TEST: Danelectro Baritone

 "So what is that"? Almost all of my colleagues react one way or another when they see the Danelectro Longhorn Baritone guitar for the first time. Hardly any other body shape polarizes as much as the classic Longhorn shape from the American manufacturer. In fact, the striking shape due to the very long horns of the upper and lower cutaways has to be included in the range of body forefathers immediately after the giants from Gibson and Fender. Especially in the golden electric guitar years of the 50s and 60s, Danelectro guitars and basses were a trademark in contemporary music, as their sounds can be heard on thousands of surf titles.

John Entwhistle from The Who also bought several Danelectro basses at the time, but only because roundwound strings were not yet available on the British market at that time and the only way to get these strings in the UK was to buy a Danelectro bass , which came with these same strings. Not bad either, buying a new bass when the strings are worn out sounds like “selling a car when the ashtray is full...” ;-)

The company, founded in 1947, has an eventful history behind it. Initially established as an amplifier manufacturer for Sears and Mongomery Ward, the company began building its own instruments in 1954. Despite the above-mentioned peak phase, the company was unable to stay on the market and was closed again in 1969. In 1990 the label was rediscovered and reactivated.

But why baritone guitar? What kind of strange thing is that anyway? At the time of its construction, the instrument was seen as a hybrid between a standard guitar and a bass. Your tuning normally corresponds to a guitar tuned a perfect fourth lower and is therefore designed with B-E-A-D-F#-B. Concise guitar or bass lines were often doubled with such an instrument in order to transfer them to the next higher or lower voicing. In the age of downtuning (which has now become mainstream...), these instruments can now boast a completely different feature that is usually sorely missed with a short (625 mm) or long (648 mm) standard scale: string tension.

The mostly unsuccessful attempt to add something like “tension” to the (formerly) E string using a 013 set with a dropped B tuning is achieved worlds better with the 760 mm long baritone scale length.
Even very deep tunings retain a clear definition and can be clearly located in the sound structure. The inconsequential “chattering” that is produced by almost all seven-string guitars or “four-semitone-lower-and-more tunings” comes to an end with such an instrument; here, even with extreme “basement tuning”, you can really get hands on with the instrument again hip, trendy, popular.



Construction:

One of the great special features of Danelectro is the body material from which the instrument is built. The bodies of the instruments are hollow and are made from a poplar wood frame laminated with Masonite. Masonite is a type of plastic that was also used to make boats at the time. This construction has the advantage that the weight of the instruments is very limited; no instrument exceeds the 3 kilogram limit. Of course, on the other hand, this design significantly limits the sustain of the instrument; if you expect singing and standing tones, you are completely wrong with this design. However, if you are looking for crisp lines with a high level of assertiveness, primarily played with the plectrum, you will find a good partner in this design.

The neck of the instrument is made of maple and has a medium-strength “D” profile, the fingerboard is made of rosewood and has medium-strength jumbo frets. The neck was screwed onto the body a little carelessly with a slight overhang, you won't find seamless transitions or detailed fine work, here only a neck was connected to a body! The saddle is screwed from the headstock and made of aluminum. Six encapsulated and chrome-plated tuners do an impeccable job and can easily cope with the significantly increased string tension. The bridge construction allows for individual height adjustment of the individual riders and is attached to the body with a total of three screws.

In addition to the unusual body construction, there is a second feature that has always made Danelectro instruments stand out from the crowd: the “Lipstick” pickups. Visually as if it had come from a designer's design, the history of the pickup's origins is rather mundane. In order to keep production costs low, the company bought large stocks of over-produced lipstick tubes in order to place its Alnico pickups in them. All you can see is the elegant chrome-decorated brass casing, no magnets or coils can be seen, which gives the concept a very dignified appearance. The pickups are fixed in height from the back with 2 screws each.

The switching of the instrument is quite spartan, a three-way switch and a master volume and a rather ineffective master tone fader have to suffice to carry out all switching operations. To protect the high-gloss finish, a small, transparent pickguard with two screws is attached to the body


Practice:

Danelectro polarizes! It has always been that way and will always remain that way. The latent “cardboard character” that the instrument exudes makes it an unparalleled cult object with tonal charm and independence for some, while others simply consider it a cheap instrument without the necessary punch. The fact is that Danelectro is unparalleled in its area of application. In the clean range, the instrument is absolutely convincing, especially since its hollow sound makes it relatively easy to locate it in the sound structure. Even in moderately crunchy areas, the Longhorn works with its head held high, but as the gain increases it runs out of steam in terms of sound culture and sensitivity. But this was to be expected, as the entire retro design is designed for a clearly defined area of use.

From a technical point of view, the significantly longer scale length is surprisingly easy to play. Although the fret spacing is naturally larger than with the standard scale length, the changeover phase is surprisingly quick. When it comes to chord strumming and moderate lead passages, there are actually no problems at all, only fast runs in the lower registers are a little more difficult than usual. As expected, the bends also have to be carried out with a greater amount of force, on the one hand because of the string tension, and on the other hand because the distance that you have to cover on the fretboard for a half note or full note bend is different due to the longer scale length.


Conclusion:

You can say what you want, this instrument has something. It feels good, has a lot of spirit and is guaranteed to be noticed by everyone visually and acoustically. In addition, with this moderate selling price, the inclination towards a second instrument is obvious; you can definitely expand your tonal range with the Longhorn Baritone.

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Additional Informations:

Danelectro guitars were known for their unique sound and appearance. The company's use of Masonite, a type of hardboard, for the bodies of its guitars gave them a distinctive look and sound. Danelectro guitars were also known for their lipstick-tube pickups, which produced a warm, mellow tone.

Danelectro guitars were popular with a wide range of musicians, including Jimmy Page, Duane Eddy, and Link Wray. The company's guitars were also used in a number of classic films, including "The Wild One" and "Rebel Without a Cause."

In the 1960s, Danelectro began to experience financial difficulties. The company was sold in 1969, and went out of business in 1971. However, the Danelectro name was revived in the 1990s, and the company is now once again producing guitars.

**The Early Years**

Nathan Daniel was born in 1912 in New York City. He was a self-taught engineer, and began building his own amplifiers in the early 1940s. In 1947, he founded Danelectro Corporation, and began selling amplifiers to music stores.

Danelectro's amplifiers were quickly successful, and the company soon became one of the leading manufacturers of amplifiers in the United States. In 1954, Danelectro decided to expand its product line and begin producing guitars.

**The Danelectro Guitar**

The first Danelectro guitar was the Model 59. It was a solid-body guitar with a single lipstick-tube pickup. The Model 59 was followed by a number of other models, including the Model 66, the Model 1000, and the Shorthorn.

Danelectro guitars were known for their unique sound and appearance. The use of Masonite for the bodies of the guitars gave them a distinctive look and sound. Masonite is a type of hardboard that is made from wood fibers. It is a relatively inexpensive material, and it is also very durable.

Danelectro guitars were also known for their lipstick-tube pickups. Lipstick-tube pickups are small, single-coil pickups that are mounted in the body of the guitar. They produce a warm, mellow tone that is perfect for a variety of musical styles.

**The Rise of Danelectro**

Danelectro guitars quickly became popular with a wide range of musicians. In the 1950s and 1960s, Danelectro guitars were used by some of the biggest names in music, including Jimmy Page, Duane Eddy, and Link Wray.

Danelectro guitars were also used in a number of classic films. The Model 59 can be seen in the 1959 film "The Wild One," and the Model 66 can be seen in the 1955 film "Rebel Without a Cause."

**The Fall of Danelectro**

In the 1960s, Danelectro began to experience financial difficulties. The company was sold in 1969, and went out of business in 1971. There were a number of factors that contributed to Danelectro's demise.

One factor was the rise of competition from other guitar manufacturers. In the 1960s, Fender and Gibson began to produce guitars that were more expensive than Danelectro guitars, but were also of higher quality.

Another factor was the changing tastes of musicians. In the 1960s, many musicians began to prefer guitars with a brighter, more aggressive sound. Danelectro guitars were not able to compete with these guitars.

**The Revival of Danelectro**

In the 1990s, the Danelectro name was revived by a new company called Danelectro Corp. The new company began producing guitars that were based on the original Danelectro designs.

The new Danelectro guitars were a success, and the company quickly became one of the leading manufacturers of reissue guitars. In 2006, Danelectro Corp. was acquired by the Music Group (now known as Ernie Ball Music Man).

**Danelectro Today**

Danelectro is still producing guitars today. The company offers a wide range of guitars, including reissues of classic models, as well as new models. Danelectro guitars are still popular with a wide range of musicians, and they continue to be used in a variety of musical styles.

## Deep Dive into Danelectro Models:

**1. The Model 59:** This solid-body, single-pickup wonder was the first commercial electric guitar Danelectro offered in 1954. Its features and impact are worth unpacking:

* **Unique Design:** Made entirely from Masonite, a then-unconventional material, it had a distinctive "lipstick tube" pickup and a sleek, almost futuristic look that set it apart from traditional wooden guitars.
* **Sound Characteristics:** The Masonite construction gave it a warm, mellow tone with less sustain than wooden guitars, but perfect for twangy surf rock and bluesy riffs. The lipstick tube pickup provided a smooth, even response, further contributing to its character.
* **Notable Players:** The Model 59 attracted players like Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Link Wray (songwriter of "Rumble"), and Dick Dale (king of surf rock). Its affordability and unique sound made it a favorite among beginners and established musicians alike.

**2. The Model 66 U2:** This hollow-body beauty, released in 1956, offered a distinct contrast to the Model 59:

* **Construction:** Featuring a masonite top and back with a maple core, it resonated like a semi-acoustic guitar, producing a richer, fuller sound with more sustain.
* **Versatility:** The dual lipstick tube pickups allowed for tonal variations, making it suitable for jazz, blues, and even rockabilly styles. Players could switch between pickups or combine them for a wider sonic palette.
* **Famous Users:** Lonnie Mack (rockabilly pioneer), Bruce Springsteen (early recordings), and John Lennon (on The Beatles' "Revolution") all utilized the Model 66 U2's sonic versatility.

**3. The Longhorn:** This eye-catching bass, introduced in 1956, boasted an unorthodox, long-horned body that turned heads:

* **Design Innovation:** The Longhorn's body shape wasn't just for aesthetics; it improved balance and weight distribution, making it comfortable to play. The single lipstick tube pickup delivered a punchy, focused bass sound.
* **Genre Influence:** The Longhorn became synonymous with early rock and roll, thanks to players like Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead) and Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane). Its unique look and tone contributed to the rawness and energy of those early rock sounds.

These are just a few examples, and each Danelectro model has its own story to tell. By exploring their design choices, sonic characteristics, and impact on specific music genres, we gain a deeper appreciation for the innovative spirit and lasting legacy of Danelectro guitars.