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MGR/Duck Dunlap/ Casper, Wyoming « Danelectro Innuendo »
Published on 03/27/03 at 15:00 Purchased 9/13/02 from "Musician's Friend" at a close-out price of $149.99(and freight prepaid)!! Having seen and played an "Innuendo 6" locally, I was impressed with the features,look,and over all quality to price point value of these adorable little "cheese-logs", even at the original LIST price. Being a guitar and bass player, the idea of a baritone intrigued me; the fact the "Innuendo 6" got a "Guitar Player Editors Pick Award",and the low price made it a no-brainer/low risk acquisition.
Basically,what's NOT to like?? IMHO,this guitar is BRILLIANT!! A departure from Evets Company's (owner of the Dano trademark who brought us those horrible little "Qwik-Tune" guitar/bass tuners in the '90's)earlier re-issue's of original vintage '50's Dano's, the "Innuendo" retains a vintage vibe with it's "Reversed Stratish"/Mosrite "Ventures" body style and "Coke-bottle" 3 on-a-side headstock.
However, the three ceramic passive single coils in a "Stratish" configuration with a standard 5-way switch provides a wider usable tonal range than the prior dual"lipstick" models(and contrary to "Guitar Player's" review of the 6 string version,I don't find the 5-way in an "awkward" position; it takes some getting use to, but it isn't in the way).
The real "thrill'a" of this unit is the four white on-off buttons just "north" of the four rotary controls which activate (from top to bottom)#1.A high gain preamp/overdrive circuit with a variable "resonance" control (rotary control#3), #2.A set-rate/set-depth chorus, #3.A set depth/variable speed tremelo (rotary control #4),and #4.A "slap-back" Echo. The other two rotary controls are Master Volume(#1)and Tone(#2).
BE FOREWARNED!!REDUCE VOLUME TO 0 BEFORE ENGAGING THE PREAMP/OVERDRIVE CIRCUIT! This thing has GOBS of gain and inadvertantly turning it on (especially if the "resonance" control is on it's high side)is guaranteed to raise sonic anarchy from Hell immediately. Once tamed, this is way hip- it's basically what you get when you kick in a a "wah" pedal and use it as a "fixed" filter(a'la Jeff Beck). Sweeping the rotary control goes from a low, somewhat muddy wah growl to unbelieveably edgy "ice-pick-in-the-ears" treble boost, with variable TASTY tone spots between.The amount of boost available is incredible and capable of punching an amp's front end hard;GREAT if your using tube amplification (probably dog-doo with solid state).
The chorus(#2)is good although it's speed and depth are both preset (fortunately, it's a good overall setting). I've heard it described as "lumpy" which I couldn't envision- the sweep is smooth and the effect quality is good. I've heard better, I've heard WAY worse. The tremelo (#3),which is also a set depth but IS speed adjustable, can be combined to get some interesting faux "rotating speakerish" sounds. On it's own it's great for Spagetti Western soundtracks, Tommy James wannabees, surfdudes,or anyone wanting that "PULSE".
Finally, the "slap-back" echo is just that- as with the chorus, it's parameters are "set", but it sounds good and by itself conjures up the early "rock-a-billy"/Sun Studio room ambiance.
There are two side mounted 1/4" output jacks; one bypasses the effects, the other "engages" them (be sure and remove your cable when your done playing or it'll eat the battery). Both can be run at the same time, although I haven't tried it yet.
The vintage 6-screw "Stratish" style vibrato/bridge is obviously NOT going to hold tune under EVH-type whammy histrionics, but seems to work well for slow swells and pitch "quivers",which works for me.
I have very few faults with this guitar. With it's 30" scale, the neck length makes it a "long neck goose", which takes some getting used to (suprizingly, it balances fairly well). Also, finding string sets can be problematic (it uses .013-.070 gauge sets). And somewhere down the line, I'd like to install a humbucker in the bridge position for "more nuts", as I'm a S/S/H guy.
I'm betting most guy's into the current de-tuned metal (Korn/Coal Chamber/etc.) WON'T like this guitar as it sits- with the three single coils it wouldn't be thick or heavy enough. However, with a switch of pickups, I think it could grind with the best of 'em (and maybe better). The low end chunk from the 30" scale and .013"-.070" string sets thru a good full size humbucker would be skull crushing!
Manufactured in Korea (which isn't the stigma it used to be- the quality keeps increasing);30" scale/24 fret unbound maple bolt-neck with adjustable truss rod (at the body end, unfortunately),rosewood fretboard,pearl dot position markers,and a "Coke-bottle" 3 on-a-side headstock with chrome Gotoh or Ping diecast machine heads. The fretwork is good without ragged ends protruding from the side of the neck and the machines work fine. The nut is of the black plastic/graphite(?)variety and was cut fairly well.
The solid body is carefully carved/routed out of the finest Korean solid core multiply laminate (i.e. plywood)money can buy (they actually did an amazingly good job of routing it out for the electronics) and the "Red Sunburst" partial transparent finish (it's a solid red around the edges and where the bodies tapered for an armrest to conceal the plywood of the body) is well applied, glossy and attractive with no runs,streaking, or "orange peel" that I could find. The pickguard's a single ply white pearloid (Mutha'of toilet seat-strangely,the trem spring cover and battery cover are non-matching single ply solid white). The pup covers,selector switch tip,whammy tip and knobs are all the standard white plastic "Stratish" copies and the chrome vintage type bridge/vibrato is your basic serviceable import unit. The strap buttons are nice metal ones, not the cheesey plastic ones they used on the vintage reissue models.
The overall build quality is excellent for a guitar at this price point. No burred screw heads,the neck pocket is tight and everything lines up great. The pickups sound o.k. to good, and the quality of the electronics seems to be o.k.(typical dime size import pots,etc.- With four built in effects, there's quite a bit of circuitry under the pickguard on stacked circuit boards). They even inset brass bushings in the body for the battery cover machine screws so they wouldn't strip-out over time. Nice touch!
I've been playing guitar on and off since I was 8 years old,did weekend casuals before I was out of high school,picked up the bass in the '70's, and have done some roadwork.I worked in a music store for 6-7 years in the '90's, doing all the tech and repair work. My personal instrument stash of guitars and basses is now over 24,with a fair amount of high-end units.
I was looking for something unusual when I bought this- a "color" instrument in a manner of speaking. Having never played a baritone and considering the price, I decided to go for it and I'm damn glad I did. While it did need a good set-up when received (just as almost ALL new instruments do), it's an amazing instrument and WICKED cool fun!!
In fact, I liked it so much I ordered an "Innuendo 12" as soon as I could find one. Unfortunately, I think Evets has discontinued importing the "Innuendo's" as I don't see anyone advertising them now, which is a bloody shame.
Considering it's build quality, ESPECIALLY for the price point, and taking into account it's fun factor, I gotta give it a Five.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
Basically,what's NOT to like?? IMHO,this guitar is BRILLIANT!! A departure from Evets Company's (owner of the Dano trademark who brought us those horrible little "Qwik-Tune" guitar/bass tuners in the '90's)earlier re-issue's of original vintage '50's Dano's, the "Innuendo" retains a vintage vibe with it's "Reversed Stratish"/Mosrite "Ventures" body style and "Coke-bottle" 3 on-a-side headstock.
However, the three ceramic passive single coils in a "Stratish" configuration with a standard 5-way switch provides a wider usable tonal range than the prior dual"lipstick" models(and contrary to "Guitar Player's" review of the 6 string version,I don't find the 5-way in an "awkward" position; it takes some getting use to, but it isn't in the way).
The real "thrill'a" of this unit is the four white on-off buttons just "north" of the four rotary controls which activate (from top to bottom)#1.A high gain preamp/overdrive circuit with a variable "resonance" control (rotary control#3), #2.A set-rate/set-depth chorus, #3.A set depth/variable speed tremelo (rotary control #4),and #4.A "slap-back" Echo. The other two rotary controls are Master Volume(#1)and Tone(#2).
BE FOREWARNED!!REDUCE VOLUME TO 0 BEFORE ENGAGING THE PREAMP/OVERDRIVE CIRCUIT! This thing has GOBS of gain and inadvertantly turning it on (especially if the "resonance" control is on it's high side)is guaranteed to raise sonic anarchy from Hell immediately. Once tamed, this is way hip- it's basically what you get when you kick in a a "wah" pedal and use it as a "fixed" filter(a'la Jeff Beck). Sweeping the rotary control goes from a low, somewhat muddy wah growl to unbelieveably edgy "ice-pick-in-the-ears" treble boost, with variable TASTY tone spots between.The amount of boost available is incredible and capable of punching an amp's front end hard;GREAT if your using tube amplification (probably dog-doo with solid state).
The chorus(#2)is good although it's speed and depth are both preset (fortunately, it's a good overall setting). I've heard it described as "lumpy" which I couldn't envision- the sweep is smooth and the effect quality is good. I've heard better, I've heard WAY worse. The tremelo (#3),which is also a set depth but IS speed adjustable, can be combined to get some interesting faux "rotating speakerish" sounds. On it's own it's great for Spagetti Western soundtracks, Tommy James wannabees, surfdudes,or anyone wanting that "PULSE".
Finally, the "slap-back" echo is just that- as with the chorus, it's parameters are "set", but it sounds good and by itself conjures up the early "rock-a-billy"/Sun Studio room ambiance.
There are two side mounted 1/4" output jacks; one bypasses the effects, the other "engages" them (be sure and remove your cable when your done playing or it'll eat the battery). Both can be run at the same time, although I haven't tried it yet.
The vintage 6-screw "Stratish" style vibrato/bridge is obviously NOT going to hold tune under EVH-type whammy histrionics, but seems to work well for slow swells and pitch "quivers",which works for me.
I have very few faults with this guitar. With it's 30" scale, the neck length makes it a "long neck goose", which takes some getting used to (suprizingly, it balances fairly well). Also, finding string sets can be problematic (it uses .013-.070 gauge sets). And somewhere down the line, I'd like to install a humbucker in the bridge position for "more nuts", as I'm a S/S/H guy.
I'm betting most guy's into the current de-tuned metal (Korn/Coal Chamber/etc.) WON'T like this guitar as it sits- with the three single coils it wouldn't be thick or heavy enough. However, with a switch of pickups, I think it could grind with the best of 'em (and maybe better). The low end chunk from the 30" scale and .013"-.070" string sets thru a good full size humbucker would be skull crushing!
Manufactured in Korea (which isn't the stigma it used to be- the quality keeps increasing);30" scale/24 fret unbound maple bolt-neck with adjustable truss rod (at the body end, unfortunately),rosewood fretboard,pearl dot position markers,and a "Coke-bottle" 3 on-a-side headstock with chrome Gotoh or Ping diecast machine heads. The fretwork is good without ragged ends protruding from the side of the neck and the machines work fine. The nut is of the black plastic/graphite(?)variety and was cut fairly well.
The solid body is carefully carved/routed out of the finest Korean solid core multiply laminate (i.e. plywood)money can buy (they actually did an amazingly good job of routing it out for the electronics) and the "Red Sunburst" partial transparent finish (it's a solid red around the edges and where the bodies tapered for an armrest to conceal the plywood of the body) is well applied, glossy and attractive with no runs,streaking, or "orange peel" that I could find. The pickguard's a single ply white pearloid (Mutha'of toilet seat-strangely,the trem spring cover and battery cover are non-matching single ply solid white). The pup covers,selector switch tip,whammy tip and knobs are all the standard white plastic "Stratish" copies and the chrome vintage type bridge/vibrato is your basic serviceable import unit. The strap buttons are nice metal ones, not the cheesey plastic ones they used on the vintage reissue models.
The overall build quality is excellent for a guitar at this price point. No burred screw heads,the neck pocket is tight and everything lines up great. The pickups sound o.k. to good, and the quality of the electronics seems to be o.k.(typical dime size import pots,etc.- With four built in effects, there's quite a bit of circuitry under the pickguard on stacked circuit boards). They even inset brass bushings in the body for the battery cover machine screws so they wouldn't strip-out over time. Nice touch!
I've been playing guitar on and off since I was 8 years old,did weekend casuals before I was out of high school,picked up the bass in the '70's, and have done some roadwork.I worked in a music store for 6-7 years in the '90's, doing all the tech and repair work. My personal instrument stash of guitars and basses is now over 24,with a fair amount of high-end units.
I was looking for something unusual when I bought this- a "color" instrument in a manner of speaking. Having never played a baritone and considering the price, I decided to go for it and I'm damn glad I did. While it did need a good set-up when received (just as almost ALL new instruments do), it's an amazing instrument and WICKED cool fun!!
In fact, I liked it so much I ordered an "Innuendo 12" as soon as I could find one. Unfortunately, I think Evets has discontinued importing the "Innuendo's" as I don't see anyone advertising them now, which is a bloody shame.
Considering it's build quality, ESPECIALLY for the price point, and taking into account it's fun factor, I gotta give it a Five.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com