Danelectro C

The Danelectro C model guitars were the first instruments designed by Danelectro, coming in both single and dual pickup versions. Designed by 1953, until being replaced by the Danelectro U model in 1956.¹ they were put into production and retailed from 1954 to 1955²

Unlike most all the later Danelectro instruments, the C model was a solid body construction made of poplar and came in a peanut-like body shape. These early guitars did not have a modern truss rod, but had a ¾" square aluminum tube² to prevent the neck from warping.³

On debut these first guitars predated Danelectro's now signature lipstick pickup design, and instead wrapped their pickups in vinyl tape and placed them hidden under a melamine pickguard. This was replaced in 1955 when Nathan Daniel apparently acquired a job lot of surplus lipstick tubes which he utilized for makeshift pickup covers.⁴ The pickups when both selected are wired in series rather than the more standard parallel used today by most big brands.