Danelectro steel

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 17 Jan 2012 3:38 am

Low tech Danelectro guitars with their lipstick pickups always had a unique niche. This Danelectro steel almost looks like a high school shop project.

http://www.musurgia.com/products.asp?Pr ... 7691172012

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 18 Jan 2012 7:15 am

I want one of those Echo Boxes with the "Swiss Alps" simulation.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 18 Jan 2012 8:06 am

Tim Whitlock wrote:I want one of those Echo Boxes with the "Swiss Alps" simulation.

LoL ... I love the old promo material MLA posts for us!

Andy Volk wrote:Low tech Danelectro guitars with their lipstick pickups always had a unique niche. This Danelectro steel almost looks like a high school shop project.

http://www.musurgia.com/products.asp?Pr ... 7691172012

Definitely not a lot of time was wasted in the design department, though my gut feeling is that it probably did not sound bad. Poplar is a very neutral tone wood and those original lipstick pups, though low output, had a certain sweetness to their tone.

I've often thought that a semi hollow steel built like the Danelectro Spanish style guitars of the day would be fun.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 18 Jan 2012 8:11 am

Really ugly guitar, I have to admit. I really have a lot of respect for Nat Daniels, though. As an indepedent amp builder for Epiphone, those old Electar Zephyrs are the finest amps of their time (1940s).

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 18 Jan 2012 8:16 am

As David Lindley, and many Chicago blues greats proved time and time again, cheap equipment doesn't necessarily equal bad tone. Those masonite Danos from the '60s sure have a unique and wonderful sound when played through the right amp. Even the' 90s reissues are pretty dang cool. But, as far as this particular steel goes, to quote Redd Foxx: "Beauty is skin deep but ugly goes clear to the bone."

Frank James Pracher · Post by **Frank James Pracher** » 18 Jan 2012 8:29 am

Tom Pettingill wrote:
I've often thought that a semi hollow steel built like the Danelectro Spanish style guitars of the day would be fun.

I have often thought the same thing! Do you know anybody who builds lap steels?

Masonite, pine or poplar, and a lipstick tube pickup are a wonderful thing.
I think those MOT Magnatone guitars are the closest thing in lap steel world.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 18 Jan 2012 9:28 am

I always liked this little Dano cutie, if an 8 ever popped up I'd be all over it.

Nat was a resident of Hawaii Kai on Oahu and actually had his name listed in the phonebook. He was so into his current projects like his Super Outrigger that he didn't care much about the guitar days other than it propelled him in life towards bigger ticket things. Nice guy, and sent me a pack full of stuff he was in to at the time.

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 18 Jan 2012 6:08 pm

I remember the amps from that brand, but never saw any of the steels.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 18 Jan 2012 9:07 pm

Dano lap steels come up on eBay every couple of years, and they usually sell for way more than they should.

Their lap steels were like their electric guitars... plain and ugly, and made of the cheapest materials available at the time. No part too cheap! A lot of players really like Danelectros though for their gritty tone and primitive design.

From Rick Alexander's site:

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 18 Jan 2012 10:12 pm

I wonder how they accomplished the echo in the Echo Box. This was before the days of solid state reverb pedals and the box doesn't look large enough to accomodate a spring unit.

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 19 Jan 2012 1:37 am

Think I need to see a doctor, i think its wonderfull and have done for ages, Something very 'quaker' about it, fewest number of parts etc. Just ordered plans for this, will probably put in my wallace pup, the lipstick defo not fer me. Ebay prices through the roof. Born a loner I guess !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Hc_cK279c

Jouni Karvonen · Post by **Jouni Karvonen** » 19 Jan 2012 5:35 am

I agree with Kevin.
"Less is more" - Mies van der Rohe

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 19 Jan 2012 6:53 am

Well, if you're a fan of "less" how about one of these guitars?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCFXeChXfcI

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 19 Jan 2012 7:26 am

I wonder what brand of bailing wire Jack used?

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 19 Jan 2012 12:14 pm

Coolest part of that is the cows.....

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 19 Jan 2012 4:05 pm

Yes, Danelectro steels do look like high school projects. I would be ashamed to put something like this on the market. To add to that, I would be ashamed to produce guitars which have lipstick holders to hold the pickups, but somehow they seem to have become a cult. It takes all sorts to make a world.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 19 Jan 2012 6:50 pm

I agree, Alan. Danelectro has a cult following for some reason. Those lipstick tube pickups have become legendary! When the company started building electric guitars in the 1950s they bought cases of surplus lipstick tubes... wrapped a coil around a magnet and inserted it into the tube... instant pickup! Like I said, no part too cheap.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 20 Jan 2012 6:30 am

And to think, they didn't even need the lipstick casings, those were just for 'cosmetics'.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 20 Jan 2012 9:10 am

...the lipstick casings, those were just for 'cosmetics'.

...kinda like putting "lipstick on a pig"

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 20 Jan 2012 9:52 am

Plans ordered, looks like just you n me Jouni, whats wrong with these fella's, i reckon with a few tweaks she's gonna be a real sweety, sure dont need to tweak the looks tho !! ok lads, gloves off !!

Tim Victor · Post by **Tim Victor** » 21 Jan 2012 10:33 am

Kevin, if I didn't already have unfinished projects piled so high I can barely see over them, I'd be right there with you joining in on the fun for sure. Love Danelectros, made in Neptune NJ during the Cold War by lefties who couldn't get clearance to work in defense manufacturing, or so the tale is told. Good luck and post pictures!

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 21 Jan 2012 12:45 pm

Many here are vastly underestimating the man and his products. One must remember the market he was dealing with. He wasn't selling to Pros or even good players, he was selling to parents, buying Junior's first steel or guitar at Sears, or Monkey Ward's. His guitars were very cheaply built, but because of his solid and innovative designing, they were sturdy, held up well, sounded reasonably good, and were easy to play.
http://uniqueguitar.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... fiers.html

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 21 Jan 2012 1:30 pm

Wahaay Im 'bonding' with forumites, what a new found joy to realise Im not the only nutter on the block, beginning to feel normal again. Plans arrived today, what a hoot ! Gonna take my time tho. Im actually used to plans, normally I build and fly these
http://www.hyperflight.co.uk/products.a ... LASTER%2D3.
If it looks half as nice as this I'll not only be well happy but be seriously in 'pocket'

The more I look at these pics the more fascinated become with the minimal approach of the design, a remarkable feat !

Tim Victor · Post by **Tim Victor** » 21 Jan 2012 1:42 pm

Putting bad ideas in my head, man...

Is this one? David Lindley w/ Jackson Browne - BBC 1978 - "Doctor My Eyes" & "These Days":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08i-2j6OmmA

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 21 Jan 2012 1:52 pm

That's a pretty close recreation of the original Dano, but with a nicer finish and better quality hardware, from what I can see. I just realized that the Dano body is shaped a lot like the National asymetrical bodies, in particular the Triplex Chord Changer.