Post by Tony Ravenscroft on Aug 18, 2018 10:02:48 GMT -6
{{NOTE: If you found this page via a search engine, & just want some quick info about the brand, you'll be happiest if you scroll to the bottom & read a post headed TO RECAP which will sum it up. If you want more info, then start here again -- & if you like what you read, please join the conversation!! 
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Though I’d likely encountered it before, it wasn’t until mid-2013 that I took notice of Aslin Dane guitars. Eventually, I found that their parent company had been defunct for five years at that point, though certainly not from lack of ambition. A few years back, I spent some spare time trying to track down the owner(s) to find out what happened and whether the brand might return.
First, what the brand accomplished in its short life.
The Aslin Dane brand was applied to a handful of electric guitars and that varied from good to excellent. I’ve had credible reports that one model (the Teaza) has been spotted in versions from Korea and China alike, as well as hand-made at their New York shop; I have not personally spotted any USA instrument, even online. The brand never made it far from New York.
Of the 26 known models, two were unremarkable clones of Strat and Tele (MSRP $199), and an upgraded version of the latter was $299. Aside from those, prices ranged from $389 to $629. In 2013, a few Aslin Dane were scattered around online, and they still appear from time to time, generally at reasonable price.
Before anyone asks: I have yet to see anything from this brand with a serial number, let alone model name.
One factor that sets the brand apart is that many (most?) of the $400+ models had a phenolic fingerboard, likely Ebonol. Others used something called ”diamondwood,” which also seems to be a fancy laminate. The phenolic can generally be spotted by the dark and uniformly colored fretboard. I’ve seen it on a couple of Strat clones, an MM copy, and a jazzbox.
I’ve only seen two tiny practice amps with the logo, but Blue Book says otherwise:
According to trademark filings, the official first use of “Aslin Dane” was December 1, 1997. (That’s rather typical for how trademark registrations work.)
I found their old MySpace page, and copied some of the text before it disappeared forever; the odd English is from the original:
Their Bohemian, a copy of Brian May’s distinctive “Red Special” guitar, gained attention from the media (like Guitar Player) and from Queen fans.
A Guitar Center had an Aslin Dane bass for sale. They called it a “J bass,” thus again demonstrating that people who sell guitars don’t necessarily know the first thing about guitars.
The body slabs appeared to be bookmatched.
Another shop had an LP clone, of which I've seen maybe one other. It has ”Duncan Designed” pickups, the fretboard certainly looks phenolic, and the neck heel is interesting.
}}Though I’d likely encountered it before, it wasn’t until mid-2013 that I took notice of Aslin Dane guitars. Eventually, I found that their parent company had been defunct for five years at that point, though certainly not from lack of ambition. A few years back, I spent some spare time trying to track down the owner(s) to find out what happened and whether the brand might return.
First, what the brand accomplished in its short life.
The Aslin Dane brand was applied to a handful of electric guitars and that varied from good to excellent. I’ve had credible reports that one model (the Teaza) has been spotted in versions from Korea and China alike, as well as hand-made at their New York shop; I have not personally spotted any USA instrument, even online. The brand never made it far from New York.
Of the 26 known models, two were unremarkable clones of Strat and Tele (MSRP $199), and an upgraded version of the latter was $299. Aside from those, prices ranged from $389 to $629. In 2013, a few Aslin Dane were scattered around online, and they still appear from time to time, generally at reasonable price.
Before anyone asks: I have yet to see anything from this brand with a serial number, let alone model name.
One factor that sets the brand apart is that many (most?) of the $400+ models had a phenolic fingerboard, likely Ebonol. Others used something called ”diamondwood,” which also seems to be a fancy laminate. The phenolic can generally be spotted by the dark and uniformly colored fretboard. I’ve seen it on a couple of Strat clones, an MM copy, and a jazzbox.
I’ve only seen two tiny practice amps with the logo, but Blue Book says otherwise:
Aslin Dane produces amplifiers that have the looks of classic botique designs with great sound as well as high performance. They produce electric, acoustic, and bass amplifiers. The electric models are covered in rain forest tolex green. MSR prices range between $99 and $249.
According to trademark filings, the official first use of “Aslin Dane” was December 1, 1997. (That’s rather typical for how trademark registrations work.)
I found their old MySpace page, and copied some of the text before it disappeared forever; the odd English is from the original:
Since 1998, Aslin Dane Guitars and Basses have been distributed worldwide in USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Korea and Denmark.
In 1998; based in New York; David Burns Musical Instruments Inc. was formed to build high end USA Custom Shop Catalyst brand Ceramic Graphite guitars and basses for worldwide distribution.
Soon after, a more affordable line, Aslin Dane, began production. These were also Custom Hand-Made/Finished Electric Guitars and Basses. One of a kind and collectible, used by many recording/touring artists in the NY metro area, USA, and Europe.
Aslin Dane Production was later expanded to a limited Korean production using the same USA Maple and Tonewoods for body construction, still are hand crafted and painted in Korea then shipped to their Long Island shop for final assembly, fretwork and custom setup. Each one hand adjusted before delivery. Maintaining the same high quality and now affordable by everyone.
Most of the original Aslin Dane Guitars and Basses listed from $399.95- $795.99; with a special Vernon Reid designed Midi model at $1399.99. This was equipped with a Roland GK2A Hexaphonic pickup and preamp for synth.control!
In 1998; based in New York; David Burns Musical Instruments Inc. was formed to build high end USA Custom Shop Catalyst brand Ceramic Graphite guitars and basses for worldwide distribution.
Soon after, a more affordable line, Aslin Dane, began production. These were also Custom Hand-Made/Finished Electric Guitars and Basses. One of a kind and collectible, used by many recording/touring artists in the NY metro area, USA, and Europe.
Aslin Dane Production was later expanded to a limited Korean production using the same USA Maple and Tonewoods for body construction, still are hand crafted and painted in Korea then shipped to their Long Island shop for final assembly, fretwork and custom setup. Each one hand adjusted before delivery. Maintaining the same high quality and now affordable by everyone.
Most of the original Aslin Dane Guitars and Basses listed from $399.95- $795.99; with a special Vernon Reid designed Midi model at $1399.99. This was equipped with a Roland GK2A Hexaphonic pickup and preamp for synth.control!
Aslin Dane Guitars were introduced in the late 1990s, and quickly became popular with professional musicians in the NYC and LI areas.
Aslin Dane guitars and basses are very well made, and have many of the features found on expensive custom-made instruments, for less than half the price, making them perfect for both the beginning player and the working professional musician.
All Aslin Dane instruments are made to be played; they use high quality wood and hardware to ensure that each instrument sounds and plays great, for as long as you own it.
Aslin Dane guitars and basses are very well made, and have many of the features found on expensive custom-made instruments, for less than half the price, making them perfect for both the beginning player and the working professional musician.
All Aslin Dane instruments are made to be played; they use high quality wood and hardware to ensure that each instrument sounds and plays great, for as long as you own it.
Their Bohemian, a copy of Brian May’s distinctive “Red Special” guitar, gained attention from the media (like Guitar Player) and from Queen fans.
A Guitar Center had an Aslin Dane bass for sale. They called it a “J bass,” thus again demonstrating that people who sell guitars don’t necessarily know the first thing about guitars.
The body slabs appeared to be bookmatched. Another shop had an LP clone, of which I've seen maybe one other. It has ”Duncan Designed” pickups, the fretboard certainly looks phenolic, and the neck heel is interesting.
Aslin Dane guitars were coming in from a Red China factory (Chang Yi Muse Musical Instrument) via importer "Gtr Designs Co., Ltd.". Dig further & you'll find that Chang Yi Muse supplies "KMC Music, a division of JAM"; among other brands, KMC imports Daisy Rock & Hamer guitars from Red China.
so until an example appears I have to declare this most-recent resurrection "a noble but failed experiment."
(Good news, though: information on Aslin Dane is so sparse that this forum shows up about #10 on most search engines. 
)
