Danelectro 4423 Longhorn Bass 1958 Copper Burst (Refinished)

In 1958 Danelectro issued one of the most twisted guitarsever made, the Longhorn. With squat bodyand exaggerated cutaway horns, it looked like an Aeolian lyre imported from theTwilight Zone. The designer, Nathan Daniel, drew the design while doodling oneday and found that it was well balanced and made all the frets easilyaccessible. Three models were offered, a six-string bass, a four-string and theGuitarlin, a 31-fret guitar. All modelscame with a cream-to-bronze “appliance burst” finish.

This Longhorn is a very early example from the first year ofproduction. It has some interesting early features:

• The pickups are spaced closer together than onlater models
  
• The pickguard has a different, ‘Apostrophe’shape
  
• The strap buttons are white nylon instead ofnickel

This instrument was fully restored to almost brand-newcondition by its previous owner. He refinished the bass completely in theoriginal colour scheme, levelled the fretboard and placed new frets. The old“Skater” inline tuners were replaced by modern Kluson type tuners and thecontrol knobs were also renewed. The pickups and electronics are still the originals.