Reissue retains retro vibe with classic car colors and lipstick pickups.

The Dano Pro Electric Guitar is a first-ever reissue based on the guitar model first released in 1959 and sold through the mid-'60s. Just because this guitar is inexpensive and a tad outr‚ doesn't mean it's not a serious instrument. The Dano Pro guitar features professional-level playability, intonation, and electronics. The Dano Pro is an instrument that will withstand the rigors of the road and continuous stage work in addition to inviting curious glances and knowing nods of approval.

The Dano Pro guitar comes in finishes inspired by classic car colors of the day and have zero gloss, which helps convey the retro vibe. The glossless colors, angular pickguard, lipstick pickups, ridged knobs, and vertical headstock logo all help to create the immediate impression that this is an instrument from another time.

The body is a funky offset rectangle, and features the familiar plastic tape that runs around the edge of the guitar. Originally, this was to hide the seam in the two-piece body construction. Modern Dano's are not made using this clamshell method anymore, but the tape remains, as it is such a distinctive part of the look. The tape is affixed using a self-adhesive, and is aged with a shellac to give it a slightly brown-streaked or discolored look which adds to the vintage vibe. The pressed-particle pickguard is covered in the same material and cut precisely to fit.

The Alnico pickups are the lipstick variety, and have the same design as the ones that appeared in the '50s, when actual lipstick tubes (purchased from cosmetics makers) were used to house the electronics. One modern improvement is the bridge, which, on the reissue, is capable of being intonated.

Also an improvement over the original is the tuners, which are die cast and hold the tuning well. The nut is made of aluminum and contributes to the twanginess and uniqueness of tone that the Dano's were known for. In addition to sitting in a nut slot, the nut itself is screwed into the top edge of the fingerboard.

The playability is one of the most impressive aspects of this guitar— the action is low enough for velocity playing, yet was buzz-free on every fret. The neck is not speed-demon shallow, but its depth adds to the sustain, tone, and general feeling of substance.

The Dano Pro's pickups are bright and sparkly, but not shrill. The manufacturer reports that the 2007 reissue features a warmer wind on the pickups, which increases the output and provides a less high-endy tone. The jangly pickups and aluminum nut work well when playing open-position chords and single lines. Very versatile is the neck pickup—mellow and strong but not dull, perhaps due to the extra windings and its placement midway down the string length. The three-position switch and volume and tone knobs are rugged and stand up well to aggressive swiping and twisting.

Aside from being a definite conversation starter, the Dano Pro is a quality, low-priced instrument. It would be great as a second guitar, set up for a particularly twangy sound (owing to the pickup quality and the aluminum nut, which sounds particularly good when using open-string chords), or for slide. Or it would be good for a rhythm-playing front person, especially if your band plays retro or neo, jangle, pop, or surf music.

Danelectro Dano Pro Electric Guitar Features:

• Body: Offset rectangle masonite/plywood
• Top Wood: Masonite
• Scale: 25"
• Neck Joint: Bolt-on
• Neck Wood: Maple with double acting truss rod
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Neck Shape: C
• Frets: 21
• Nut: 1.65"
• Fretboard Radius: 14"
• Bridge: 6 saddle adjustable
• Pickup Bridge: Lipstick, single coil
• Pickup Neck: Lipstick, single coil
• Controls: Master volume, master tone
• Tuners: 3 on a side, sealed
• Harware: Nickel
• Pickup selector: 3-way toggle
• Finish: Matte
• Upgraded pickups, hardware and finish.

Go, cat, go! Order today.

Danelectro Dano Pro Electric Guitar

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Average of 16 User Ratings

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A gorgeous guitar

Posted by martialstax from Seattle WA on Jun 1, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Country, Alternative

I love my Danelectro. It has a wonderful tone, bright with a bit of twang. It's comfortable to play which is a bonus, since it means I practice more. One of the more interesting things is the way the pickups are wired in series rather than parallel. It means the guitar is louder if you use both pickups rather than just one. The tape around the body is coming away on the bottom which I'll have to take care of. Other than that, it's a tremendous value for money and a great guitar for a beginner like myself.

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Great Value...

Posted by Bob M from Franklin, MA on Apr 17, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Country

The only 2 complaints-the "binding" tape is poorly applied and the neck/body joint at the 14th fret. I knew about the neck/body joint, but was still unprepared for the fact that you CANNOT play past fret 12. The binding needs a little glue.

Now the good stuff-this guitar has a unique sound. A ton of presence and personality. Came set-up nicely right out of the box. Great for slide, chicken pickin, blues, etc. Other comments on the quality of the pots and switches are noted. They are cheap and need to be replaced, especially if you were to gig with this guitar.

Overall, quite acceptable...

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Get Em Before they Disappear

Posted by Teleguy from NYC on Apr 14, 2008

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Blues Rock

This is an Amazing Guitar. It replicates the Mojo of a 40 year old guitar. Plays like butter and it gives that Funky retro look to boot. What a value! These will be collectable soon so get em while they still have a few. Great guitar!

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Skanktastic

Posted by tay0 from Atlanta on Apr 3, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Gigging musician

Reviewer's Play Style: rock, alt-country, experimental

I get more comments at gigs with this critter - the tone is amazing, it looks like it came out of Tiesco Del Ray's toybox, and the limited fretboard access actually makes my playing more creative by forcing me out of my old patterns and ruts. It's replaced my Tele as my main gigging guitar. This would be a no-brainer purchase at twice the price.

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Danelectro Pro

Posted by Dano Fan from Northern California on Mar 22, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock

I've been a Danelectro fan for some time now. I have a baritone and when the Pro's came out I knew I needed to add one to the family.

I purchased one in Peach. It wasn't my first choice but I really dig it. The guitar arrived well packaged with no damage. My first impression was that I purchased a really cool guitar. It's well made, good hardware and a very comfortable shape. But, how did it play and sound.

Out of the box the action was a little high. No big deal and an easy fix. Tuned it up and plugged into my Vox amp. The sound was that of a vintage vibe. Clean, sweet and tons of tone. The bridge and neck together sounded the best and really had a very cool vibe.

For the price you're not going to find a better deal. Ton's of tone for a very small price. The overall fit and finish is great.

If this was stolen or lost I'd replace it without queston.

Do yourself a favor and get one before they sell out.

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Danelectro Dano Pro Electric Guitar

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