Danelectro Nifty-Fifty

Just a basic 15 watt, solid state practise amp. 1 channel, volume, gain and 3-band EQ. That's okay by me, I love simplicity.

Amp is nice because you can turn up the distortion for punk and rock, and down for playing blues or jazz. You dont need an extra distroter if youve got this amp. Also for loud for its size.

Had it for over a year now and Great so far.

Never dealt with the company. Year warranty. Pretty cool website .

This is a great find---I did not mention the cosmetics yet--it is very 50's two-tone vinyl with cool grillcloth. And an insanely low price.

Plus it really sounds good! Hats off to Dano for a highly portable
amp that gives actual "musical" tones that I can use immediately.

I was so impredded with its volume that I install and output jack to push 2 12 inch cab . and it worked fine . but it was a tempoary fix at the time , But it worked.

Solid state emulation of a fifties tube sound.

From other reviews, it sounds great. Mine is not working...yet.

From reading other reviews, this amp tends to break quickly. After taking apart a Nifty Fifty that I found *tossed* on the side of the road, I found what may be a common source of trouble. Apparently the jack is made of plastic, so the holding nut strips easily. When this happens, you need to push in harder and harder with the guitar cord each time you plug in. In the case of my particular unit, this had caused no less than three of the welded-in potentiometers to completely snap off. To the previous owner, a complete mystery -- no doubt. Now I am trying to find replacement jacks and pots, but this is proving difficult. Any advice, circuit diagrams, etc, would be helpful. Thanks.

Currently attempting repair on trashed amp.

It looks great. I can't wait to hear it...

bass, treble, mid, dirtysweet or something (i haven't used it in awhile, got a peavey 412, ultimate tweed!)

Kind of dry. I don't think I really ever got that great of a sound out of it on either my Squier or LP Studio. I think I paid $99 for it. If it was $50 I probably wouldn't mind. If I had to do it again I'd get a Kustom tube amp 12w ($70). It even has a Celestian speaker and a tube preamp.

I actually gigged with it once (almost), I ended up using a friends Fender that was about the same wattage. But then I was young, naieve, and playing Weezer (which doesn't necessarily demand that warm a sound).

Never contacted them.

Playing about 6 years on and off (more on now).

www.mp3.com/keane_li

I wouldn't buy it again if it was lost/stolen. Again, I'd get a tube amp.

I used a Danelectro Daddy-O pedal with it for awhile. It didn't really help that much. I spent so much time turning knobs to no avail. My peavey classic sounds good on anything and I spend more time playing (and sounding great!)

Very sturdy amp though, no tubes to break or change (good), but no tubes (bad) No reverb

I don't know how it compares to others in it's category, probably good because I heard it got a guitar something award when I bought it.

Yes, I'd like to share this: www.keane.zoson.net

Small practice amp with 8 inch speaker, dirty/sweet, level(volume), bass, middle, and treble knobs. You can dial in the amount of fuzz you want with the dirty/sweet knob. Attractive plaid speaker grill cover. It has the tan and dark brown fake leather covering on it. I have it sitting in my living room, and seems to blend right in. Even has a handy headphone jack for late night jam sessions, although the sound isn't nearly as good.

For it's size, it's surprisingly loud. With a little help from the suggested settings in the manual, you can dial in a lot of different tones. Definately not an amp for you shredders out there. This amp is aimed at blues and hard rock players. I bet running a harp through this baby would sound pretty good also. I'll probably use it just for home practice and for recording purposes, although I wouldn't exclude playing a gig with it entirely. I run a Danelectro 59DC w/lipstick tube pickups, in to it. This guitar/amp combination is perfect match for each other, as I'm sure Danelectro intended it that way. I can get some nice trashy blues tones from it. Really good clean tones as well. I can get a big jangley sound out of my Musicvox electric 12-string. The sounds suit me just fine. I don't seem to get the noise other reviewers were talking about(Knock on wood).

I bought this used, so I'm probaly on my own if craps out. It seems to be working fine right now. Time will tell I guess.

I've dealt with Danelectro's service department before with good results.

I've been playing for about 25 years. If this were lost or stolen, I would definately look for another. I don't think Danelectro makes these anymore. For $50.00 bucks I thought what the hell. I'm very pleased with this. Come on, they're cheap fun little practice amps. What do you want for this kinda money.

I bought one in 2000 for use as a bedroom practice amp. I play mostly surf, and classic rock, some blues. It covered those styles OK, for a practice amp, but only where a clean sound was called for. Forget overdriven sounds on this amp. Very basic solid state amp with a very cool retro look, which I've decided was its best feature.

Used it with a Dano guitar at first. Got a great surfy Dano tone with that combination, but that's about it. Later got a Reverend Rocco, and was able to coax some fatter blues tones out of it as well. It was my first amp so I was really stoked on it for a while, but after playing through some slightly higher end solid state amps, it began to suffer by comparison, but still OK for what it was. Then there is the "Dirty" setting:( I think it is misleading to use the term "distortion" or "overdriven" to discribe any sound this amp makes. Fuzz? Maybe. I tried to get something resembling distortion out of this box. Forget it! Not sure how to describe it, but the word "static" keeps coming to mind. In any case, the Dirty setting is not in anyway useful or musical.

Well, here is the real problem. After about a year of fairly light occasional use, the amp quit working. I tried to troubleshoot it myself but could not find the problem. For what the amp cost me
I decided it wasn't worth the time and money to take it to a shop, so I tossed it.

I've had good dealings with them in the past when a guitar pickup wasn't working properly. Quick response. In the case of the amp, the waranty had expired, so I didn't bother.

OK, let's face it. This is a $60-$70 solid-state amp. Bet you could even find one for $50 now. Putting aside for a moment its ultimate and complete failure, I was fairly satisfied with this amp and its sound. What's more, it really is very cool looking. My wife loved the look and even made a special place for it in the living room. I wish Marshall would put one of their little practice amps in such a tasteful box. I've been eyeing the MG15DFX. Tried one out the other, and whoa! For $80 more, the thing has impressive clean and distorted sound and built in effects. But I'll probably have to hide it under the bed.

Anyway, If the Dano were still working, I might recommend it to someone who likes the look and wants a cheap practice amp for clean sounds only. What the hell, if you have $50 to blow and you like the look, and the sound, go get one. Maybe you'll get lucky. On the other hand, if you value your $50 I recommend saving up a little more and getting something more reliable and versatile.

Just a basic 15 watt, solid state practise amp. 1 channel, volume, gain and 3-band EQ. That's okay by me, I love simplicity.

As an added bonus, the thing just looks damn cool. Really damn cool. You could probably justify the purchase price even if you used it as a piece of decorative furniture.

So, a 7 for basic features with nothing you don't need plus a bonus point for the cool factor and attention to visual design.

It sounds the way it looks.
What do I mean by that?

It looks like a vintage tube amp, but not really. You can tell that the leather's fake, that it's too small to be packing tubes, that it isn't showing the tell-tale wear and tear. But that's okay because that's the appeal.

Similarly, it doesn't really sound exactly like a tube amp. But the sound reminds you of the vintage tones and that's the appeal. You can't get a Fender sound out of it but you can get a Fender-ish sound that is good BECAUSE it's not dead on. It's that kitschy aesthetic that really appeals to me. It's not a modelling amp, but it's better then a modelling amp because it hgets you into the ballpark and then gets you to do all the work. You can actually crafyt a unique tone out of this thing.

A few points about the sound:
- Don't go nuts with the dirty-sweet knob. This thing can't do modern high-gain stuff. Thing vintage, light distortion with maybe a bit of fuzz and it'll sound good. Don't try hjardcore metal and punk stuff.
- The hiss that everyone talks about. You won't notice it when your playing. In a noisy bar or jam situation you'll find it very easy to ignore. It's not a huge problem, but if it really bothers you that much, don't get this amp.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with the sounds in the manual. The funk sound is also good for jazz and blues. The Aussie Rock (thing Angels, Rose Tattoo, AC/DC) is good for Ozzy-era sabbath.
- This thing rocks with a slide.
- I've had people ask me if the thing contained tubes. Consider that a vote of approval.

Had no problems so far.

The warranty doesn't apply to Aussies like me. But they did answer my e-mail in 24 hours, so I'll give them a 7

This amp isn't for everyone. Beginners who want to sound like Slipknot or Blink 182 should avoid this like the plague. But who should get this amp?
- Blues fans.
- Middle age guys who want to recreate the sounds of their youth.
- People who care about visual design.
- Recording artists who wnat an interesting tone (check the inside cover of Beck's Midnite Vultures).
- Beginners who hat the sound of the amp that came in their bundle-package.

Overall it's a great sounding, reliable amp. It won't last you forever but I bet that you'll be coming back to it even after you upgrade. It fills a niche, but it's not perfect for everyone. For the price, a damn respectable 8.

Basic amp -Volume, tone controls,knob for "dirty" distorted sound...that's all folks.Just a practice amp by most standard. Traded an old tube amp for this,my amp needed lots of work this was new and sounded pretty good for solid state(I play harp)though it is written that it is a motal sin to play harp through anything but tubes .Don't wish for any features why muck up a basic amp with some cheap sounding reverb. The 15watts goes a long way IT IS LOUD! Play it at small jams and have played it on stage but it needs to be mic'd.

It hisses it pops occasionally but all is forgiven because this lil amp has a hell of a screamin/cuttin/ raunchy sound.I also play some jazz and R&B with my band so I keep the tone controls about the same and just cut the dirty knob and I'm able to keep it cleaner.I am amazed how I get tone out of this thing. Dave Barrett a harp guru recommended this amp, I know why.

Like I said it makes noises but it has held together for two years of weekly playing(jams,gigs,practice).I always take a backup but that's with all amps I don't trust any of them I've learned from experience to trust the unexpected.

Never had to deal with Danelectro.

Been playing since the 70's been playing professionally since 95. Own a Fender Bassman RI,Vibroverb RI (set up for harp).Use an Ibenez delay with all my amps. Mics used are sm58 and a crystal ball, both work well with the Dano I use the crystal ball more often.I'm trying to buy another at the moment --for some reason they are tough to find on the net.I love the sound and some versitility for such a small amp.I also love not having to carry 50to60 pounds of unwieldy amp up and down stairs

Ok, I have never posted anything on internet. This is my first and last review for anything. So here it goes.
This lil amp is the best sounding practice amp ever built. The Dirty sweep has so much range, and clean sound will get the job done. I play my 71 LP standard and my Dearmond Goldtone through this lil gem. I have a DanElectro corned beef reverb stump box that I use with this amp only, they match perfectly. I have a Marshall, Mesa, and vintage club 2*12 all three amps are tube. So I am not just typing this thing up. My unit has no noize problems and it has been with me for a lil over two years with no problems. This is the best amp I have ever bought for the price. The amp is not for giging, but it is the best amp you can buy to carry around to friends house. 15 pounds and 15 watts of vintage sound through a soild-state amp and the amp has style. I wish they made a one with a 12" Speaker to get more bottom end. I give this amp a 10 for the price, sound, and reliability. Fantastic Valuve.

Nice overdrive/distortion. 3 tone controls. Retro-design. Solid construction. The power cord that originally came would not, "seat," properly, resulting in intermittent operation. I replaced with another I had on hand, and no problem whatsover from that point forward. I would bet this design flaw in the original power cord is responsible for so many of the problems that people have had. It is an easy fix for an otherwise stellar little amp.

This thing kicked the hell out of its competition in this wattage and price range. I can actually get an old tube sound out of it. Here's a tip that should not be ignored: USE A PRE-AMP WITH THIS AMP! It gets it over the solid state hiss and turns this little gem into a cranking, fire-breathing little monster. I use a multi-effects pedal with plenty of pre-amp zap.

With the power cord replacement, this thing has been reliability incarnate. I have gigged with it.

Excellent. You have to get the DanElectro number that a retailer would use to call them up, as the number that came with the paperwork was a bust. I have to give DanElectro a 10+.

Been playing since '62, which means, been around the block more than a few times. Last time I gigged out with this little cranker, more than one person came up to me and said they could not believe all the sound coming out of that small amp. I use a multi-effects pedal for reverb and other things, so the lack of reverb is a feature I actually prefer. Why? Well, it means, dirt simply, that DanElectro can and did put that money into a straight ahead little amp that renders its competition as paltry. I have another larger Fender amp. Whenever possible though, this is the one I prefer to use, because it sounds so good and is so easy to carry. Which means, as a professional, I have been well served by this amp.

I Got this little pig in December of 2000....lasted 2 weeks beyond the warranty lapsing and I'm out a practice amp. Features were what I'd expect for a $75 amp....basic + a feedback circuit (I really think that is what killed the amp chip).

Sounded fine when operable...."Dirty" was a little too dirty sounding for my taste, but ok.

Reliable until I left it on for 8 hours straight.....burned out the amp. Anyone out there have any details on what is a chronic problem with these amps? I know other people were having the same problems....just wonder if anyone knows the fix.

Took a few e-mails to get a minimal response....I think Danelectro is a front office for the Chinese junk they're importing. Do they even repair their stuff or do they just send out a replacement and dump your old one?

I've had Crates and others that are built to take a nuke......this disappointed me after it belly-upped.