Danelectro 58 Longhorn Baritone BB

Danelectro 58 Longhorn Baritone BB review

The Danelectro 58 Longhorn Baritone BB is a distinctive, long-scale instrument built around a simple idea: give players a lower register while retaining the familiar layout of an electric guitar. Its 756 mm, or 29.75-inch, scale is the central specification. The model has been available since March 2023 and lists for $599. Danelectro gives it a Black Burst finish, a sharply recognizable Longhorn silhouette, and a 24-fret fingerboard.

Owner feedback is strongly positive about the instrument's finish, neck, sound, and low weight. One player described the build quality as surprisingly good for the price and had no complaints about the neck or tone. Another praised its clean sound and said it felt exceptionally light. These are subjective impressions rather than guarantees about every example, but they suggest that the Longhorn's appeal is not limited to its unusual shape.

Construction and playability

The body frame and middle block are poplar, with Masonite used for the top and back. The bolt-on maple neck has a D profile, and the Pao Ferro fingerboard has a 356 mm radius and 24 frets. The combination gives the instrument a familiar electric guitar construction, while the extended scale changes the feel under the fretting hand and picking hand. Players coming from a standard-scale guitar should expect to adjust to the longer reach and string tension.

Danelectro specifies a fully adjustable bridge, Kluson-style tuning machines, and a three-per-side "Bottle" headstock. There is no tremolo. The supplied information does not identify string gauges, so players should check the installed strings and setup rather than assume a particular gauge or tuning. The bridge's adjustability offers room for setup changes, though any adjustment should account for the instrument's long scale and the player's chosen tuning.

The body's low weight stood out in one owner's experience. That can matter during long rehearsals or sets, especially for players who prefer a less substantial instrument on a strap. The comments also call out the finish and overall appearance as strong points. The silhouette is plainly unconventional, so its visual character will be a deciding factor for some buyers rather than a neutral detail.

Pickups and controls

The pickup system consists of two high-output lipstick-style single-coil pickups. Danelectro pairs them with two stacked volume and tone controls. Each control stack combines two functions, so a player needs to identify which section adjusts volume and which adjusts tone. One owner initially missed that the controls were stacked and needed time to get used to them. That is a small learning curve, but it is worth knowing before a first rehearsal or recording session.

Reports on the sound are favorable, particularly for clean tones. One player described the tone as a highlight and said the instrument worked well for classic rock, stoner rock, rockabilly, and post-rock. They also found reverb and tremolo effects pleasing, although the guitar itself has no tremolo system. That distinction matters: an effect can create a tremolo sound, but it does not add a mechanical tremolo to the instrument.

The same owner reported some noise from the electronics and rated the instrument lower for that reason. This is a useful counterpoint to the positive comments about tone. Single-coil pickups can be more susceptible to environmental hum than hum-canceling designs, but the reported noise is an individual observation, not a measured result for every guitar. Buyers who need quiet operation in a high-gain setup should try the instrument in their own signal chain if possible.

Who should consider it?

The 58 Longhorn Baritone BB suits players who want an extended-scale instrument for lower-register parts and value a clear, characterful clean sound. Its reported strengths also make it a plausible choice for classic rock, rockabilly, stoner rock, and atmospheric post-rock. A reviewer specifically noted that it worked well for the post-rock style associated with Tortoise. There is not enough information to make a firm claim about modern metal performance, and that player was unsure of its suitability for that style.

At $599, the Danelectro combines a 29.75-inch scale, two lipstick single coils, a bolt-on maple neck, and an unusual body design. The field feedback points to strong perceived finish quality and a comfortable, very light feel, alongside a control layout that takes a little getting used to and a possible electronics-noise concern. Neither a case nor a gig bag is included. For players drawn to the Longhorn shape and baritone range, it offers a specific, well-defined character. Those who need a tremolo or want to avoid single-coil noise should factor those limitations into a hands-on trial.