and nobody has ever complained about that! The aluminium nut offers some brightness and the other end of the string and most importantly means that tonally, the open string is much closer to a fretted note. Finally, the tuning machines are excellent. Kluson styled, they are very solid and hold the string very stably.

Electronics. Lipstick pickups offer superb clarity and a fully rich tone with a lot of punch and the controls are simple, a stacked volume and tone for each pickup.

Conclusion. This bass might be light but it's not a "lightweight". Studio or stage, this is serious tone to be had for very un-serious money.

One of the best guitars I've bought. It is cheaply made but it is very playable, very light, sounds great and as a bonus it looks weird. It has character and you could play it all day long. Small scale so great for guitarists changing over. It is hollow plastic so super light. It does feel solid but i can't help think I would prefer a wooden solid or chambered version. Possibly not a workhorse though I may be wrong. Fell in love with it.