Instead of Danelectro’s classic poplar frame with a Masonite top and back, the new basses utilize a plywood frame with a pressed-wood front and back, which Danelectro feels offers better tone. The non-contoured body is mostly hollow, making the Dano fairly light and comfortable while giving it a slight acoustic zing. I’m all for authenticity on reissues, but the wooden saddle design used on the original Danelectros and earlier reissues made intonating each string impossible. The new Danos’ adjustable bridge is a big step in the right direction, but the intonation screws are directly under the strings, so you have to move the string aside to set the intonation. The upgraded tuners are an unequivocal improvement; they are sturdier and easier to use, even though they’re still guitar tuners.
The matte-finished hardware, yellowed pickguard, and vinyl body-binding tape gave the basses a well-aged vibe and cool look. The binding tape offered a nice grippy surface that kept the ’63s firmly planted on my lap. The thick pickguard was a good thumbrest for fingerstyle playing, but this thickness left little room for finger pops. (This is understandable, considering Larry Graham hadn’t yet invented slapping when the original was released in 1963.)
Plugged in, the Dano ’63s sounded solid and rootsy, with earthy fundamentals and jangly highs. Each bass had an impressively clear tone that was detailed, thick, and flexible. This is attributable, at least in part, to the unique lipstick-tube pickups, one of Danelectro’s gifts to the world. Designed by Danelectro founder Nathan Daniel, the pickups’ coils were originally fitted inside tubes sourced from a lipstick tube manufacturer. Besides looking extremely cool, the tubes provide some shielding. The new Dano single-coils no longer use actual lipstick tubes, but they’ve been redesigned to be closer in spec to the originals than the previous reissues.
Testing the Dano Long Scale and Short Scale together presented a unique opportunity to try instruments that are identical, save scale length. Interestingly, they sounded similar, but the Short Scale sounded a bit darker and had a little more fundamental, while the Long Scale sounded almost twangy and slightly richer in harmonic overtones. The most noticeable difference was feel. Digging in with a pick or fingers was a little easier on the Long Scale, as the Short Scale’s lower string tension made it more sensitive to fret noise from hard picking or plucking.
On the soloed neck pickup, both basses had a meaty, rocking midrange sound that was something like a slightly hollowish version of a P-Bass. The soloed bridge pickup’s clear, detailed voice and throaty punch was good for parts requiring articulation and presence. Blended, the pickups made a sproingy mid-scoop that sounded especially fabulous with a pick and palm-muting, like the tic-tac-style bass lines Danelectro basses and baritones were used for on early-’60s Nashville hits.
The Dano ’63s’ hardcore retro look will either crinkle your nose or bring a smile to your face, and their clear yet hollow sound make them unlikely candidates for a do-it-all main bass. Nevertheless, they have a unique yet versatile sound that’s worth checking out—making the Danelectro ’63 Long Scale and Short Scale basses a good choice for a second or third instrument. At $300, they’re a tempting addition to your quiver.
TECH SPECS
Body Plywood frame w/pressed-wood top and back
Neck Maple
Fingerboard Rosewood
Pickups Danelectro single-coil lipstick
Controls Volume, tone
Nut Aluminum
Scale 34" (Long Scale); 30" (Short Scale)
Weight 6.5 lbs (Long Scale); 6.5 lbs (Short Scale)
Made in China
Warranty One year limited
List $349
Street $300
Pros Heavy retro vibe; thick, versatile tone; low price
Cons Love-it-or-leave-it styling
Bottom Line Great-sounding basses with performance-enhancing improvements, slathered in vintage styling.
Contact 888-643-8950 www.danelectro.com