New/old build. It’s late. I need to get this completed.
This is the second instrument that I have been involved in for this client. On the first build, I built the body, the neck was an original vintage Danelectro Longhorn neck. The painting and assembly was handled by another company that I was involved with. A really cool build.
Later, the client contacted me with a new project. He had a vintage Danelectro built bass VI neck. The logo on the headstock reads “Falcon ‘6”. I never seen this logo, but I have seen other brands on legit Dano necks. Even cooler, the headstock face has been signed by Duane Eddy.
The client asked for; Longhorn semi hollow body (swamp ash center with poplar wings for back/sides. One piece.), with a curly maple top. Two vintage Dano lipstick pickups, mounted side by side, wired in series. The bridge is a custom Tele half bridge, string through the body, with a brass string retainer mounted in the back. It will have a single volume control.
The finish will be what he always requests; a black/grey stain over the figured top, with a black burst around the edges. The back and sides will be black.
The cool thing about this build is the client asked about having a leather side/rim covering binding (ala Gretsch), but matching the color. he mentioned having a leather western tooling pattern, which sounded pretty cool to me.
I used to do leatherwork years ago, but once I started working on a design, I quickly learned that I needed a expert. Enter Cody Hixson, he lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, and he is a master at leatherwork. When Fender decided to offer a very limited edition (100 pieces) replica of Waylon Jennings’ iconic leather clad Telecaster, they hired Cody to do the tooling.
I described what I had in mind and the Man came through. Not only did he nail the western belt look, he took into account my request to add my logo into his work. Did I mention that Cody Hixson Rocks?
I had the body (back/sides) already, I built a second body when I built his Dano styled 4 string Loghorn. He has named the basses “Damneletric” . Lol.
Enough with the ramblings, here’s some pics.
Currently I need to route the pickup and control cavities. Next I will route the side/rim to accept the leather side binding. It is approx. 1/4” thick. I have decide to install the leatherwork after the body has been finished/painted.
This is where I am at now. Unlike my other builds, I have to complete this on as soon as possible. More to come…
It was so nice seeing the pictures. I look forward to seeing more!
