Marc S

Wow @msb - the original rounds from '98 or so. It's amazing they've lasted that long! Have you done anything to clean / rejuvenate them? I've never had any strings last that long.

Just by way of note. I had got used to the roundwound strings on my Dano, and I must admit, i quite liked the sound they produced, along with their fairly low tension.

I wanted to try some flats on it, and I spotted a set of La Bella low tension flats on this forum (thanks @Schlippy) They arrived the other day, and I fitted them straight away....

They're higher tension than the rounds originally on the bass, and higher tension than my usual TI flats. I took the bass along to a living room jam last night, and was quite pleased with the tone, through my small practice amp. It definitely had more "thump" and less top end. So quite different from before the string change.

I'm taking it to rehearsal with my 5 piece rock covers band tonight, and will be playing through a bigger amp - so I'll be able to make a better assessment of the difference in sound. So far though, so good... but I'm now thinking, this could still be the one bass I may end up preferring with round wounds lol 😆 

EDIT: or am I just looking for an excuse to have two Danos... one with rounds, and one with flats?😉 

17 hours ago, Moonshinegtrs said:

.....Here's a pic of my employee Tyler, holding it. It's bigger then he is. LOl. 

 

Wow - that's amazing!

If that's from 1985, it's in great condition. I'm not particularly a fan, or someone  who dislikes Pangborn's - but I quite like the look of that. Is it fairly lightweight, given that it's made of graphite?

1 hour ago, msb said:

I have an early Shinko Korean Longhorn , a Chinese Dolphin nose and a recent Korean  short scale DC with the truss rod cover. I’ve only had to adjust the Longhorn twice in over twenty years. It does not require seasonal adjustments like Fender style instruments. I picked up the Dolphin nose about seven or eight years ago , I adjusted things when I bought it , that’s been it. I’ve adjusted the DC just once. I did change the adjustable metal bridge to a wooden one. The wood sounds better and there is a sweet spot for it.

I have heard other say that the truss rod rarely needs adjusting. I tweaked mine slightly a few days after getting it - just to make the action feel better for me. I also adjusted the bridge (ever so slightly) the other day. That was so simple - I just raised one of the screws a tiny amount. I worked, and I couldn't get over how simple that adjustment was.

It may have been you @msb who said earlier, that the original bridge with the wooden piece sounds better - I originally thought about upgrading the bridge, but I really like the sound of the bass. It definitely has a slight acoustic "woodiness" to the tone. So I think I'll leave the original bridge where it is.

@nilorius I was never a fan, due to not liking the design / shape.... but I am completely sold on the Longhorn now - seeing and hearing one played live, made me a convert - especially as they're so damn light on the shoulder, and so comfortable to play and easy on the left hand. As I've mentioned before, I'm just not playing my beloved Precision now. When I pick it up, I can't believe how heavy it is, and how chunky the neck is. Moreover, the sound of the Dano blows me away every time.

19 hours ago, Paul S said:

 

I only play shorties now and only use TI flats.  I think the low tension is something I particularly like about them, along with the tone and feel under the fingertip.

I tend to prefer low tension flats too. I previously had high tension flats on another bass, and found I developed some joint pain in my right hand fingers, after fitting low tension TI's, the pain stopped. 

I was just wondering, on a short scale bass, whether TI's might be a bit too low tension, and be too "floppy"? I suppose I should just get a set and try them.

@Paul S - I had originally wanted to swap the strings for some flats - possibly TI's (as they're my fave strings on my long scale basses) but at the moment, I have the strings that came on the bass. They hadn't had much use, and I've grown quite fond of the sound. I must get around to trying flats - but I'm now wondering whether TI's would be too low tension on a shortie. What do you think?

24 minutes ago, Paul S said:

 

That's a great tip. thanks.

 

What distinguishes the older Korean ones from the more recent Chinese (?) ones?

I'm not sure there are many differences - but the main one for me, is that my Chinese model has the truss rod adjuster at the head of the neck. Which means you don't have to take the neck off to adjust it. That's a bonus IMHO

1 hour ago, Paul S said:

 

Here it is.  All £230 of it [/smug]  managed to fit some TI Flats on it, too.  The worst issue is the side tape is bubbling up in a couple of places.  I can live with that.

 

Looks great @Paul S - bargain too. The tape is a fairly common problem, apparently, and also a fairly easy fix from what I've heard. I suppose the main issue would be sourcing the material?
Used my Dano for a whole gig the other week (up until now, it has been mainly rehearsals and for a few songs, where I mostly play upright). I used it in my 5 piece rock covers band for the first time.... and they absolutely loved the sound. Got some nice comments from audience members too (and that doesn't happen too often when playing in that band).

I'm still really pleased with my Dano, and looking forward to gigging it again  

16 hours ago, msb said:

I suspect they’re going to sell a boatload of those red ones with the binding. I think I’m safe until I look at a good photo of one … 

Nah, you'll be fine @msb - go on, take a quick look..... go on, go on, go on  

20 hours ago, Paul S said:

 

i can't quite believe my luck.  One popped up on eBay, black, description said he was listing it cheap because it was tatty.  I made a low offer and to my astonishment it was accepted.  It arrived today and I would say it is no tattier than any others I've seen, but £200 cheaper!  Result.  I may take pics when I have cleaned and fettled it but, well, it is a black Longhorn.

 

Ah, @Paul S I wondered how long it would be, before you succumbed to the temptation! lol. Sounds like you got a real bargain there good sir. Hope you're really happy with it.

I have to say, I'm hardly picking up my fave Precision now (should I sell? hmm). I gigged the Dano last saturday, with my Peavey MiniMax head and Acoustic Image cab, and it sounded absolutely awesome. Band members commented on how they could all hear me, and how well the sound cut through. (there was no room for monitors where we were playing). A fellow bassist was there, who I know a bit, also commented on how great the bass sounded. Really really pleased with my Dano, the Peavey head and the AI cab, which is so tiny, yet incredibly powerful for its' size.

Only thing Paul.... I keep going back to look at that new Dano Longhorn, in red and with the f-hole. Doh!  

I have a Mex P/J Mustang which is a damn good bass. My Danelectro Longhorn though......
I'm playing it all the time. I absolutely love the weight, balance, feel and sound of it. I'm mostly gigging my shortscales now. 
I haven't even picked up my beloved Fiesta Red Fender P for a while.

I understand your dilemma. Yet I also feel the pain of your aching shoulder! (As the years advance).

As others have said - just do what you have to, in order to keep playing. Alternatively, you could do what I did, and buy a super-lightweight bass, like a Danelectro longhorn. Hmm.... would that fit in with a Funk-pop band? 😉 

I have bought & sold on FB marketplace in the past, without any issues - but the items have always been local, or within a driveable distance. It has worked well for me this way, as I've been able to try before buying, or allow a buyer to do the same for something I've sold.

I can understand your reluctance at sending a complete stranger a grand - and without having tried the bass, or even laid eyes on it.

I'm not sure I would do it - but perhaps take a trip and have an evening (or two) in the area, or en-route? At least you'd get a mini break / weekend trip. But if you do go ahead and buy remotely - definitely get them to send an invoice first, and use PayPal (not F & F) so you may have some sort of guarantee / recourse.

@ped's suggestion of a video call would be a good idea too - and get them to show you the bass during the call.

best of luck with it

PS the only time i bought a bass i hadnt seen / tried was via another BC member... and all went well. (My most recent purchase - a Danelectro).

PPS. I have found there are more "chancers" on FB marketplace recently. Having sold quite a bit in the past, these days I've not sold much on there at all. eg. If I advertise something for £150 - I get people offering me £60 and telling me my item is way way overpriced, and they can get it anywhere else for £80 tops! So I tell them to do so....

Lovely looking vintage Fender, in great condition, considering it's 50 years old!  
Really sorry to hear you no longer play  
GLWTS

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. I had several online chats with Nick. I once bought a bass from him - an oly white 2000's Precision.

He always seemed a decent guy, and great to chat with. It was nice to have met him. We did discuss me heading to Monmouth, and heading out for a pint. Really wish we'd done that now 😪 

Sincere condolences to his family. RIP Old Horse Murphy.

16 hours ago, tinyd said:

Not sure if this has been shared before but his results sound pretty good at the end:
 

 

Excellent. Thanks for sharing this video @tinyd  

It may not be a great tune, and there may be countless "better" examples of 80's and electronic music out there - but the DJ and the record exec must like it, and after all, taste is an individual thing. Plus, it's also not the worst from that genre, nor that era. Best of luck to them, and this really is quite a nice story.

If anyone finds the music I recorded around that time, I will deny I had anything to do with it furiously  

EDIT: Thanks for sharing this @Jonesy - it put a smile on my miserable old face anyway lol

Lovely bass. I had an identical one, from around the same era. It was lovely to play, and sounded amazing.
Really sorry to hear of your health issues @FinnDave sad times indeed

On 29/02/2024 at 18:51, Skin Lewis said:

Another ringing endorsement:

 

 

A ringing endorsement indeed 😀 

A huge, grinding bass tone indeed @Maude  
Still enjoying my Danelectro loads. I've rehearsed with several bands, using the bass now, and I'm still loving the sound and playability and of course, it's weight. I haven't changed strings as of yet - I quite like it the way it is.... for now. Also of note - I have hardly touched my other basses, particularly the long scale ones, since acquiring this beauty

Hi @Seamoon Stone

Welcome to Basschat

Just wondering whether a combination of factors may help;

Do you play finger-style? It may be worth playing with a pick, if the problem is in fingers on your right hand.

Also, could lower tension strings help? I had some high tension flats on a bass, and some joints on my right hand were starting to ache - so I put low tension TI flats on that bass, and the problem stopped.

Re left hand / stretching issues, I find short scale basses a bit easier on the left hand these days.

Hope you can sort your problems and continue enjoying your bass playing. Best of luck. 

Happy NBD.

I almost went for one of these in Red a few years back. It was cheap and in good condition- I opted for a MIM Mustang in the end, and really like it.

It's good to play a few different scale lengths IMO, as its good to be able to swap between different scale basses when you want, without having to think too much about it.

As you get older, lighter weight instruments become more attractive, and less stretching of the fretting hand becomes a more preferable option too.

Enjoy your new bass 😀 

24 minutes ago, JazzyJ said:

Haven't owned my Pro that long but it ain't going anywhere soon.

 

Oooh - that looks rather lovely 😀 

Even better without the edge / binding tape.