Danelectro Nifty-Fifty

I bought this amp in Feb. 1999.
I find the amp to be very versatile but I usually use it on its clean setting with a Boss Acoustic pedal, Tube Screamer, an old MXR phaser, Danecho pedal and a Morley Vol/Wah.
I like to play Blues a la Stevie Ray, Beatles n' Stones etc.
There is one channel and a headphone jack.
I wish that it had an external speaker jack more than anything. The 6 inch speaker has a surprising capacity but it doesn't inspire much confidence. My wah tends to cause it to sputter. I emailed Dano but they had no recommendations for a replacement speaker. (I guess that they just didn't care that day.)

I'm using an Aria Pro strat copy with it.
The amp does kick out the notes!
A friend of mine actually plugged her old Yamaha Baby Grand into it and it handled the bass notes quite well. (I thought that I'd have to collect the speaker with a coffee filter, but I was pleasantly surprised.)
The amp is relatively quiet.
I've packed the amp off to a number of jams up against Marshalls and Fenders and still cut through the mix. Although I'm timid about the speaker, I use the amp fearlessly.
I'm sure that, an alternative rocker could use this amp's distortion sound with no effects at all. I like a little control.
I wish that my Wah didn't make it "spank"... (I just stopped using the Wah)

I've got an amused respect for this amp. I expect it to crash and burn but it doesn't.
I'll probably end up replacing the speaker and eventually I'll look into get an extension speaker wired up.
Right now I'm not gigging as a guitarist so using it without a backup is not an issue. If I miked the amp I'd probably use it without worry.
The headphone jack has lost its nut ring and I'll have to go inside and fish it out...(Piddly pain...)

I've emailed the company a couple of times and received answers within a couple of days.
The amp has never broken so I've not needed service.
The manual says that I've got to ship it back if I do need service.

I've been playing about 20 years. I have a Yorkville 400B bass rig and an Ibanez Soundgear 5 string bass. If Dano came out with a bigger amp or something like a "twin" configuration I'd look at it VERY seriously. I get such a kick out of the 50.
I just find the amp managable and simple enough for me to have a degree of understanding with.

My new Danelectro nifty fifty amp is great for Christmas music, but thats about it. Its psuedo-tube sound can't produce any punch. After I had my amp a cople of months the real problem appeared, my amp was defective and two tone knobs became "disconnected" from the circut board. Now I am am difficulty getting it fixed or talking to real person at danelectro.

This amp just does not suit my style, someone else might like it though. I play a strat standard and Nifty Fifty just is not very mean sounding, but the clean channel is nice.

0 My new amp broke after no neglect what so ever

I am having problems talking to a real person at danelectro.

This is a relatively new solid state practice amp. It's versatility is relative to it's operator. I use a lot of feedback and distortion mixed with clean tones and dynamics in a 60's acid rock format and the amp was sufficient for my needs. For what the amp is I feel the control layout is adequate. The amp is quite powerful for it's size and cost

I used it with a Fender Strat and a Gibson SG. Noise wasn't a problem with my particular unit. There's loads of distortion with the "Dirty Sweet" knob. The player's ear alone determines how well this is applied. The amp recorded quite well.

Reliability sucked Bigtime. My amp completely quit after a few weeks. I'll have it repaiered correctly with quality components and keep it or trade for a brand with a better track record.LET THE BUYER BEWARE. If you have access to competent techs it's one thing, but if you are just starting out, buy something else.

The dealer didn't give me a J card with the amp and was somewhat reluctant to do more than refer me to Dano customer service. Fortunately, I have an excellent amp tech named Rob Hull, in Memphis at Martin Music, who will get the thing back online for me.

I have been playing 27 years. I would not buy another Danelectro amp, period. As I said, I can salvage this mess. Many would not have my resources and find themselves in a very frustrating situation.

Only real advantage with this "amp" is its weight and vinyl-retro-look. 15W solid state, single 6" speaker; weighs about five pounds.

Folks, this is a cheap practice amp. I can't believe all the 9's and 8's that other people are giving it in this category. It is a very small solid state amp that costs around 100 bucks and it sounds just like a small cheap solid state amp. The built-in distortion is awful. Having said that, it does have surprisingly strong bottom-end for its size. With a reasonably good overdrive pedal in front of it and the amp set to "clean," the sound graduates from "awful" to merely "tolerable." But folks, this is NOT a blackface Vibrolux or a blonde Bassman or a Marshall Jubilee or any other amp that deserves a 9 rating under "sounds".

No idea. Had it three months; still works.

The other postings on here prove that most contributors have no idea of what a good amp sounds like; if all you do is play in your bedroom, this amp will allow you to hear yourself. If you are tired of carrying your Bandmaster to rehearsals and want to save your back, and you're not too picky about sounding good, this is a good buy. I admit I did gig with it twice, in a really small (!) pub, and it got me heard. But if you are considering buying a Nifty Fifty, don't be fooled into thinking that this is a serious guitar amp.

Brand new. 1999 manufacture I suppose. Features as stated in others' reviews. Been playing for 25 years, but haven't owned a lot of amps:
A small Crate back in the '80s. A little butt-kickin' Gorilla. Also a sweet old Epiphone (1/12) tube model(#?) w/'verb and trem! It is sorely in need of new tubes now...one of these days... Anyway, based on my love of my reissue 59-DC, and the reviews found here, etc., I decided to try out the Nifty Fifty.
I've gotta agree that this thing is cosmetically divine! And the sounds are pretty darn groovy. The settings listed in the manual are real helpful to those such as myself who aren't technophiles - in no time I was getting some impressive tones. I play avocationally - mostly blues, but a smattering of everything; so this is the ideal concept for me - small is good. Indeed, I like this pup a lot. There's only one thing about it that detracts from it's
"creampuff-at-a-bargain price" Holy Grail status for me. It has nothing to do with any LACK of anything - features, tone, nuthin'! see below...

Dano 59-DC. Mexi strat. Fine for my blues excursions and stuff. What knocks it down a notch for me (here we go) is the NOISE (see review above bemoaning speaker HISS) that the poor little hisser makes just sitting there. All controls DOWN even. Nothing plugged INTO it even. I emailed Dano' about it (just this morning - haven't heard back yet) I'm actually considering returning it. I guess I COULD live with it if I have to, but WHAT'S UP WITH THE HISS!? Could this not be reduced or eliminated. I kind of hope the joke's on me and this IS typical, but still it's a shame that this one aspect can be so seemingly incongruous with an otherwise HEARTBREAKER of an amp. That's IT! It's such a damn cool little amp that it just CAN'T have ANY flaws... But then again it was only $90.00... :(
Back to the review format... I haven't really cranked it yet - might never. No need. As stated: thrilled with tones and variety thereof! As indicated in other reviews: roll off that treble when you turn up the drive. Giving it a seven here only because of the EVIL HISS.

Seems good overall. Only had it a couple of days... I know - too soon for a review! ... but I couldn't resist... Don't gig, but I think it would do fine for my stuff if I did. Just mic it! An eight here because the hiss might indicate radioactive leakage or something. Kidding about the radioactive part of course : /

Based on others' stated experience, Dano should be very helpful. I'm sure I'll get an email response within a few days. I'm eager to hear from them. One year warranty. A five only because I can't yet speak from personal experience.

It's a sweet-pea overall! Definitely a tone mini-monster. I'd probably replace it if it walked away.
It really does have all necessary features. KILL THAT HISS and it would be manna from heaven! A nine because of that damned hiss. I mean it. It's ALMOST PERFECT. Now, I'll just make an appointment with my therapist and everything will be just fine...maybe I'll just hit a pillow...

This amp has five very nice feeling nobs, a switch, LED, power cord, nice manual, and one hell of a appearance! It's leather all the way around in perfect old-fashioned colors with a nifty logo on the front. The built in 'Dirty Sweet' overdrive is good too. A nice bonus is the manual that gives knob setting examples for different styles, which isn't really critical but is kind of helpful. The headphone jack is there, but is a little too quite when you're playing clean. Only 15 watts of power, but it sounds much more that that. For a small cheap amp, lotsof features.

The sounds are very versitile. Trying out the settings in the manual proves this. It get's pretty damn loud while sounding good, the best I've heard in a 15 watt amp. The distortion is sounds pretty good to me. It can be pretty noisy, but I think that's because of my crappy Samick Strat copy.

There's nothing to tell me it's not reliable. I've had it for a day, so I guess I can't really say but it seems sturdy. The only downside is two seconds I bought it I bumped it into the door on the way out of the shop, knicking the purdy leather. I fixed it up pretty well, but the delicate finish takes it down a couple knotches.

Beats me!

Hot damn, best little amp I've seen. Granted my experience in electirc guitars is very young, but I know what sounds good. This thing sounds good, and looks even better. I can't wait to take it somewhere and show it off. I upgraded from a weeney Peevey 15 watt practice amp, and the difference is incredible. The sound is so big, it's hard to believe it has an 8" speaker. I suppose since it's so cheap and low wattage it's technically a 'practice amp,' but if I would definatly use it for a show. If you are looking for a good affordable guitar amp, BUY THIS!

Features? What features. Hi-Mid-Bass, Level and Dirty-Sweet(distortion). 15 watts, one 8" speaker. Extremely cool covering and real leather handle. Shes a looker.

Im playing a Gibson Les Paul Special mainly through this amp with stock Gibson pickups. The amp sounds great overall an dis very quiet through my Les Paul. I havent had the chance to play a Strat through it yet, so I dont know how it reacts to single coils, but Im sure it would still be fairly quiet. The clean tone is very clear and pronounced with very little natural distortion until you get to about 4 oclock on the dial, after that it breaks up a little. There is also an amazing amount of low end on this little amp, more so than any other practice amp Ive ever played. Although the clean tone is nice and smooth, you dont get to the best part of this amp until you turn that Dirty-Sweet knob up a little. The crunch coming from this thing blows my mind. Turn it a little and get a fat, creamy bluesy overdrive, turn it up more and youve got full Marshall Plexi crunch. Man I love this amp. Ok, heres the bottom line, relative to the size of this amp and the price I payed for it, it is simply amazing. I give it a ten relative to the size and cost. However, this is no top of the line Matchless or Fender or Marshall. So, I give it a solid 8 overall.

The first amp I brought home died on me just five minutes after turning it on. It just developed this loud constant crackle . I checked my cables but it was defintely the amp. So I drove it back to the deal (Motor City Guitar, Waterford Michigan) and they replaced it without any problems. The one I have now has been great for the past several days. No problems so far. I have enough faith in this amp to gig with it if I had to.

I havent dealt with Dano but I did have to take the amp back to the dealer and they replaced it no questions asked.

Ive been playing for a couple of years now and currently own an Epiphone Les Paul and a Gibson Les Paul Special. In addtition to the Dano I own a PEavey Bandit 112. I would buy this amp again if stolen, its just so much fun. Overall its a great little amp for practice or miked gigs. It blows away any otehr amp in its price range. I would like it to have reverb, but ill live. This amp has my full endorsement however if you need a small amp to practice with. Its a great product.You

Three tone controls for a very versatile sound. The manual offers some pretty helpful suggestions for settings. Power cord unplugs you can stow it completely, nothing hanging out to catch on door knobs.

Outstanding for the price. Very sweet and versatile clean sound and the dirty goes nicely from thick to all out grunge. Very impressive for a solid state amp!

Mine broke down on day 5. Completely dead except with Dirty Sweet cranked all the way, At that setting it still worked perfectly.

I can't speak for Danelectro, but the local shop took very good care of me. Traded for a crate GX20M. Not as good a sound but I know I can count on a solid state crate.

I've been playing for 40 years (or so) I've used a lot of amps and was very impressed with the sound of this little guy. It certainly doesn't compare with my Boogie but it cost about a twentieth as much. I just HATE it when stuff breaks down, thus the low rating. It didn't last a week fer Hell sake!

Three tone controls, Dirty/Sweet knob for overdrive, volume control. No reverb. 8 in. speaker, 15 watts solid state.
VERY COOL soft leather-like covering, two-tone. It looks retro, but kind of nuevo retro, you know? Modern, yet old. I don't know.
All my reviewing here will be from the context of price/performance ratio.

I play in a surf band, and use a Fender Hot Rod deluxe amp, Danelectro DC (Jimmy Page models, you know) G&Ls. Also have a Strat, Les Paul Special, and Les Paul Custom.
I got this amp simply to screw around with, take elsewhere in the house to jam, back patio, run a stereo out to, etc. Not to play out with necessarily (although you could almost do that with this!)
That said, it is a cool amp. The manual really provides some great suggestions for different sounds. I LOVE the sound of the DC guitars, with the lipstick pickups, through this amp. It doesn't take a lot to overdrive it, and make it "fuzz out" like you're running it through your old stereo system, so the Danelectros, with their weaker output, are a perfect match. Sometimes I'll even play it in favor of my Fender tube amp, just for a different tone. Plus, IT JUST LOOKS SO COOL you have to play it from time to time.
As you turn up the Dirty/Sweet knob, it gets fuzzier, although up to about 9 o'clock, it pretty much just increases volume, which is good.
At higher overdrive levels, turn down the treble for more "ear pleasing" overdrive. If you're into it, the overdrive does indeed reach "thrash" levels.
Used with a Tubescreamer in front of it, helps the overdrive from being less fuzzy, but not a ton. It kind of retains its trashy sound.

So far, fine. Seems well-built. It's simple enough.

Not dealt with them.

This is a fun, very cool-looking little amp that really cranks pretty well. If my main amp went down, I would seriously give this guy a shot at a gig, with some pedals in front of it. For the price, it's just fantastic to have around. I own two of the new double cutaway guitars, and they're absolutely phenomenal.

Brand new amp, bought at Guitar Center grand opening. Overall: Solid state low-power (10-15W?) combo with 8" speaker, open back cabinet, headphone jack. Controls: Dirty-Sweet (gain), Level, Bass, Mid, Treble. Reverb would be great, but this thing is quite a bargain as it is. I bought this amp for quiet practice situations and portability.

So far I have used this amp with a Fender Lonestar Strat, American Standard Natural Ash Strat (I specify because I think the wood affects the tone), and a Les Paul Classic. My musical styles these days tend to be less modern, including blues, surf, rockabilly, a tiny bit of jazz, and a little bit of punk. This amp can handle all of these with no external effects, although I find that I prefer to use a nice clean sound on the amp and add distortion using outboard effects. Effects I use include an old MXR dyna comp, Ibanez TS9 (modified for TS808 circuit), Danelectro Daddy-O, Fab Tone, Cool Cat, and finally an old Ibanez AD9 delay. As you might imagine, the Dan-o effects sound pretty cool with this amp. The amp does not get as loud when kept clean as it can get when the gain is up, but by bumping the Dirty-Sweet up to around 9-10 o' clock the output can be increased with only slight compression and only a little noticeable distortion. When using the Dirty-Sweet to add distortion above around 11 o'clock, things can get quite buzzy and raw until you back off on the treble control - this is where it becomes obvious that you are dealing with a solid state amp. However, there is a large amount of control over the tone, and you can crank the distortion up and back off the high end to smooth things out for a very responsive, creamy lead tone. Alternatively, you can dial in a clean sound that is either somewhat bright (not quite sparkly - again, not my bag so it is okay with me), or quite warm. Oh, talk about warm - that is why I had to have this little guy, it had more warmth and bottom end response than the little Crate thing for $60 more, and the Crate actually does use tubes (it has a single tone control tho). Very impressive showing for a solid state amp. I've been playing tube amps exclusively for quite a while, and I am very impressed with the "vibe" of this cheap little Chinese made amp. The folks at Dan-o did their design and engineering work well before sending this for production. BTW, my experience has been similar with their pedals, which I have been using for almost two years now, since the Daddy-O first came out.

I've only had this amp for a week, but if it is anything like the Dan-o pedals, I don't expect to be making any warranty claims. I don't know if I'd be comfortable with any amp on a gig without a backup, but I'd be comfortable carrying the N50 as a backup for a tube amp. This amp has not broken down and does not exhibit any signs of early problems.

Have not dealt with customer support.

I've been playing for 19 years now, and currently own several (more like 9) guitars including the ones noted above, and other amps including Marshall, vintage Fender, vintage Gibson, and Music Man amps, and a big box of effects. I would replace this amp if lost or stolen, without hesitation, because I know I can take it anywhere with me and get a good sound without inflicting hearing damage on myself or anyone else, that is what I love about it. What do I hate about it? Well, I wish it was made here in the USA, but it seems very solidly built despite being made in China, and the components appear to be of moderately decent quality. The covering on the cabinet feels almost luxurious, the feet on the bottom are real screw-in rubber bumpers, and I can't believe the carrying handle is real leather.
I compared it to other products including Crate (the sound of the Crate did not compare to the Dan-o), the Dan-o Dirty Thirty (another surprising amp, but smaller and not as warm), and the Fender Pro Junior (really nice tone, real tubes, but 2-1/2 times as expensive with fewer features).
I was looking for a cheap and dirty little amp to take on vacation with me, and I think I ended up with something that I will be using a lot because it has the tone(s) I want at the low volume level I need to practice at. This amp is an incredible value at around $100.