Danelectro Standard Shorthorn Model 3612 Electric 6-String Bass Guitar (1961/4), ser. #2031, chipboard case.

Danelectro Standard Shorthorn Model 3612 Model Electric 6-String Bass Guitar (1961/4), made in Neptune, NJ, serial # 2031, bronze lacquer finish, masonite and pine body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, chipboard case. This is a nicely preserved example of a relatively uncommon -- and now much sought after -- Danelectro creation. The original Shorthorn guitar and matching 4-string bass are fairly common finds as old Dan-O's go, the 6-string bass version was made in far smaller numbers than either and is much less commonly encountered. This copper-top beauty is a great playing and sounding example of the Model 3612. It is either a factory re-neck or was assembled from two different instruments as the body and associated components date to 1961 (the pots are coded to the 40th week of 1960) while the neck is from the 1964-5 period. Even so it is entirely authentic period components with all the "classic" 1960s Dan-O features: A semi-hollow Masonite and pine body topped with the "seal"-shaped white Masonite pickguard, earlier style white pebble vinyl side covering, two-piece metal strap buttons and white plastic ridged knobs. The single lipstick tube pickup is controlled with a volume and tone knob, the latter mated to a 3-way tone modifier switch that offers two different roll-off settings for bass and treble. The short 15-fret neck has a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and is topped with the trademark "coke bottle" headstock. This is adorned with a vertical silver Danelectro logo, "Totally Shielded" sticker, and fitted with the Danelectro-made "skate key" strip tuners introduced in 1964. This is a great-sounding 6-string bass/Baritone guitar with the classic Dan-o twang factor, even with only a single pickup. We don't know this ones exact history, but it is one of the best playing and sounding of these we have had!Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.). Overall this is a relatively clean example of this 6-string twanger with some typical light wear and no notable repairs. There are some small scrapes and dings to the top finish, mostly along the upper edge. The back has one noticeable scrape, and some light greening to the metallic paint in spots. The back of the neck has very clean with hardly any of the typical "greened" and worn-away areas; the metallic copper color coat was sprayed OVER the clearcoat, so it wears very quickly on contact with the hand. Even considering its two-stage origins this is one of the nicer of these 6-string Shorthorns we have had and a fine instrument, especially considering it's made mostly of Masonite! It is currently set up in the original 6-string bass (E-E) configuration but can be easily adapted for Baritone (B-B or A-A) tuning if desired. It includes a period grey chipboard case we would describe as semi-functional, but a modern gig bag can be included as well if desired. Excellent Condition.