Todd Rundgren Auctions Rare Danelectro Longhorn Bass Used on “A Wizard, a True Star”
Music legend Todd Rundgren and his Spirit of Harmony Foundation have launched an auction this spring to raise money for the group’s Music Education Advocacy efforts. The online-only auction features rare items donated by Rundgren and his fans from around the world, including a special Danelectro Longhorn bass guitar.
The vintage four-string was used by the artist on his 1973 album A Wizard, a True Star. Rundgren played many of the instruments on the album, but bassist John Siegler confirms that he used it on the track “Is It My Name.”
The bass comes from the late ’60s, and this one has another interesting aspect.
“Jesse Gress researched and determined that this very rare bass was American-made specifically for distribution in the Netherlands, which is why “Longhorn” appears on the headstock, not the normal ‘Danelectro,'” the auction listing explains. “The bass has been mechanically professionally restored to playability with all the original parts, other than the white round knobs, which were replaced with Denelectro’s teardrop-shaped knobs.”
Rundgren signed the bass as well as a certificate of authenticity. The Spirit of Harmony Spring 2026 auction will end on May 2nd. The bass has a starting bid of $2,500. For more info, visit the auction website.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
