Danelectro 59 DC Pro

Pride of Korea. I got this new back in DEcember 2000 as my first guitar. (well my first guitar was a crappy Harmony jr. acoustic I found in someone's trashcan with one string).

Its a double-cutaway semihollow body, stacked plywood sides covered with a smooth vinyl tape (not as cool as the older models "textured tape"). The tops are masonite (as is the pickguard). An AMAZINGLY light guitar. Jeez-- I havent done too much research, but probably the lightest commonly used guitar.

2 pickups (bridge, neck), very simple design...with a toggle switch that allows for either of the pickups to be heard alone, or BOTH in the middle position...really cool if you're into varying your sound on the spot, or pretending to momentarily cut your signal.

Its got concentric tone and volume knobs for each pickup. That means theyr stacked...the wider brown one on the bottom does volume, and the cream top one does tone. The knobs closer to the neck do neck tone/vol..and likewise is the case for the ones nearest the input jack for the bridge pickup.

I believe maple neck. Iv changed the stock tuners to another set of Gotoh's...They kept tune pretty horribly. Solid, chrome adjustable bridge (I dont know if it really is, but i felt it would be more reliable than the wood one)...seems to be fine. No vibrato...but still surfy as hell.

Its got all the features I feel that I need.

I play through a Ross distortion thats always left on, amp to a Kustom 250 head (big puffy tuck n' roll amp)/peavy(80s silver stripes down the side) 4x12 cab [[just got an Ampeg SuperJet today though!]]. I play simple music akin to some Beat Happening, and The Fall. Those are pretty cool bands you should check out if you have the time by the way.

Its a fun thing to play, even if no amp...Since it is a semi-hollow, it kinda reverbs itself (not just when amplified) and can be heard in a room with...ehh...3 people quietly sitting within 6ft.

Iv got the stock pickups, they put out a low signal, and doesn't get too much body...This is a jangly one, plus i use 9's. So all you gibson crunch fans out there-- this isnt for you.

Actually its lack of low end/weak output has been the main thing Iv hated about the guitar....Thats why I leave my distortion on all the time (on a low setting), to warm it up and give it some signal strength. But what it really comes off as is a weak signal magnified. Thats why today i got myself some 10's..I also have intentions of finding an affordable MXR 6band EQ...I played a boss one today at the shop, but I didnt like the way it looked (ha! but at least im honest)

It feedbacks really well (if your into that...i for SURE am..since that was kinda the reason i wanted to play guitar). But its easy to control its feedbackiness. It may be my combination of pedals though...i put the big muff on when i want a layer of thick noise, or to thicken the sound (you see,its lack of thickness really gets to me)...but its mostly off cuz i cant stand that shit for too long. Its all about moderation.

So my rating would be an 8 if you wanted it for a jangle overdub, brit-style guitar (haha...NOT a solo guitar).... and a 5 for general use.

But ill try to update my feelings on the guitar after iv changed strings, raised the action, tried the MXR and my new amp.

relatively thin neck..and LOW action...this made it easy for me to learn on. But now, i feel that it doesnt really have much umphff (see sound section). Besides that i mostly play on dead strings, i still feel like im playing nothing (another reason i got the 10s today).

My B string is consistently out of tune, i believe it may be poor saddle fit (its been like that since i got the guitar).

as for finish: looking at it dead on, it appears to be black...but at an angle it reveals itself as a light purple speckle...NOT sparkle-- those have LARGE flakes...mine is more of a soft glitter..its not noticeable enough to be annoyed with...but subtle, and i feel unique. I'll hand it to the folks at danelectro who have been pretty consistent with the looks of the majority of their guitars.

Its a glossy surface that dings, and scratches, but is damn durable... You dont really have to baby it to keep it in nice shape.

To date it remains my only player (why? because I dont have any other functional guitars, not cuz I have the ideal guitar for me). But like i said, you dont have to baby it to keep it in good shape. I am fairly rough with it, and bang on it...the lipstick tube pickups are imprinted with the low E string as proof of that...and somehow one of my frets is bent (thus producing a dead sound, in tune with the next fret up).

All controls have withheld theyr share of twisting and up-down motion. The concentric knobs have at times stuck so that when you turn the tone, the volume turns too...I have solved this by pulling on them, trying to separate them...A freind's knowledgeable dad helped once by putting in some lubricant...can't remember if it was a spray, or a white lithium...but it probably was a spray considering the miniscule gap between the knobs.

never dealt with the company..Although when i got my new tuners from Action music--- they were very freindly.

3 1/2 years. Im still a pretty crappy player, but know what sound I like, what feels right, and what looks good.

Its the lightest guitar with great straightforward features, and it looks good.

Just make sure your into a light jangly sound if you want this thing (or are prepared to either come to grips with it, or make some mods...i hear seymour duncan has a higher output single coil lipstick replacement).

If someone stole it, I would hope they left a pre-CBS duo-sonic in its place...then i would stop worrying about these bullshit tone/signal issues.

This ones a silver sparkle finish, made in Korea. Fully intonatable bridge, 2 lipstick pickups, and two stacked vol/tone pots. I believe their made of masonite. I think the tuners are ghoto, they stay in tune very well. No case or gig bag so I had to purchase one. This things very light and easy to play. A very basic guitar that covers alot of sound.

I keep this one in open E for slide guitar stuff. I run it through a TS-9 into a Visial Sound H20 into a Fender Deluxe Reverb. The pickups are a little noisy but if you roll off the tone almost(almost but not quite)it's not to bad. You get a nice boost when using both pickups this can be very usefull at times. This guitar has a nice jangly sound all it's own. My ears have heard alot of $2,000+ guitars and these things sound just as good. I also use an Epi Sheraton II with aftermarket Rio Grandes, an Ampeg AMG-1 with p-90's, a Kiesel Lap Steel with aftermarket Rio Grande, and assorted acoustics. I've had Les Paus, Teles, Strats, 335s, Grestch, and many other name brand guitars, but I've realized the best ones don't sport a name brand, that's just what you see everyone play on MTV. For anyone who wants a $1,000 guitar sound for $300 this is it. I have no dislikes.

The factory set up was fine. I changed the alumunim nut in favor of a bone one, and set it up for 11's. No finish flaws of any kind. There was no problems with the stock nut, I prefer bone nuts over any other material. Another 10 for this catagory!

I'm telling you, you can wail on this guitar and it stays in tune. The hardware is very simple and looks very durable. I like the oversize strap buttons, I actually had to remove them to get the strap on, they work great. It's very dependable for what I use it for- slide guitar work.

Never needed it, I havn't had any problems

I've been playing for around 15 years and had alot of different guitars as mentioned above, this was instantly one of my fav's and still is. I love a gitar that sounds this good for such a small price. I'd try to replace it if stolen, but Dano is not making them any more. I like the DC-59 PRO better than the DC-59 because of the intonatable bridge. I've never given any product straight 10's on all catagorys so this is a first!

Double cutaway, six string. Two pickups, adjustable bridge, same as the ones below.
Not many features, but I don't miss anything

I give it a 10. I'm no kid, I have a Bogner amp, and I have many pedals that cost more than this. I WANT a good $2,000 guitar, but this one has hurt other guitars for me. I also have a Heritage 535, which is the same as a Gibson ES335 (but cost less and is better made). Between the two I have all sounds covered. I reach for the Dano more often. It sounds good clean better than any Fender. Sound is somewhat trebly, but not any more so than any other single coil guitar. Both pickups provide a boost, either neck or bridge give different sounds. Neck-warmer, smoother. Bridge-Moer Jangle.

The guitar can do all clean sounds to crunchy/dirty distortion. The guiatr cannot do high distortion stuff too well, but that is more a limitation of single coils.

The Korean made Danos were hit and miss. You had to play a few. Some of the fret work was atrocious.

This one was almost perfect, only needed minor adjustements.

The vinyl tape sucks. If they used a heavier tape, like Jerry Jones or the Dano's it would've been the perfect guitar.

Can't play above the 14th fret too easy.

Used it every day for over two years, without problems.

It ain't going to last forever, and the cheap tape will only hold out for so long.

NA

Fantastic value. Would buy again in a heartbeat.

Only bitches: cheap tape, chunky neck joint neck

Sounds great, plays great. If you are thinking about getting one, make sure you play it first, and make sure it is a Pro, rather than just a 59DC. The regular DC 59 doesn't have an adjustable bridge, and the neck is painted. (although they sound almost the same).

Pretty much covered..all though I will reiterate that the PU's are Alnco and really kick....not a lot of usless stuff everything is here that you need

I play a little of everthing..and it covers it well..actually more versitle than my '62 Strat RI...Funny story..I some times sit in with
a Jazz band..the leader is always zinging me about the Strat.
I was jamming on the Dano in a warm up room when he stuck his head in "Hey you got a Arch top.......".nope just the Dano

Excellent all around ..the bridge was a little low; easy to adjust.
the Gotos are a NICE touch. Equal in quality to many much more expensive guitars.

Its the typical funky Dano construction...wihch holds up quite well
the one at Mannys held up for YEARS of stompbox auditions before being retired...

Seems to have moved I once sent in a Stompbox warranty card that came back with no known address

What a bargan..the store was closing it out 'cause it had a couple of small scratches and was missing the paperwork.
'Pro" means pro... I always wondered why so many "Real" players use these..now I know......

It has 21 frets and is 25" scale. This guitar has two Lipstick pickups (aged 50s style brass Alnico magnet with chrome covering), dual concentric tone and volume controls, and quality gotoh tuners. It is a semi-hollow body with an adjustable bridge and a very light satin finish on the hard maple neck. It has a rosewood fretboard and the body is hardboard over a plywood frame. The DC stands for double cutaway. I don't know about it having tons of features, but it has everything I want!

I play mainly rock, from oldies like Drifters, Buddy Holly and Beatles to not-so oldies like Ozzy, Dio and 80's Van Halen, plus some newer stuff, as well as originals, and this guitar is handling it all! I usually use a Boss EQ and a Powerlead distortion pedal for live settings. The bridge pickup comes through light, bright and trebly while the neck pickup is darker and thick. I usually prefer the middle setting (both pickups) but it is a great sounding guitar on all three. Together, they sound very full and rich. I have been able to achieve any sound I have attempted, so far.

This guitar has great action, that is the main reason I bought it. As soon as I played it at the store, I knew it was mine. There are no flaws that I am aware of on this guitar. The color is called black with gold metalflake and it is really cool! It looks gloss black, but when the light hits it right, it sparkles gold - awesome! The finish itself seems pretty indestructable and seems harder than any other guitar finish I've encountered. There is a (hard vinyl?) taping around the edge of the guitar that is off-white while the pick guard is stark white which is slightly funky but the overall look of the guitar is striking.

I have bumped this guitar on a few occations and have not seen any dings or scratches where I'm sure my other guitars would have had noticable marks. The hardware seems very well put together and there is nothing loose that is not supposed to be. I can totally depend on this guitar and I use it to gig without a backup.

I have contacted Danelectro via email about some general questions I had as well as having stained the taping that goes around the edge and I wanted to know what to use to clean it safely. Both times the response was quick and helpful. I've never had to have it repaired (and don't expect to) but after these experiences I'm confident that the customer service will be the same.

I've been playing for about 15 years, and I have a couple of custom guitars as well as a Fender Malibu and a Winston classical. If this guitar were lost or stolen I would go out and get another one (especially the color). I love the way it sounds because I can really capture the sounds of many of the standard songs that influenced rock. My favorite features are the play-ability and the color/look. It is incredible the way it fits into my hands like I was born with it.
I have a very old poster of the mighty Led Zep, I've had it for years. About a week after I bought this guitar, I was looking at the poster and noticed that the guitar Page is playing on one of the side photo-boxes is...you guessed it - and it is the same color as mine! Everything was exact, except that Page's was undoubtedly an original 59. This guitar is the best guitar for the money - a truly great value. I will definately buy another Danelectro - hey, for the price, why not two?

I bought it new, 2001, made in Korea, 21 I think frets, 2 single ciol pickups, 3 way selector, Silver glitter finish which I love! I think neck scale is 25. Didn't come with anything at all.

It sounds like a Jazz guitar through my JC-120. Thats one reason I bought, it sounded like none of the other guitars I tried, and encourages me to finger pick and stuff. It is great for rhythm, it sounds bad distorted. I guess "Full" is the best way to describe the sound. Like a Jazz guitar.

Guitar was set up great, but after taking it out of the airconditioned show room and in my hot humid home, it now needs to be adjusted.the frets are really nice. the guitar had a couple of nicks in the neck.

I would play with out a back up. Why wouldn't i?

N/A

been playing since 84. I have a gibson sg. man i was looking all over for a guitar to replace my SG. I wanted to get a tele or a Strat, but couldn't find a really nice one. They make a million different kinds of Fenders but I am stunned by the choices! too many choices! I was paralyzed! I like PRS's and Music mans/Peavey Wolfgangs but too expensive for me. I got the Dano because it was fun to play and I found my self playing it in the store for hours and hours, so I got it. Still, I am not totally happy with it or my SG. I think eventually I will sell both and get something else. Oh I played a phantom guitarworks teardrop. Check them out if you see one, sweet guitar. I got the Dano cause it was cheaper. Oh one last thing the Dano's only major drawback is nonexistent upper fret access!!

I just bought the guitar 1 week ago and feel compelled to review it already. This model has 2 lipstick pickups, a 3 way pickup selector switch, "stacked" volume/tone controls, adjustable bridge saddles (unlike many Danelectro models), high quality Gotoh tuners (also unlike most Dano models), a nice, chunky satin finished neck w/rosewood fretboard, a chambered "composite" body (masonite...) and mine came with a gorgeous midnight blue sparkle finish.

This guitar souds absolutely AWESOME! Even unplugged it sounds crisp and clear. When plugged in the lipstick tube pickups yield a variety of beautiful tones. I play mostly blues and I am able to use all 3 switch settings within my playing. It even has a surprising amount of sustain when overdriven. My favorite position is the middle (both pickups) setting. This setting offers up a great combination of Tele and Les Paul style middle setting tones -- these are NOT thin sounding pickups!

I got the guitar from Guitar Center and it was set up perfectly from the get-go. The neck feels wonderful, although, the fact that the body is so light makes the axe a bit neck heavy -- a minor problem. It's VERY easy on the back. The finish is breath-taking. It's a subtle midnight blue sparkle (looks black in low light) -- not the cheesy looking metal-glake fish they so often use.

I doubt this guitar would withstand much abuse. It is very lightweight and the controls are cheapo plastic stacked knobs. Who can tell though, there are still plenty of original 50's Dano's out there that have held up over the years. I guess time will tell.

I bought the guitar and a Danelectro "Amp in the Bag" gig bag ($39 on sale). The whole setup costed me just over $200 (tax included). This is BY FAR the best guitar value I've ever experienced. I have 3 other beatiful electric guitars including a Strat and an ES335, yet the 59 DC Pro always seems to make its way into my hands. I highly recommend this model.

1999 model 59 dc pro made in korea 22 frets lam top 2 vol 2 tone for each pickup 2 lipstick pickups maple neck plywood top and bottom
finish black sparkle double cutaway, gotoh tuners .

Play mostly old style 50,s 60,s surf music and led zepplin, hendrix
excellent sound very loud and clear tones for single pickups.You can
get alot of different sounds from this guitar does some heavy rock
also. Play it thru a line 6 amp which does an excellent job esp with
reverb. I have played many guitars and this guitar really shines esp
for the price. I like the fact that this guitar has a different look
and sound but in a good way .get

The guitar was set up very well the pickups are very well set up
just like everything else. Excellent finish will hold up very well.

I would say this guitar would hold up very well very durable esp compared to other guitars.

I have been playing for about 8 years now wish i had bought this
years ago. Also have a Ibanez rg 520qs and a fender telecaster.This
guitar really is much better than most people give it credit for
i think more people should check it out. I would buy another one in
a second esp for the price great quality and sound. I played alot of guitars and i LOVE this guitar.

I have had this guitar for about 4 months now. It was probably made in 1999. 2 lipstick pickups with "vintage magnets". 2 sets stacked volume/tone controls. 3-way pickup selector front/rear/both.
Typical Danelectro body construction in a double-cutaway shape. The neck is maple with a rosewood finger board. Absolutely wonderful fretwork and action. Gotoh tuners and the updated adjustable metal bridge. Metal nut. Metal strap buttons. Weird and bulky neck joint gets a point taken away.

I have been playing about 30 years, but only as a hobby. I make up my own stuff from jazz to rock. The variety of sounds availiable is amazing. The bridge pickup by itself is very trebly, but is useable. The neck pickup by itself is a tone machine. Both pickups at the same time adds fullness and volume. Lots of vintage tones here. The 2 sets of tone controls seem to interact in strange and interesting ways when both pickups are on. There is more definition to the higher pitched notes with both pickups on. This particular guitar is very quiet, although turning up the treble on the bridge pickup can frizz your hair!
I bought a Danelectro Nifty Fifty to play through, and it compliments this guitar very well. Usually, I play through a Scholtz Rockman X100 battery powered headphone amp because I love the Rockman chorus and reverb sounds, and it puts out a stereo signal.

In the store, I played about a dozen Danelectros thru my Rockman, and this was the one that was the best set up. There was quite a difference between setups, even on the same models. Whoever set this one up seems to have had lots of time and much skill. I cannot find any flaws in fit or finish even after 4 months! The neck is easier to play than my 70's Gibson ES 335. This particular guitar is finished in Deep Blue Pearl, It looks black until light hits it, then it glows deep, deep blue. I will take off a point, though, out of respect for real tone woods.

The tuners are OK and hold in tune very well. The adjustable metal bridge is light years ahead of those ones with the wood chips. The metal strap buttons are fine and secure. I know people play these live with no problems. Not for thrashers, though. Quite light and well-balanced.

I haven't needed to contact them, but they have a great website that has audio files of all their guitars, basses, amps, and effects. It's one of the best I've seen.

I have been playing for about 30 years, and have an ES335, a Les Paul, and an old Gibson archtop acoustic. I already have my sights on another Danelectro - probably a U3 or a Mod. If I lost this one, the search would be on for the same model. There is only one major flaw, it is difficult to play past the 14th fret because of the strange bolt-on neck joint, I would gladly pay another hundred or so for a nice set neck. For what it costs ($349 list), it is a tremendous value.