Danelectro: The Innovator of Affordable Cool

Danelectro was founded in 1947 by Nathan “Nat” Daniel in Red Bank, New Jersey, originally producing amplifiers before branching into guitars in the mid-1950s. From its earliest models to its latest reissues, Danelectro has maintained a unique place in guitar history—creating inventive, budget-friendly instruments that punch well above their price.

What sets Danelectro apart is its bold combination of unconventional materials and sonic innovation. Many vintage Danelectros were built with Masonite (hardboard) body tops and backs mounted on lightweight frames, and their necks were often reinforced with steel rods instead of a traditional truss rod. Their signature “lipstick tube” pickups—so named because the pickup coil and magnet were housed in chrome-plated tubes originally intended for lipstick—became legendary for their bright, jangly tone. Danelectro was also responsible for early innovations like the six-string electric bass (1956), which predated Fender’s Bass VI by several years and found a niche in studio “tic-tac” bass lines.  

During the 1960s, Danelectro enjoyed strong demand—particularly via catalog sales to stores like Sears under the Silvertone label—but was eventually sold to MCA in 1966, and the original U.S. operations folded by 1969. Decades later, in the 1990s, the brand was revived under new ownership with limited reissues and modern variants.  

Today, Danelectro models—from U-series and Shorthorn guitars to the quirky Dano Pro and baritone variants—are prized for their tonal character, affordability, and vintage charm. For many players, Danelectro’s legacy lies in proving that you don’t need exotic woods or fancy finishes to make something truly memorable—and that a “budget” guitar can become iconic in its own right.

More info from the Web:

Danelectro website