RE: [Harp-L] Danelectro Commander amp



I have a 1958 Dano commando. The cabinet is really not
made for abusive night after night roadwork. Although, I will note
that the opening for the speakers on either side have a gold colored
metal gate over the speaker cloth, a true 'speaker grille', and very
protective. I have used this amp on gigs and in the studio. My own impression
is that it does produce a tone of similar opened back 8" speaker configuration
cabinets most notably the GA-45 Gibson Maestro amp, albeit a little too
distorted for the sound I really like. Personally I prefer
the sound of 10' speakers and more power. That being said, this amp does
produce sounds similar to some of little Walter's recordings on chess where
he used amps. I would never claim that he used this amp. I do have a friend
who played with Grady 'Fats' Jackson in Atlanta until he died. He cleaned out
Grady's cellar after he passed and got one of these commandos in part of the
equitment he found. Grady had personally told him that it was pawned to
him by Waler. Who knows the real truth. If someone is really interested in
having one of these amps, I would part with mine for much less than
$5000.00, contact me offlist.
HB


-----Original Message-----
From: John Balding <John.Balding@xxxxxxxxx>
To: mike wesolowski <mwesolowski@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, Nov 5  8:33 AM
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Danelectro Commander amp

Scroll down. It is the first amp on the page. Not much info, but maybe a
little more than you had before.
http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/vintage_amps.htm

This amp, despite the speaker array, will not produce much bass response
due to the lack of a back on the enclosure(s). The bass response can be
improved a little if set up against, or close to, a wall.
Another thing to bear in mind, although this may be nitpicking, is the
fact that, when closed, the amp has speakers facing both directions. I
like to pack my amps in a vehicle with the speakers facing away from
potential hazards such as drum/cymbal stands and things which may shift
position during transport. If in my own trunk, I usually load it in
facing downward. In a van, I typically load it in against the wall of
the vehicle with the speakers facing the wall. Again, this not the
deciding factor with the amp, especially if you are only recording with
it or using it at home. But if you plan to gig with it, it may be
something to consider.


John Balding Tallahassee, FL

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of mike wesolowski
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 10:26 PM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] Danelectro Commander amp

Saw a Dano Commander on ebay and it's up to almost $1600.00 now and
still has about 8 days to go.  The original buy it now price was almost
$5,000.00.   Some folks claim that this is one of the amps that Little
Walter played through.  I think that myth has been discounted.
According to Louis and Dave Myers and also Jimmy Rogers, who all played
with Little Walter in the 50s, no one can remember what amps he played
through.  I think he played through what ever was available at the time.
I read that anyone who claimed that this is "THE Little Walter Amp"
either doesn't know what he's talking about or is trying to sell you
something.   Does anyone here own one or has anyone played through one?
It seems to be a pretty cool amp, but I can't imagine that it sounded
all that great with those shallow speaker enclosures. Still, I'm curious
about the amp.
Mike "Wezo" Wesolowski
www.bluesworldorder.net
www.myspace.com/harpwezo
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