Danelectro Hodad 12-string

Korean built 12 string dano in a beautiful deep blue with purple sparkles. A paint job that any car would envy. It's a 2000 model I think with three pickups, 6 position pickup selector and the imfamous "blow" switch. Bought as old/new stock off of ebay a month ago.

I can't say enough about the sounds that this baby gives. Playing it without an amp you can really hear the resonance of the hollow body. Plugged in you can get an amazing variety of sounds from warm and deep to jangly. Perfect for that 60's sound or alt-rock sounds. I was looking for a poor man's Ricky and in my opinion I got something better for about a fifth of the price.

The guitar came set up wonderfully for a guitar that sat on a store wall for 5 years. Played like a dream once it was tuned up. Action is nice and low. Stays in tune which is a godsend with a 12 string. All I have to say is I'm glad I have an electronic tuner. The body was perfect, the pots a little scratchy but some contact cleaner fixed that right up.

For a plywood and masonite guitar it feels very solid. I've only had it a while but it feels like it will last a long time. Since I'm not made of money I'd gig without a backup but I feel that it's sturdy enough anyways.

Never tried to contact them

I've been playing for 25 years and I own a American Tele reissue, a Charvette, Ibanez MC300, Fender acoustic and a Yamaha acoustic. If this was stolen I would buy one of the new Dano 12 strings that they just released. Too good a sound to do without. It's the 12 string electric I've always wanted.

The topic of this review is a Danelectro 12 string Hodad. I purchased it used on eBay four months ago. The guitar has three lipstick pups and numerous other features which are discussed in previous reviews. I must admit it was the "Roger Mac" Homespun tape that piqued my curiousity about 12 string guitar. The guitar has a black top/bottom and white side trim color combo. The neck is a bit on the wide side, but still quite comfortable. Tuners may be Gotohs, but am not certain of this. Bridge is just adjustable Fender style (string through body). I replaced the aluminum nut to get the reverse stringing that the Ric uses. I use this guitar with an external compressor. I believe you can purchase a kit on the internet and install an internal compressor if you are handy with a soldering iron and are comfortable repositioning the guitar's electronic innards.

Being the 12 string novice that I am, I can't comment intelligently on the sonic capabilities of the instrument. I do get that legendary "jangly" sound that I had hoped for and can play Byrd's covers for hours with just this guitar. Might as well practice on the best material of the '50s/'60s! The sound can be quite bright (bridge pup only) and the tonal palette of the instrument is amazing as you add in/take out pups.

The guitar was purchased new from a music store and setup is fine. Fretwork was okay (medium) and no buzzing evident. The instrument has a typical Danelectro plywood "sandwich" style body - no frills, but great sound and projection. I am just playing it through a modest US Amplifier (50 watt - 10 inch speaker) plus the compression box. Other than changing the nut it is all stock.

I have not used this guitar for any playing dates yets so can't comment on durability. I have read about Danelectro's tendency to exhibit a body flex, but so far haven't found any intonation problem in that regard. This is really a specialty instrument for me and would not be subjected to rigorous use. As I don't have a 12 string electric backup I would have to use it without backup on a job and hope for the best. The hardware seems durable - can't vouch for the strap buttons.

Simple one word answer regarding customer support - none

I have been playing guitar off and on for 45-50 years. I own nine other low priced guitars - Ovation Celebrity, Agile AS-820 (335 clone), Essex EG270 (LP clone),Rogue (MF) acoustic 12 string,Ibanez electric nylon strung thin body cutaway, Paradise (MF)electric nylon strung standard body, Ibanez archtop electric, Fender MIM Telecaster, Squier Mini-Strat and a five string banjo. My favorite feature of this instrument is that '60s jangly sound. If it were stolen I would hope that whoever stole it is getting as much enjoyment out of playing it as I have. I did check out another 12 string i.e. Dean Boca. I couldn't afford it pricewise ($400) so passed it up. It did exhibit good workmanship and tonal variety, but not as versatile soundwise as the Danelectro IMO. The Rics were out of the question for me due to price. For me the Hodad is a good, affordable guitar for a specialty purpose.

I don't know the year of this guitar, but everything is laid out as if it was built by a guitar player, not a pencil pusher. It feels comfortable and is as easy to play as any 6 string.

the sound is amazing for a cheap guitar. It is very versitile. I have some seventies model japenese 12 strings that don't even compare to this one. I run it clean thru my demeter amp and on the first strum people look up to see what is making that sound.

The action is fantastic. It's like playing a six string and getting a 12 string sound. The paint job is cool, but I'm old and I prefer a more conservative look

i would trust this guitar for a live show. I don't think it will be passed down thru generations to come, but I feel it will last till some one steals it

na

I have seven 12 strings counting my doubleneck, and I feel dollar for dollar this is prabably the best deal I got. I had one before which I gave to my brother, and I just had to get another one. Te ease of playing, the sound, the price, it has everything going for it.

Made in Korea - 1999? Typical Danelectro construction (plywood frame, masonite-type back & front), 3 pickups, stacked volume, tone controls, "Blow" switch that turns on all three pickups, "Selectomatic" switch for a wide variety of sounds, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, aluminum nut. Mine is a pearl/violet color - changes as you move it. Completely functional 12-string bridge - 6 thru-body, 6 thru-bridge, Gotoh tuners.

I play a variety of music - has several distincly different sounds, all nice - from a Rick-type sound to almost acoustic 12-string. Each time I change settings, I like what I hear - jangly to full. I can't see how a 12-string could be any more versatile.

Action is great - set up very low without buzz, pickups set close, but not too close (adjustable). I've looked it over many times and can't find any flaws. It looks like something that could be in a post-WWII kitchen - I love it. It's as well-made as any off-shore I've tried.

I'm sure that this guitar would stand up to live playing and be depended on - just look how many old Danos are around, and this seems a lot more solid than the 60's models. I wouldn't try any WHO batterings with it, though. Reliable in any normal setting.

Did get one return e-mail to a question, but other than that, pretty non-existant support (not needed either). Not sure of warranty.

Been playing for 38 years. Own a G&L Legacy, Epiphone Howard Roberts, Epiphone EM-1, Kramer bass, Ovation mandolin, couple of acoustics. I'm blown away by the quality and variety of sounds. It is THE 12-string electric for those who aren't going to buy a Rick. Would definately replace if stolen, if I could find another. I only wish that Danelectro had been able to push their guitars for their worth, and not go the sparkly-novelty route. These are great guitars (they make great effects, too - I have 11 of them!). I'm afraid they may be doomed, so pick up one if you still can.

Bought this guitar used so I dont know how old it is. 3 pickups, blow switch, volume tone and a rotary selcetor (does anybody know which pickups are being used for each rotary position?). Overall I would say it does have some very usable features.

I play mostly pop stuff with some rock and progressive thrown into the mix, this guitar is great for the pop stuff. Very nice jangly sound. Some complaints though (yes I know it is a cheap guitar which is why I am still rating it very high). The neck/body balance is awful, the strap buttons are incredibly big, the pickups while sounding nice are weak and the blow switch doesnt really give you that much of a "humbucker" type sound, more like a humbucker underwater. Oh and I dont know if it is standard or not but mine had a metal nut with sharp edges to it, that went bye bye real fast in favor of a bone nut. All that said I bought the thing for only $250 so as Joe Walsh once said, "I cant complain but sometimes I still do". I would give it a 9 if it werent for the fact that I have to futz with my amp(s) volume when I use this guitar because of the weak pickups and I use a Fender hot rod deville and a Marshall combo in stereo so anytime I have to deal with volume it's a pain in the !@#.

When I first got it that action was Grand Canyon awful, but a trip to a repair guy got the action right, and I gave it a new nut and now it plays like a dream.

Seems too light to be incredably solid, but it does seem like it could do shows without too much trouble. Plus who can afford a backup 12 string?

If it were stolen I would track them down and bury that plastic body in thier head because I really do like this guitar. But then I would rob them and buy a 12 string Rick with the money so I cant like it that much right.

this is a new one, not sure how new though. the blow switch is useful, but still doesn't sound as good as the regular settings. it has a 6 postion knob for the 3 pickups, im assuming the even numbers on the switch are for coil tapping, but regardless, most settings sound great. i gave it a 9 for features due to the fact that the sounds it can produce can amlost span the whole gamut of 12 string sounds.

Now, I didn't grow up in the '60s, nor am I a Byrds fan, so I tend to use the bridge pickup less than the neck. i rarely use the center pickup at all. the neck pickup isn't boomy like everyone says. i find that the neck pickup makes this guitar. nice full tone, with little thwapping or any shit like that. any Low fans reading this (i doubt there are very many) will love this guitar for obvious reasons. i actually prefer this guitars sound over the rickenbacker. the rick is a little too nasal for me, although it does look a hell of alot cooler than the hodad.

the action was perfect when i bought it. no complaints there, however i do HATE how flexible the body and neck are. if i put any kind of pressure on the body with my right arm while i play it will change the pitch. just moving the guitar around will vary the pitch by a quite a bit. sometimes i will be tuning it while playing it on my leg, then ill stand up with it and it will be out of tune. this is why it gets a 5.

yeah id play with it live. it looks like it could take some abuse. i read other reviews of people saying that the neck weight is way too great compared to the body. YES! this is certainly true. if you let go of the neck while playing with a strap, it will always shift own to the left. it can be a pain, but its not my main gripe. i doubt ill try to rectify this problem anytime soon.

nope!

Well, it sure isnt the prettiest guitar ive seen, and the flimsy body makes me a bit wary. but if you want a dirt cheap 12 string guitar that sounds great and plays well, and you dont like to rest your hand on the bridge (which I unfortunately do,) then look into this thing.

This 12 string is constructed with the typical Danelectro hardboard/body maple neck configuration. It has a surprisingly solid
feel, with an attractive blue pearl finish. This model has three single coil "lipstick tube" pickups and a "blow" switch which enables you to activate all three pick-ups at once. The tuners and bridge are
well-made and seem to be quite solid. The tone and volume controls
seem pretty flimsy.

This guitar is perfect for that rich 12 string sound that is essential to folk-rock, Byrds-style songs. The pick-ups are so quiet its hard to believe they are single coils. I've got a Fender Jaguar and Jazz Bass that make all kinds of noise, but not the Danelectro. Some other reviewers have knocked the bridge pick-up setting, but I think they are missing the point. The reason I play an electric twelve is to get that jangly tone that is captured perfectly by the bridge pickup. The
middle and neck position pick-ups provide a good combination of tones,
and can be used to get a heavier, "Stairway to Heaven" feel. But its the bridge setting that makes this guitar so valuable to me.

The action on this Hodad 12 was a pleasant suprise. They did a good job at the factory, and I have no complaints. The workmanship was fine, especially for such a reasonably priced instrument. I was afraid the finish would be pretty bizarre, but its a deep blue with purple sparkles--- which looks better than I expected. The sparkles
don't really show up unless the light hits it right. To be candid, I would play this guitar if it was the ugliest color known to man.
The maple neck has a solid feel, and the string spacing is very comfortable. I won't claim that this a better instrument than a Rickebacker 12, but I do like the string spacing better.

I suspect that it would hold up pretty well, but I'm using it for recording and playing at home. I don't think the volume and tone controls would take much, but the other hardware and toggle switches feel solid. The strap buttons on this model are more solid
than some of the less expensive Dano models (they're metal!).
I would use it on a gig without a back-up, but then I would be taking a 6 string along, anyway.

I haven't needed to contact the company. They made this one well enough that I haven't had any reason to contact them.

I've been playing in clubs and songwriter venues off and on since the late 60s. I own a 1963 Gibson Reverse Firebird, a clay dot, pre-CBS Fender Jaguar, mid-70s Jazz Bass, and a 1962 Gibson J-50. I learned to play guitar by trying to imitate the sound of Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, so this 12 is really fun for me. If you play octaves or finger-pick , this guitar allows you to re-capture some of that
feel. I especially like the sound this guitar provides on double
stops. I would definitely have to buy another one if something happened to this model. My favorite features, as previously mentioned, are the bridge pick-up and string spacing. I do wish they had located the toggle switch farther from the bridge pick-up. Its too easy to accidentally activate all three pickups. The only other thing I would add is that the quality of this instrument is amazing for the price.

this is an amendment to a previous review of mine, which I posted a couple days after first getting this guitar. After using it for about a year, I can say that I'm still very impressed by it! I used it in the studio to record a song for my friends wedding; I layered on a clean Hodad 12 part, an acoustic guitar, and then (get this) a semi-distorted 12 string guitar! I was too lazy to bring in two guitars, and it worked out really well! The clean tones on this guitar are really stellar, full of shimmer and brightness. Playing live with a piano-led praise band at my church, I found that I prefer switching to the overdrive channel of my amp (it has a tube preamp, the amp is a hybrid) and setting the gain low. Then I turn on the blow switch to fatten it up, and I usually do lots of arpeggios in my chord patterns...they REALLY stand out on a 12 string electric. Think of Stairway to Heaven...the electric 12 string Jimmy used was doing arpeggios too. But what really got me going today at band practice was doing Townshend-style slashes on these open chords, and letting them ring...so awesome. This guitar makes a great rhythm guitar. It doesnt do much...but pair it with a tube amp good at clean tones like a Vox AC30 or a Fender, and WOW, what it DOES do is EXCELLENT. I loved this thing so much, I bought the Hodad Baritone guitar, to turn into a 6 string bass. Actually, I bought that one because it was dirt cheap, but still, I cant say enough about these new Danelectros...some people have had bad experiences with them, but hey, I havent ripped my hand open on bad fret work (yet). And...the price is too low to complain about quality consistency. Just find a good one, and you will be happy. Did I mention they look cool? I get more compliments on this cheap plywood and formica guitar than on what I consider to be my stunningly beautiful guitars: my wine red Les Paul, my Rickenbacker bass in mapleglo finish, and my homebuilt swamp ash tung-oiled Jazzmaster style guitar. Danos have a very high built in coolness per cost ratio, so check them out...

I already recorded a Byrds-compilation with it; good sound! For gigs I use a Boss Compressor/Sustainer-3 and my Marshall tsl 2000, clean channel of course. Very impressive sound.

I did try a Rick before I bought this. It probably had not been set up properly, but I could not get an idea of the sound, as I couldn't play it because of the thin neck. I had my Hodad set up by a pro and now it plays as light as a 6-string. It comes with 009 strings and now I have 010: because stays in tune better. No problem to play bar chords.

I submitted a report earlier; since then I have got my answers from Danelectro, in fact they were very helpful. I asked them how I could compensate for the neck-heaveyness and they suggested that I could relocate the bottom strap-holder 2 inches upward, but I haven't noticed much difference afterwards. Against their advice I tried to screw a couple of 60 grams lead tyre-weights against the central part of the body(inside),butI got the impression that the sound suffered from it, although the weight division felt a little better.

If anybody has a good solution for the neck heaviness, please post it here.

I won't bore you with repeating the features. Generally very good; however, the "blow" switch is placed right where an enthusiastic strum will suddenly kick in all three PUs for a much louder, boomy sound. If I can, I'll turn it around so you have to pull UP for the blow feature. That might not be as easy as it sounds. I've looked inside, and the switch is a tight fit and a wiring nightmare (for the 3-PU series setting) compared to good 'ole Gibson selectors.

It sounds great, with lots of very different tonal characters available through the "varitone" rotary selector.

What can I say? How do they produce such good-playing attractive guitars so cheaply?

As long as you don't use it as a baseball bat you should be OK.

For the money, you can't beat this guitar with a stick. Great action, great sound, funky cool looks. Buy one now.

Hodad body styled electric 12-string, with three "lipstick" single coils, wired in series, and a "blow" switch to engage them all at once. The body is plywood framed, with masonite back and top, a thick black/gold metal flake finish, and plastic edge binding. The neck is maple, with a rosewood fretboard. The tuners are non-locking Gotoh, in chrome. A nice feature is the individual bridges for each string, as opposed to Dano's other twelve, with only six bridges. No suprise, given the design, but this guitar is slightly neck heavy. In another review of this guitar, it was suggested that a bit of weight be placed behind the electronics cover, and I'll probably do that. That said, this is a nice, basic twelve-string electric, at a low price.

Nice "jangly" sound (what else, it IS a twelve-string, after all!). No sustain to speak of, but my compressor fixed that right up. A Danelectro compressor into a Vox Pathfinder practice amp works quite well for this guitar. Besides the obvious Byrds and Beatles things, this guitar comes in handy for old, pre-disco Rod Stewart (think of the intro to Maggie May, You Wear It Well, or Every Picture Tells a Story). The pickups are quiet (no 60-cycle hum), and the bridge setting (Selection 6) is nice and bright. A very good sounding guitar for it's price.

Adequate set-up from the factory, and a trip to my local luthier set everything to my preferences. All the parts were tight, well-fitted, and in pretty good adjustment on arrival.

I think this guitar would hold up to live playing, after all, you probably won't use this guitar for every song.

Well, my dream guitar is a Rickenbacker 330/12 (what my wife refers to as my "Wayne's World" guitar: "IT WILL BE MINE), but for the money, this is a nice electric twelve. If it got lost, or stolen, I'd buy another, it's an in-expensive way to enjoy the a fairly specialized sound. While not as versatile as a Strat, an LP, etc, it creates that folk-rock sound that my ears sometimes crave. Dano seems to have a talent for building inexpensive, but fun, guitars and effects, and this guitar fits right into that mold.

6 position tone selector knob, 3 pickups, aluminum nut, metal bridge, adjustable, neck does not appear adjustable, gotoh mini tuners

sound is bright, playing through fender '50s deluxe amps, one pickup position setting is dirty and distorted, probably by design, very interesting, 3 pickups, but only 2 position pickup switch! I guess you get either the front two, or rear two pickups, middle is always engaged?

setup well, pickups are close to strings, intonation is very close. feels neck heavy, becase body is so light, probably some composite/plastic/veneer, definitely not solid wood for the body. paint appears ok, no rattles, but definitely a fragile feeling compared to fender strat, tele, and gibsons.

see above. for the price, it has a great sound and seems solid if not abused. stays in tune well for now, am contemplating some slightly beefier light 10s (comes with 9s to 42 (9/9, 11/11, 16/8, 24/11, 32/17, 42/22)

no contact

Have several other guitars, but this is my first 12-string. I like it. It was inexpensive (relatively), and has a good sound. It is not built like a fender, it seems more fragile and light.

Purchased Sept, 2000, came in perfect conditon, hollow body with laminated top...it is somewhat neck-heavy but I can live with it. Tone is super! String gauges are uniquely just right for me. I've been playing Ernie Ball lights and the danelectro set is better. The selectomatic has great choices of pickup configurations. Neck and size is better than any other that I've played. Bridge and tuners are very good quality.

I play a Fender Hot Rod Deville (4x10) and a wide array of country rock styles. This hodad is great on country and classic rock tunes. Mine is the black/gold beautiful finish.

Haven't found any flaws yet.....action is excellent for a twelve string. no problems with any of it.

Metal strap buttons, Neck is near perfect, tone and volume controls work well. But the body does seem a bit fragile since it is not a solid body. It arrived in a cardboard box..for now I keep it in a padded bag, but I plan to order the tweed hardshell case for it this week. If it gets dropped or stepped on, it may be a catastrophe. I've played this thing for about 5 shows and it plays great. It's a keeper.

I purchased the extended warranty from Musicians' Friend...they've been good about returns in the past. I hope this hodad will not need any repairs....but it is a cheaper guitar than I'm used to. I would definitely buy another if it came down to that. If you like electric 12 strings, this one will please you.

I've been playing 12 strings (acoustic and electric) since 1965...I was fasinated by the Byrds' sound. I emailed the Danelectro company and asked some questions about the neck and pickups before ordering, and they answered in about 3 days and were helpful. I've played several models of electric 12 strings, including gibson, fender, and ibanez...this one beats them in all categories.

Brand new from the factory. Made in Korea. Wide straight neck, perfect frets. Comfortable to play. Flawless finish (Midnight Blue). Reasonably balanced between neck and body. 3 dano lipstick pickups with varitone switch provides lots of tonal combinations easily. Very clean and resonant sounds.

Can replicate virtually any 12 string sound with the exception of a fat Gibson 12-string (335 style), from very trebly to warm acoustic tones. Lots of variation tonal-wise.

Guitar had to be set-up by technician for string intonation. Bridge, nut and saddles needed minor work. Neck was straight and didn't need resetting. From factory, intonation was off but is now absolutely perfect all the way up the neck. Finish was flawless.

Goo quality throughout.

Took a real long time getting the axe from the factory to the seller. I purchased it over the Net. UPS lost the package, then found it again. No damage occurred during shipping. Probably wasn't the fault of the factory.

Tried all kinds of 12-strings over the years. Rick has too narrow a neck and felt like balsa wood. Originally bought the earlier model Dano 12 (2 pickups) but sold it to get the Hodad model. This is absolutely the best 12 string for the money, very comfortable neck, good sound, I love it!

great

great

Problem: neck heavy. I'm thinking of putting a piece of lead inside. (there's a little chrome cover at the back on the control cavity)

great

I posted 4 or 5 questions on the Dano website a week ago; still waiting.

I wonder what will happen if I reverse the strings, like on a Rick.The sound will probably get thinner as the thin strings must go through the body instead of the thick ones. Anybody who did this, or can predict the result soundwise?
I'm thinking of putting an onboard compressor inside; is the orange squeezer any good?

Brand new 2000 model Hodad 12string guitar. It has the Hodad body style, like a Mosrite shape. It has three lipstick pickups, a rotary six position pickup selector, and a blow sitch that harnesses all three pickups in series for a humbucker sound. It has a fixed adjustable bridge and Gotoh tuners. Neck is maple with rosewood fretboard. Body is semihollow plywood frame with masonite top and back. It also has concentric volume and tone knobs. Lots of cool toys, espcially all the switching choices.

This is again where this guitar shines. Compared with the other 3 pickup Danos, this one has its pickups pushed more toward the bridge. This helps give it more of a bright sound. And bright it is! It has the jangly shimmering tonalities you would expect out of a 60s style 12 string electric. Its easy to nail the Rickenbacker sound, and for less than a third the cost! The guitar cant get very deep and rich sounding, but thats not why you buy a 12string. It still sounds full, as long as you dont select the bridge pickup alone, which is a sort of useless setting. The blow switch gives a humbucker sound with a little less treble bite, more volume, and a thicker sound when you need to have the Jimmy Page "stairway to heaven" 12 string sound. Surprisingly my guitar is quite quiet. I expected a noisy buzzer of a guitar. But overall very pleasing in this area.

Great set up, plays great for a 12 string guitar. Havent spotted any flaws yet. This is all pretty amazing for a cheap import guitar. The best thing in this category is the fact that the neck is wide and playable, as compared to the unnaturally thin and cramped necks on the Rickenbackers. Also its very light. And the finish is deep blue pearl, a real dark sparkley blue. Nice.

Ok here I'm pretty confident. This is one of the very few Danos to actually have real strap buttons. Yes, good solid metal ones that wont rip out whenever they feel like it. It is a hollow masonite guitar though, probably couldnt stand that much abuse, but I love it far too much to find out. I give it a 9.

I emailed frequently a guy called Pat McGinnis, he was very helpful in helping me find this guitar. Pretty good service. Of course I was buying a guitar, who knows what theyd be like if I wanted to return it because of a problem.

A great "novel" instrument to give me a break from stereotyped clean strat sounds and crunchy les paul tones. Very cool...I may not use this guitar all the time, but I have a feeling I am falling deeply in love with it. So much new territory to cover with this new instrument. Again, VERY VERY cool. If somebody stole it I would choke them to death with an 80/20 bronze 54 gauge string. I love this guitar.