Danelectro U1 Silvertone Bass

Danelectro never manufactured a U-1 bass. U-1, U-2 and U-3 designations are only for guitars with one, two or three pickups. The Silvertone 1444 four string is the only Danelectro built bass with a U style body. Much like what is known as a Les Paul body. Most people think these basses are all the same from 1959 to 1966 however, there are three separate models. The bass has 24 frets with genuine Brazilian rosewood and is designed to have extremely light flat wound strings, the E being only .079. The bass is 90% hollow and weighs only about seven pounds. This is due to a pine skeletal construction which is overlaid with hard Masonite. My 1966 version is 43 years old and is cosmetically perfect with no body deterioration or finish cracks. It has one passive neck split tube pickup and volume and tone controls with a .1mfd tone cap. Tuners vary and are mostly Kluson, but remember the strings are small. The bass was only available in black with white side trim and clear pickgaurd.The neck has nonadjustable dual steel beam reinforcement and is built of poplar. The third generation bass has the first neck tilt system. The bridge is much like the modern Gibson Thunderbird bass. The controls are easy to get around on.

The 1444 bass was sold in several amplifier combination sets. The most popular being the tube powered Silvertone 1483. I???ve used mine on several high powered amplifiers with no feedback due to the shielded warm and thick sounding pickup. The bass has very distinct personalities when used with a pick or finger play. It has the tone of the gods. These basses are used in the studio and on stage. They are extremely durable. Nothing to dislike, setups a breeze.

The neck of this bass is thin and quick. Better then most basses manufactured today. The Danelectro guitar necks which are of the same construction as the 1444 bass was on Randy Rhoads of Ozzie Osbourne custom polka dot V guitar. Also Karl Sandavol designed guitars with Danelectro necks for George Lynch of Dokken and Eddie VanHalen. This is a really nice neck. Your fingers just float due to the neck having no radius. The pickups are very easily adjusted, better been most. No flaws to speak of except people are still trying to put large strings on the bass. They do not work; use the LaBella set that it is designed for.

The 1444 bass could withstand a hurricane. The hardware has lasted 43 years. The finish still sparkles like the Nile. The strap buttons are well thought out and the neck never needs adjustment due to the twin I beam rock solid never warp neck. Once properly setup the bass is solid. I would use this bass on a gig as first choice, but going on a gig without a backup is just plan stupid.

The original warranty was for one year, but the Danelectro Company of Neptune city, New Jersey has been closed since 1969. As always you really have to find yourself an experienced Luther that you can trust. The string nut is aluminum and if cut wrong will need to be custom made since it is held fast with a screw.

I've been playing for 30 years and the 1444 was my first bass. I liked it so much that I purchased a new one. A quality original 1444 will cost you about $900.00. Again there is only one set of strings currently available that truly fit this bass which cost about $35.00 (2009) built my LaBella. This string set is made specifically for all Danelectro basses. The neck, weight balance and comfort are unsurpassed. I have several quality basses and play the 1444 just as much. They are a nice fun instrument. My only dislike is that I prefer the bottom jack plug as opposed to the face plug. Inspect the electronics, nut and bridge thoroughly for modifications because nothing is required. The pickup holds up well compared to modern pickups. Can't beat that old vintage sound. Buy one you'll see.

Mine is a 1963 [ which I bought new! with the 15" speaker amp] a black Silvertone U-1 with the very small dolphin head. One lipstick tube pickup [ to which i added a Barcus-Berry Contact pickup under the and and extra volume control and pickup selector switch] Other than that its all orig. Long Scale neck [24 fret]. Typical Dano construction. Masonite and soft wood with paint and plastic. Tuners are weird Kluson De-Luxe small guitar style with BIG holes drilled through them. Hard case made of some 1950's board with tolex covering [ still intact!]

Ive used this in Rock bands, country bands, bluegrass bands, jazz bands and about anything else I've played since 1963. Rich DEEP bass response [ now through a Fender Bassman with a 15" speaker] Vol./Treble controls. It sounds great, not really like other basses though. Its VERY light and comfortible [ i have a Fender p-fretless which is 3x as heavy]. VERY responsive. Great action all the way up to the 24th fret.

Fit and finish are vintage dano. Nothing speical BUT still 100% intact and working. Set up is very simple and I almost never change it. Wood quality is of course dano [ fair at best- a poplar neck is soft and dentible] Hardware is chromed brass and still v. good.

I'm still playing it since 1963 and it still sounds great. It should last another 40 years. Very solid. IF something breaks i think the new dano. stuff [ or Jerry Jones] will fit. Neck truss is still great[ danos are legendary for their truss rods]

GONE---completly gone. I hot-rodded the new pickup but other than that it never needed fixing.

Great Bass. I was so glad they brought the company back [ even from Korea- these things were not works of art when they were made in Jersey] I love this bass. Ive had others [ 61 Fender P, 76 Fender P-fretless] but this is my all time favorite. Light, loud, easy to play all night. Great instrument. Ive hot rodded some other flea market danos. but I'm now sorry I did [Vintage, ya know!!] The Barcus-Berry Contact pickup [ from an old classical guitar] gives it a woody growl[ kinda like a rickenbacker sound] and with the combination of the two pus. its quite a rocker. Unique sounding.