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Photos too small? Click on photos, screenshots and diagrams in articles to open a Larger View gallery. January 2010
Other recent issues: | Danelectro Dano ‘63Electric guitarPublished in PM July 2009  Printer-friendly versionReviews : Guitar: Electric This recent addition to the Chinese-made Danelectro range recreates a popular Silvertone-branded beginner electric from the early ‘60s.  After disappearing some 30 years earlier, Danelectro made a major comeback in the late ‘90s. The reincarnated company initially opted to focus on effects pedals, but guitar production was recommenced during 1998, albeit in Korea, not America. The new selection eventually expanded to include revivals of the most popular US originals, plus numerous updated interpretations and some all-new designs. This range ran for five years before Danelectro decided to discontinue manufacture and concentrate solely on their very successful stomp boxes. However, 2005 saw the company stage another return to the electric guitar arena. Initially again coming from Korea before switching to China, this latest selection of Danelectro instruments has subsequently grown more gradually, with various limited editions coming and going to ensure that the line stays much leaner. Back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, Nat Daniel’s Danelectro company were contracted to manufacture electrics for Sears Roebuck, a major American retailer and mail order operation. These models were marketed under the latter’s Silvertone brand name and included examples sold complete with an amplifier incorporated into the guitar case, forming an ideal all-in-one starter setup. Based on the distinctive design of those particular six-strings, the Dano ’63 is a recent addition to the latest range. The valve-powered packaging hasn’t been revived, but in keeping with the company’s modern marketing policy the guitar has also been offered in matching bass and baritone guise, although these alternatives never actually appeared in original Silvertone form. Reissue round-up Danelectro have ensured easy and immediate identification of their third-generation models via an obvious change of headstock shape, with the company’s classic ‘coke bottle’ outline now altered to incorporate an asymmetric top. This very apparent amendment still doesn’t sit well with many fans of the brand, but it certainly seems here to stay and is duly used on the Dano ’63. Tuners represent another non-retro aspect, with modern metal-buttoned types fitted in place of anything even remotely period-correct. Like all other metalwork, these employ ‘zero-gloss’ nickel plating, intended to impart a vintage image that seems somewhat at odds with their contemporary construction. In contrast, the aluminium nut stays true to Dano tradition, although rather ironically it’s probably the one component that would actually benefit from a more practical update, as this material means the slots need even more attention to eliminate undue friction. The latter problem is unfortunately very apparent here, warranting further setup work. The rosewood fingerboard features more of a radius than the almost flat original, but the 19-fret count accurately echoes the Silvertone’s student electric status. These are well finished, providing a uniformly smooth playing surface, while the reduced number fosters a slightly foreshortened feel, although the standard Danelectro 25-inch (635mm) scale length is retained. Sitting on a body heel block that’s actually more than a mite narrower in width, the maple neck is secured in equally accurate Danelectro style, this being via four screws that even manage to look suitably authentic. Neck measurements are more modern mainstream than vintage, and regardless of body colour, the finish stays a sleek-feeling satin black. Back in the ’50s, body construction of most Danos ably demonstrated the company’s ultra low-cost approach, with a simple pine frame body faced on front and back with Masonite, better known here as hardboard. The latter is still put to good use on the latest line, although these days the semi-solid interior is made of plywood. The lightweight materials and interior air space combine to ensure that the Dano ’63 tips the scales at a nicely non-shoulder-pulling 3kg. As in the old days, the bare wood body sides are tarted up with vinyl tape in a suitably contrasting cream colour. This method was actually abandoned on the first models to appear in the most recent range, replaced by an all-encompassing painted finish. Since then, there’s been a change of policy, and it’s nice to see the return of an original classic characteristic. That said, on this example there’s evidence of the tape pulling away in the cutaways, which has always proved to be a common problem with the process. The body shape certainly apes the original pretty closely, which means the short but curvy horns are partnered by the slightly offset ‘bum cheek’ lower bouts that were a distinctive stylistic feature of the super-affordable Sears Silvertone. Offered in a variety of colour schemes, the satin body finish is nicely applied and combines with the matt metalwork for a dulled-down image that’s intended to engender 45-year-old appearances. In addition, tinted lacquer has been somewhat haphazardly sprayed on the body sides and scratchplate. The aim is obviously to enhance the ‘aged’ effect, but the brown stained streaks and odd mottled pattern make for a less than aesthetic end result. In fact, all this extra effort expended on what seems to be a needless and unconvincing cosmetic quirk tends to beg the simple question: what’s really so wrong with being bright and shiny? The scratchplate was another very apparent distinguishing feature of the original Silvertone, and here this is appropriately present and very correct. It‘s still made of white-faced Masonite, complete with the highly individual oval cutout that surrounds the neck pickup and a minimal quantity of accurate-style securing screws. New-generation hardware The ‘60s Silvertones sported one or two pickups, and Danelectro have sensibly opted to duplicate the more deluxe double version. The classic ‘lipstick’-style single coils have apparently been redesigned for the Dano ’63, using different Alnico magnets and coil wire to bring the sound closer to that of the originals, compared to the previous re-creations. Even the tubular cover has been slightly enlarged to accommodate a bigger coil, although it certainly still looks the part, even down to the centre seam. As usual, height adjustments are made via visually correct screws situated on the body back, but the internal tension springs seem to be made of sterner stuff than before, because the pickups can now be raised higher without becoming loose and floppy, which is a great improvement. As yet, none of the new-generation Danos employ the dual-concentric controls that were a trademark of most originals and also the previous Korean-made revival range. Instead, the Dano ’63 and its stablemates employ simple circuitry consisting of the same somewhat clunky, metal toggle pickup-selector switch, plus master volume and tone pots. The latter are topped with large black plastic knobs that look vaguely vintage, although their colour doesn’t best suit every finish choice. The same matt effect even extends to the switch and side-mounted output jack, which is an impressively comprehensive metal-plating match that should deservedly put many other, less particular makers to shame. All the new Dano models employ the same bridge/tailpiece that featured on certain interpretations of established Dano designs in the earlier Korean-sourced series. The rest of that range stuck with a copy of the original single wooden saddle type, but this simple alternative has yet to be seen on the latest examples. Rather than slots along the rear edge, the baseplate of this modern version incorporates a chunky bar section to anchor the strings. It employs the same simple but effective three-screw mounting method that allows overall height and angle to be amended. It’s all-metal and employs six saddles, individually adjustable for height and intonation, although altering the latter is tricky, as each saddle-securing screw is sited under the string. The controls are scratchplate-mounted, but there’s also a circular access cover on the body back. This black plastic plate is held by an appropriately primitive single-screw-and-bar arrangement that can be tricky to secure. Performance and playability In view of its semi-solid body, the Dano ’63 is unsurprisingly quite resonant, with some extra top-end tonality provided by the aluminium nut and all-metal bridge/tailpiece. The front pickup seems to be sited quite a way from the fingerboard end, but it’s actually in the correct harmonic spot for a normal-length neck. It sounds quite full, although bass is far from over-abundant, while treble content is on the sleek and snaky side. The bridge ‘lipstick’ is equally open, but with a harder, glassier bark that isn’t as thin or brash as the previous reissue pickups. Selecting the centre spot engages both pickups, but in series. This is a typical Dano wiring trick and it boosts the output of this option quite significantly, while adding an equally beefier tonal range. The lipsticks work well with a degree of gain-induced dirt, adding some crunch to clangy rhythm work, while lead sounds gain a gritty texture that’s just the job for effective and expressive bluesy noodling. Increasing overdrive further isn’t really to be recommended, as this results in reduced focus and definition, along with inviting a tendency to squeal at higher volumes. Conclusion Although the niche market and accordingly less popular Dano ’63 baritone appears to be in short supply, its guitar and bass stablemates have proved very successful and consequently still form part of the current catalogue. It may be based on a beginner electric, but this compact six-string is very much the real deal, packed with plenty of retro charm, plus modern playability and some useful sounds. The model title refers to a time when the original Danelectro company catered for the needs of embryonic axe heroes via a succession of simple but effective instruments offered at very affordable prices. On the evidence of this neat little performer, the latest line repeats the feat with equal ability, but also holds plenty of attraction for more experienced players, hopefully ensuring an even longer shelf life for this famous brand name. 0  Published in PM July 2009  | Dano ‘63 £229 The styling may be different, but the Dano ‘63 employs the brand’s successful format, which includes lipstick-style single coils, a lightweight semi-solid body and useful performance abilities. Appeal is enhanced by an asking price that’s still very competitive even after recent increases.
Tech Spec Dano ’63 Hardboard and plywood semi-solid body. Bolt-on maple neck. 19-fret rosewood fingerboard. 25-inch (635mm) scale. Six-saddle bridge/tailpiece. Two lipstick-style single-coil pickups. One volume, one tone, three-way pickup selector switch. Weight: 3kg. Aqua, Black, Burgundy, Gold, Keen Green, Peach, Redburst or Tangerine finishes. |
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