Danelectro 57 Jade

Danelectro 57 Jade review

The Danelectro 57 Jade has a look and sound that stand apart from the familiar solidbody guitar template. Its Jade finish, distinctive body shape, and vintage-style lipstick pickups give it a strong identity before it is even plugged in. Player reports also point to a lightweight, balanced instrument with a comfortable neck and a broad range of usable sounds. The trade-offs are a basic bridge, a tone control that may be awkward to reach, and some possible setup work.

The model has been available since April 2020. The listed price is 655, and the item number is 490515. Published specifications describe a spruce body with a Masonite top; a more detailed description calls it a spruce body with a solid frame. The neck is maple, and the fingerboard is listed as Pao Ferro. Danelectro's specification and a player's report do not agree on the fingerboard material: that owner said their instrument had rosewood instead. Check with the seller if the wood on a specific guitar matters to you.

Construction and playing feel

Owners describe the 57 Jade as light and well balanced, with a comfortable neck that feels inviting for extended playing. One reviewer called it the best Danelectro they had handled. Another said the guitar arrived nearly at their preferred action, though the strings were just a little high. These are individual experiences rather than a guarantee that every example will arrive with the same setup.

The maple neck has a double-action truss rod and 21 frets. One owner found the truss rod very tight on arrival and made a substantial adjustment to loosen the neck. They also changed from a.010 to.046 string set to a.011 to.048 set. That report is worth keeping in mind if you plan to change string gauges or are not comfortable adjusting a truss rod. A qualified technician can check neck relief and setup before you make changes.

That same owner praised the bone nut for its fit. Another noted slightly protruding fret ends, so fret finishing may vary from one instrument to another. The guitar comes without a case or gig bag, which should be factored into the purchase if you need protection for transport or storage.

Controls and pickup sounds

Two vintage-style 1950s lipstick single-coil pickups provide the core of the 57 Jade's sound. A three-way selector chooses the pickups, while stacked volume and tone controls let players adjust each pickup separately. With both pickups engaged, their individual settings offer plenty of scope for shaping the combined sound. Players describe the guitar as especially rewarding for clean tones and sounds that move into crunch, with one owner also praising it for blues and jazz-influenced playing.

Those impressions suggest a versatile instrument, but they are subjective, and the pickups retain the character associated with this design. The sound is a major part of the guitar's appeal for reviewers who wanted something different from their other instruments. If you are shopping for a familiar, high-output humbucker sound, the 57 Jade's two single-coil pickups may not be the obvious fit.

One practical criticism concerns the tone control. An owner found its operation poor and disliked having it positioned above the volume control. The stacked arrangement keeps the controls compact, but it may take some getting used to, especially when making adjustments quickly. Try the control layout in person if possible.

Bridge and value

The bridge is a straightforward design with an action adjustment, but one owner considered it basic and wondered whether they preferred the traditional wooden version. The listed specifications show no tremolo, so players looking for a vibrato arm should look elsewhere. The Gotoh vintage-style tuning machines received a positive report for their quality.

Overall, the Danelectro 57 Jade makes the strongest case for itself through its distinctive appearance, low weight, comfortable feel, and individual pickup controls. The bridge and stacked tone control are clear compromises, and owners have reported differences in setup, fret ends, and even fingerboard material. Those details make an in-person inspection useful, particularly if you want a guitar ready to play straight from the box.

For players drawn to the vintage look and the distinct voice of lipstick pickups, the 57 Jade has plenty of personality. It is a more compelling choice for someone who wants that particular sound and feel than for a buyer seeking a conventional, all-purpose design. Confirm the fingerboard specification with the retailer, budget for a case if needed, and check the setup before deciding.