When Danelectro guitars made their comeback around the turn of the century, I tried a few in music shops, including the new Longhorn basses. I remember thinking: very light, super playable, and with a bell-like tone that stood out. But back then, I was still skeptical. The design looked toy-like, the vinyl tape around the edges seemed odd, and that floating bridge didn’t inspire confidence. I also firmly believed that “real” basses had to be long scale. So I passed.
Still, the feel of those Danelectros stuck with me.
Fast forward to now: when the Red Hot Longhorn Bass appeared, I decided to give it a proper chance—and I’m glad I did.
This version features an f-hole, making it a true semi-hollow (though, honestly, all Danelectros are in practice). The oxblood red finish looks fantastic, and the build has seen some subtle but smart upgrades. The edge of the back is nicely rounded and blends seamlessly into the sides—no vinyl tape this time. It’s surprisingly elegant, considering the combination of hardboard and simple wood. Time will tell how it holds up structurally, but visually and ergonomically, it’s a step forward.
Despite the featherweight body and 24-fret neck, there’s no neck dive at all. That’s impressive.
The neck itself is a highlight: slim, but not too slim, with a comfortable D-shape near the headstock that flattens nicely as you move toward the body. As someone who mostly plays fingerstyle, I find it very natural and easy to play.
Intonation was another pleasant surprise. I expected issues with the fixed saddle, but it’s spot-on. For the record, the bridge is adjustable—you can move it forward or backward, and tilt it using a screw underneath.
Tonally, the Red Hot Longhorn delivers that classic Danelectro sound through its lipstick pickups. They may not be for everyone, but I love their warm, slightly twangy tone. There’s a 3-way pickup selector, one volume, and one tone knob. At first, I thought I’d miss the traditional dual volume/tone setup from the standard Longhorns, but this simpler layout has proven surprisingly versatile for my needs.
Is it a bit pricey for an instrument made mostly of hardboard and simple woods? Maybe. But between the looks, comfort, tone, and charm, I’m very happy with it.
Final verdict: Retro look, great feel, classic tone. A quirky bass that delivers where it counts.
