I've known about Danelectro since at least the mid 90's when they had the first run of reissues----but I never bought one for some reason, until now.
They reissued the 1959 DC model in all original specs, so I picked one up in the "copper" finish for $350 (free shipping brand new). They are a limited edition model just for this year (with only a few hundred produced). They have reissued the DC model before, but not in completely original specs yet.
I gotta say---I am floored by the quality in build, feel, and sound. They are probably the best value-for-money guitar in the market. It played with near perfect action and tune right out of the box. Twin lipstick pickups have that unmistakable (and unique!) tone. Stacked volume/tone knobs are cool, and it just plays itself.
Really---i'm not a huge fan of cheap guitars. I'd rather have one really good guitar than 10 cheap ones, because the cheap ones usually need modding and work done to them, and they are usually copies of more expensive models. The Danos seem different. I think they are actually better than the originals, and because masonite and plastic don't really age the same way that old wood does, the vintage examples don't really have an "edge" on a fresh new one.
Here's some pics:
I HIGHLY suggest picking one up. They are astonishingly good guitars for the money. Nat Daniel, who founded Danelectro guitars, stated that his proudest achievement was to be "able to make instruments a beginner could afford that were of a quality that wouldn't discourage them from progressing on the instrument," which still holds true with the reissues today. It plays well enough that any beginning guitarist would find themselves attracted to playing, not discouraged by the horrible setups and cheap builds that many "budget" guitars have these days (Epiphone and Squier included...).
I think I'll even gig with it----i'd rather take a $350 Dano out than a $3500 Ric!
