Nathan I. Daniels (1912-1994) was a New York electronics buff who began assembling amplifiers at home in 1934. In the mid-1930s, he was contracted by Epiphone (NYC) to build Electar amps, and successfully created a reputation and finances to start the Danelectro Corporation in 1948. Daniels' new company had offices and a factory in Red Bank, NJ.
By 1953, the first guitar was designed, and it was introduced in 1954. It has been hypothesized/assumed that Daniels had consulted his long time friend John D'Angelico for assistance in the fret spacing and bridge placement. While most people believe the body frame under the masonite is pine, Paul Bechtoldt confirmed that the body is poplar (and his source was Vinnie Bell!). In 1959 or 1960 the company moved to 207 West Sylvania Avenue in Neptune City, NJ, where it remained until its demise in 1968.
All models were assembled in the Neptune City factory, and the majority were sold to Sears, Roebuck under their Silvertone trademark. Many of the popular designs should be considered semi-hollowbodies, for they have a masonite top and back mounted on a pine frame. The renowned Lipstick Tube pickups are exactly that: Danelectro bought the lipstick casings from a manufacturer who serviced the cosmetics industry, and then sent them to another contractor for plating before the pickup was installed inside.
The company grew during the 1960s guitar boom from under 100 employees to a peak of 503. George Wooster, Danelectro's production manager, estimated that the company produced 150 to 200 guitars a day during peak periods.
In late 1967, MCA (the entertainment conglomerate) bought Danelectro. In the same year, they introduced the Coral line. While 85% of Danelectro's output (guitars and amps) was for Sears, the Coral line was Danelectro´s catalog line. The bodies for the Coral series were built in Japan, but the parts and assembly were done in the New Jersey plant. After MCA purchased the company, they began to do business with individual music shops instead of the big distributors - which brought them into competition with Fender and Gibson. Rather than point out the problem with that corporate thinking, let history do the talking: MCA folded Danelectro in 1968.
William C. Herring bought Danelectro's factory from MCA for $20,000 in late 1968 or 1969. Herring met Dan Armstrong (ex-Ampeg) and the pair visited the empty facilities and found numerous partially completed guitars and machinery. Armstrong contracted to build Danelectros for Ampeg, but by then the amplifier company was in financial straits and couldn't pay for them. These models have the single cutaway bodies, and Dan Armstrong modified Danelectro on the pickguard.
In the late 1980s, the rights to the Danelectro name were acquired by Anthony Marks, who set about building "new" Danelectros with Asian-built bodies and NOS Danelectro necks. While the Blue Book of Electric Guitars has heard of this project, there have been no guitars witnessed to date. It is unknown how extensive this undertaking was.
The rights to license the Danelectro name were purchased by the Evets company in late 1995, and at the NAMM show in January 1997, Danelectro debuted three new effects pedals. Shortly thereafter, Danelectro released the first reissue in a series of new guitars to debut in the late 1990s. Most new Danelectros were reissues of their popular vintage models, but they did release a few new designs as well. This venture lasted until 2003 when Evets discontinued the entire line of Danelectro. In 2005, Danelectro reappeared once again with a new way to market their guitars - limited editions. Their new plan involves releasing a guitar and only producing it for a short time (typically around a year). As of 2011, LPD Music International in Madison Heights, MI is distributing Danelectro in the U.S., and in 2012 they announced that production was moving back to Korea. For more information, visit Danelectro's website or contact them directly. Source: Paul Bechtoldt and Doug Tulloch, Guitars From Neptune, Mark Wollerman, Wollerman Guitars, and Doug Tulloch.
Instruments currently produced in Korea since 2012. Distributed by LPD Music International in Madison Heights, MI. Guitars were previously produced in Red Bank, NJ from 1953 to mid-1958, in Neptune, NJ between mid-1958 and 1969, overseas between the late 1990s and 2003 and in China by the Evets Corporation between 2005 and 2011. Between roughly 1956 and 1967, distribution was handled by the Danelectro Corporation of Neptune, NJ. However, the majority of instruments were sold or distributed through the Sears & Roebuck chain. From 1967 to 1969, distribution was handled by the MCA Corporation after they purchased Danelectro.

DANELECTRO Electric Guitars Models

DANELECTRO 6-STRING BASS REISSUE Image

DANELECTRO 6-STRING BASS REISSUE

- 56 body style in a 6-string bass version, two lipstick tube style single coil pickups and stacked volume/tone controls, selector switch, upgraded tuners, available in Limo Black, or Turquoise Metalflake, mfg. 1999-2003.

DANELECTRO 56-U1 REISSUE Image

DANELECTRO 56-U1 REISSUE

- single cutaway semi-hollow body, masonite top and bottom, bolt-on maple neck, adjustable truss rod, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays, rosewood/metal stop tailpiece, "Coke bottle" peghead with screened logo, 3-per-side se...

DANELECTRO 1954 FIRST MODEL Image

DANELECTRO 1954 FIRST MODEL

- single cutaway poplar wood body with vinyl edging, neck reinforcement consisted of a .75 in. square aluminum rod which ran from nut to bridge, "Bell"-shaped headstock with large rear volute and angled stenciled logo with "curly-cue" desig...

DANELECTRO PRO 1 Image

DANELECTRO PRO 1

- square-ish offset masonite body with vinyl edging, one pickup, white baked melamine triangular pickguard, Brown with sparkle accents only, introduced in 1963, phased out in 1964.

DANELECTRO SHORTHORN STANDARD #30XX Image

DANELECTRO SHORTHORN STANDARD #30XX

- double cutaway Masonite body with vinyl edging, one or two pickups, "Coke bottle" headstock, early versions had a clear "Kidney"-shaped pickguard with a separate white vinyl underlay and the input jack mounted on the lower body edge. This...

DANELECTRO DANE "A" SERIES Image

DANELECTRO DANE "A" SERIES

- guitar, bass, and twelve-string versions. Offset solid wood body, six-in-line matching headstock (twelve-string resembles "batwing" headstock) with raised chrome script logo, one or two pickups (one for bass), optional "Flexbridge" vibrat...

DANELECTRO 56 PRO Image

DANELECTRO 56 PRO

- single cutaway hollow masonite and plywood body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, three-per-side tuners, adjustable bridge, two lipstick pickups, clear pickguard, two knobs, three-way switch, chrome hardwar...

DANELECTRO HAND VIBRATO GUITAR Image

DANELECTRO HAND VIBRATO GUITAR

- double cutaway Masonite body with vinyl edging, one or two pickups, Batwing headstock with raised chrome script logo, all equipped with "vibrato" bridge, large white painted pickguard which surrounds pickups, pickguard mounted input jack,...

DANELECTRO "B" SERIES Image

DANELECTRO "B" SERIES

- guitar and twelve-string versions, offset semi-solid "Durabody" with vinyl edging, six-in-line matching headstock (twelve string resembles "batwing" headstock) with raised chrome script logo, two or three pickups w/chrome surrounds, optio...

DANELECTRO '56 SINGLE CUTAWAY BASS Image

DANELECTRO '56 SINGLE CUTAWAY BASS

- single cutaway based on a 1956 Danelectro single cutaway, ostrich side tape, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, "dolphin" headstock with four-on-one-side tuners, rosewood saddle bridge, clear pickguard with "D" logo, two li...

DANELECTRO SITAR Image

DANELECTRO SITAR

- oval-shaped wood body, keyhole-shaped headstock, one pickup with chrome surround, "Reflective Stylized" pickguard with stenciled border design, chrome plated lap mount, "Sitarmatic" bridge, no drone strings as on Coral...

DANELECTRO CONVERTIBLE Image

DANELECTRO CONVERTIBLE

- double cutaway Masonite body with vinyl edging and round soundhole, floating bridge, no pickguard, body mounted input jack, "Coke bottle" headstock with decal logo through 1967, then 6-in-line headstock with raised chrome script...

DANELECTRO SHORTHORN DELUXE #60XX Image

DANELECTRO SHORTHORN DELUXE #60XX

- double cutaway Masonite body with vinyl edging, one, two, or three pickups, "Coke bottle" headstock, available in White with brown body binding or Walnut with white body binding, input jack on lower body edge, headstock and back of neck p...

DANELECTRO '56 SINGLE CUTAWAY Image

DANELECTRO '56 SINGLE CUTAWAY

- single cutaway based on a 1956 Danelectro single cutaway, ostrich side tape, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard, coke bottle headstock with three-per-side tuners (Black, Copper, or Red/Black Crackle finish), "dolphin" headstock with s...

DANELECTRO 56-U2 REISSUE Image

DANELECTRO 56-U2 REISSUE

- same as 56-U1 except has two lipstick tube-style single coil pickups, two sets of stacked volume/tone controls, 3-way selector switch, available in Aqua Burst, Beatnik Burgundy, Blue Burst, Blue Suede, Commie Red, Cool Copper, C...

DANELECTRO "C" SERIES (SINGLE CUTAWAY) Image

DANELECTRO "C" SERIES (SINGLE CUTAWAY)

- single cutaway wood smaller 11.25 in."Peanut" size body with vinyl edging, one or two pickups, early versions have brown vinyl tape wrapped pickups then Lipstick covers, clear pickguard with contrasting underlay, input jack on l...

DANELECTRO "C" SERIES Image

DANELECTRO "C" SERIES

- guitar, bass (four- and six-string), twelve-string, offset semi-solid "Durabody" with vinyl edging, six-in-line matching headstock (twelve-string resembles "batwing" headstock) with raised chrome script logo, two or three pickups with chr...

DANELECTRO HAWAIIAN GUITAR Image

DANELECTRO HAWAIIAN GUITAR

- staggered three-piece natural wood body with brown felt backing, one pickup, 36-fret stenciled pattern on fingerboard, stenciled logo on Rosewood slab mounted to headstock, extremely rare model, introduced 1958 through 1959.

DANELECTRO BELLZOUKI Image

DANELECTRO BELLZOUKI

- three body variations centered around a masonite teardrop-shaped body, one or two pickups, body mounted input jack, tortoiseshell pickguard and pickup surround, "Batwing" headstock, raised chrome script logo, Tobacco Brown Sunburst only,...

DANELECTRO SHORTHORN BASS #3412 Image

DANELECTRO SHORTHORN BASS #3412

- double cutaway Masonite body with vinyl edging, one pickup, white painted "Seal"-shaped pickguard, "Coke bottle" headstock, pickguard mounted input jack, four- and six-string versions, available in Bronze finish only, introduced 1958, pha...

DANELECTRO '59 PRO Image

DANELECTRO '59 PRO

- symmetrical double cutaway based on the 1959 Standard "Shorthorn," coke bottle headstock with three-per-side tuners, white pickguard, two lipstick pickups, two knobs, three-way pickup switch, chrome hardware, available in Black,...

DANELECTRO '58 LONGHORN BASS REISSUE Image

DANELECTRO '58 LONGHORN BASS REISSUE

- double cutaway with extended Horns, two lipstick tube single coil pickups and two stacked volume/tone controls, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays, available in Nifty Aqua, Blue Suede, Limo Black, Daddy-O Yellow, Beat...

DANELECTRO "U" SERIES Image

DANELECTRO "U" SERIES

- single cutaway Masonite body with vinyl edging, one or two pickups three pickups available in 1957, stenciled "D" logo and perimeter stripe on clear pickguard, input jack on lower body edge, "Coke bottle" headstock, two- and three-pickup...

DANELECTRO DANO '63 Image

DANELECTRO DANO '63

- offset double cutaway semi-hollow plywood body with a Masonite top modeled after the vintage Model 1449, bolt-on maple neck, 19-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, coke bottle headstock with vertical Danelectro logo, three-per-side...

DANELECTRO Longhorn Pro Image

DANELECTRO Longhorn Pro

- similar to '58 Longhorn Bass Reissue, except has adjustable bridge and upgraded tuners, available in Deep Blue Pearl or Black/White Pearl Burst finish, mfg. 2000-03.

DANELECTRO 56-U3 REISSUE Image

DANELECTRO 56-U3 REISSUE

- similar to the 56-U2 except has three lipstick tube single coil pickups. Features Select-O-Matic switching allowing for seven different tone settings, override switch allows for activation of all three pickups regardless of tone setting,...

DANELECTRO HAWK Image

DANELECTRO HAWK

- guitar, bass, and twelve-string versions, offset solid wood body w textured finish, six-in-line matching headstock (twelve-string resembles "batwing" headstock), one or two pickups (on two-pickup models the lower half of the con...

DANELECTRO LONGHORN GUITARLIN #4123 Image

DANELECTRO LONGHORN GUITARLIN #4123

- "lyre"-shaped Masonite body with vinyl edging, two pickups, wooden pointer concentric knobs, clear pickguard, input jack on lower body edge, "Coke bottle" headstock, pickups on early versions are mounted close together...

DANELECTRO "D" SERIES Image

DANELECTRO "D" SERIES

- guitar, bass (four- and six-string), twelve-string, offset sculpted solid wood body, six-in-line matching headstock (twelve-string resembles "batwing" headstock) with raised chrome script logo, two or three pickups with chrome surrounds,...

DANELECTRO 59-DC REISSUE Image

DANELECTRO 59-DC REISSUE

- similar to the 56-U2 except has double cutaway body style, two lipstick tube style single coil pickups and two stacked volume/tone controls, three-way selector switch, available in Daddy-O Yellow, Commie Red, Limo Black, Peachy Keen, Beat...

DANELECTRO DANO '63 LONG SCALE BASS Image

DANELECTRO DANO '63 LONG SCALE BASS

- offset double cutaway body modeled after the vintage Model 1449, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, Coke bottle headstock with vertical Danelectro logo, two-per-side tuners, combination adj. bridge/tailpiece, large cream pickgu...

DANELECTRO SLIMLINE Image

DANELECTRO SLIMLINE

- six- and twelve-string guitar, offset masonite semi-solid body with vinyl edging, six-in-line matching headstock (twelve-string resembles "batwing" headstock) w/raised chrome script logo, two or three pickups (two for twelve str...

DANELECTRO '59 DC Pro  Image

DANELECTRO '59 DC Pro

- similar to 59 DC Reissue, except has adjustable bridge, Gotoh tuners, available in Silver Metalflake, Black/Gold Pearl, or Deep Blue Pearl finish, mfg. 2000-03.

DANELECTRO DEAD ON '67 Image

DANELECTRO DEAD ON '67

- offset double cutaway basswood body modeled after the vintage Danelectro Hornet, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, Strat-style headstock with black overlay and vertical angled Danelectro logo, six-on-one-si...

DANELECTRO DC BASS Image

DANELECTRO DC BASS

- electronically similar to the '58 Longhorn Bass Reissue except has normal double cutaway body style, long scale rosewood neck with white dot inlays, dual tone and volume controls, available in Cool Copper, Limo Black, Daddy-O Yel...

DANELECTRO DC-3 REISSUE Image

DANELECTRO DC-3 REISSUE

- same as the 56-U3 except has double cutaway body style, available in Blue Suede, Limo Black, Commie Red, Black Metalflake, Silver Metalflake, or Turquoise Metalflake, mfg. 1999-2003.

DANELECTRO DOUBLENECK #3923 Image

DANELECTRO DOUBLENECK #3923

- 4-string bass/6-string guitar, "Shorthorn" style Masonite body with vinyl edging, two pickups, concentric knobs, clear pickguards, input jack on lower body edge, "Coke bottle" headstocks, Bronze and White Sunburst only, introduced 1958, p...

DANELECTRO 12-STRING Image

DANELECTRO 12-STRING

- 12-string variation of the 59-DC, two single coil Lipstick Tube pickups and two stacked volume/tone controls, has Gotoh tuners and adjustable bridge, available in Limo Black, White Pearl, Dark Blue Metalflake, Deep Purple Metalflake, or R...

DANELECTRO DANO PRO Image

DANELECTRO DANO PRO

- rectangle body shape with smooth contours based on the early 1960s Pro-1, coke bottle headstock with three-per-side tuners, triangular white pickguard, two lipstick pickups, two knobs, three-way pickup switch, chrome hardware, available i...

DANELECTRO DEAD ON '58 LONGHORN BASS Image

DANELECTRO DEAD ON '58 LONGHORN BASS

- double symmetrical cutaway hollow masonite and plywood body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, matching finish headstock overlay, two-per-side tuners with plastic buttons, standard rosewood bridge, two lipst...

DANELECTRO BARITONE REISSUE Image

DANELECTRO BARITONE REISSUE

- 56 body style with 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays, dual lipstick tube single coil pickups and two stacked volume/tone controls, three-way selector switch, available in Nifty Aqua, Limo Black, Daddy-O Yellow, Commi...

DANELECTRO DOUBLE CUTAWAY 1959 REISSUE Image

DANELECTRO DOUBLE CUTAWAY 1959 REISSUE

- symmetrical double cutaway based on the Original Factory Spec 1959 Standard "Shorthorn," coke bottle headstock with three-per-side tuners, rosewood saddle bridge, white pickguard, two lipstick pickups, two knobs, three-way picku...