The Delta Snake Review: Musical Gear Review & Article Archive: Review: Danelectro Pro Blue Metallic

Danelectro Pro Blue Metallic: Going back to the source

Several years ago, one of the most exciting events in the guitar industry was the revival of the Danelectro brand. The originals, which were made under that name, or Silvertone, etc, began to command prices more in line with Fender strats than an old budget guitar. In fact, one of my first electrics was a 60s Danelectro Bell body 12 string that I converted to a six that I bought used for 40 dollars.

The key feature of the Danelectro was the now famous "lipstick" pickup, which used lipstick covers. It gave the guitar a distinctive twang and chime that any other configuration hasn't really duplicated.

It was also cheap and affordable, with masonite plywood bodies, barely competent tuners, and some of the flimsiest bridges ever designed. It was a famous guitar, and stars like Link Wray used one (the famous Longhorn type), but as guitars became better and the low end flooded with Japanese imports, its popularity began to fade.

Just as Leadbelly is known as the artist who saved the 12 string from oblivion (Pete Seegar also), Jimmy Page was probably the artist most responsible for keeping the Danelectro a cool guitar when he used it in his famous "White Summer" electric modal fingerpicking piece (itself taken from a Bert Jansch arrangement, but that's another story).

The model Page used remained a popular collector's item into the 80s and 90s until new owners revived the Danelectro brand. The company introduced several old classic models, including new ones like the Mod 6 as the top-of-the-line (now a bargain and underrated guitar if you can find one).

It was a real success story, and the company continued to revive other famous icons like the Longhorn style, but some undercurrents eventually undermined that boom.

One, it was a cult guitar, and the initial runs were bought mainly by fans and those who loved the image. The construction quality was far below that of an early 90s Fender Squire, and its trademark lipstick pickup was not nearly as good as the original. It sparked an aftermarket industry for lipstick pickups to replace the stock ones.

Other companies weren't just sitting there watching Danelectro sell a lot of cheap guitars; they came out with their own competing retro models and others that also used lipsticks. Eventually, the market got saturated.

It reached the point where stores were selling off the Danelectros at cost, and the used value was as low as 150.00 or lower on Craigslist (at least a couple at that price I'm still kicking myself for not buying).

A few years ago, the company changed owners again, and not only did they change how new guitars were released and marketed, but they finally improved the hardware and pickups. Danelectro now generally releases only one or two models at a time, and this one, the Pro, was released around 2007 or so.

The Pro is a special model, an updated replica of the first guitar the company manufactured. The original had only one pickup that was set right in the middle. The updated one has a standard bridge and neck set but some differences. The front pickup is set back away from the neck in response to some complaints that it sounded muddy in the traditional position. No one buys a Danelectro to play jazz or smooth sounds, so putting it back where the lipstick gains a bit of edge and clarity makes sense.

The body is still made of masonite plywood and sort of hollow, which gives the guitar that famous resonance (which is fine; there is such a thing as tradition), but there have been some welcome changes. The tuning pegs are upgraded and stay in tune, and I found changing the strings a much quicker task with this model. The tinny metal bridge has been replaced with a more solid six-piece type, where the height and intonation can be adjusted individually. The body no longer uses that cheap tape to bind the edges (which used to peel off easily), and it's been artificially aged to look vintage.

One excellent upgrade is the double-trussed neck. Nice and solid, well shaped, and the fretboard has a consistent feel instead of the cheap plank-like feel of the older reissue. The Danelectro Pro neck isn't for everyone. A few of its frets are deep into the body and not accessible for those who like to use the whole neck. By the same token, it does create a short-scale neck feel that many, particularly those used to Gibson's necks, will find comfortable.

The most essential upgrade has been with the lipstick pickups. The manufacturer used a warmer wire winding and wiring the pickups in series instead of the more common parallel configuration. In plain English, it means a richer, louder sound and more bite at high volume. It's the lipstick that the original reissue should have come with.

The squarish body shape and lightness make it an effortless guitar to hold and play, and the masonite body has a resonance that makes it a pleasure to strum even without the amp. The distinctive chime is a product of the guitar, not any amp or effects pedal.

The Danelectro Pro comes in several bright, solid "automobile" colors, which met with approval from this old Fender fan who feels that most sunburst finishes are a sign of degradation of true American values. I chose the blue model, though the cherry red lost out only because it wasn't set up as well as the blue.

The newer, hotter Danelectro Pro doesn't disappoint in terms of sound. Its clean tone is much shimmer and clearer than the earlier reissue models, which could sound flat depending on the amp. This one was tested on five different amps, including some I wouldn't give to my worst enemy (those shall remain unnamed), and that great open-throated trebly ring came out each time. At high distortion, it did great 50s-style blues, surf, punk, and, of course, 60s rock.

I already have a 1971 Gibson L-6 and Fender Telecaster, so as a rule, I don't buy very many vintage cheapo guitars. The L-6 can easily duplicate most vintage cheapo sounds, and my Tele has plenty of chime already if I need it.

I got this Danelectro because my tastes include a guitar with lipstick pickups. I've tried a few, even some of the Danelectro reissue line, but never really felt any could match my old Bell body 12. The lipstick-equipped guitar has clarity that is unique to its type, and its sound at a high gain is one of the true pleasures in life.

This new Danelectro Pro makes me glad I kept looking.

-Al Handa (2013)

Note: This review first appeared on the ePinions.com site in 2013. This and other reviews were short takes that accompanied the link to a business that sold the guitar. As a rule, the guitar had to be at least examined and played by the reviewer (and ideally owned). In my case, a severe case of GAS made it possible to have at least owned the reviewed instrument for a short while. I'm reprinting these as having another source on a guitar never hurts, even if the reviews aren't definitive. Other than minor corrections, these short takes are unchanged from the original text. I figure that it might be helpful to keep the older perspective.

The Quitturz by Al Handa