Danelectro 59 Vintage 12 String Dark Aqua

Danelectro 59 Vintage 12 String Dark Aqua review

The Danelectro 59 Vintage 12 String Dark Aqua pairs a distinctive vintage look with a twelve-string layout and two lipstick single-coil pickups. Its listed price is 619, and the model has been available since August 2018. Owner feedback ranges from enthusiastic praise for its clear, chiming sound and tuning stability to frustration with setup work and a finish that may look darker in person than in product photos.

That spread of experiences matters with a twelve-string guitar. A good example can be inspiring straight out of the box, while a neck or action adjustment can have a noticeable effect on playability. The reports here suggest the Danelectro can deliver a rewarding result, but buyers should allow for the possibility of a professional setup rather than assuming every instrument will arrive ready to play.

Construction and vintage styling

The body frame and center block are made from poplar, with Masonite used for the top and back. The bolt-on maple neck carries a Pau Ferro fingerboard with 21 frets. Its 635 mm scale, equivalent to 25 inches, gives the guitar a compact scale length compared with many full-scale electric guitars. The double-cutaway body includes an S-shaped sound hole, and the headstock has a bottle-shaped outline with a 3+3 tuner arrangement.

Dark Aqua is a prominent part of the model's identity, though the finish is a point of disagreement in owner accounts. One player loves its deliberately dated character. Another found the actual color substantially more subdued than the product photos, and described the pickguard as having a yellowed cast. That difference may be disappointing if you are buying primarily for a bright, saturated shade. If possible, check the guitar in person or confirm the seller's return terms.

The guitar ships with D'Addario EXL150 strings, according to the supplied specifications. Neither a hard case nor a gig bag is included. A suitable case is listed separately, so include protection in your budget if you need to transport or store the instrument safely.

Pickups, controls, and sound

Two 56 Vintage lipstick single-coil pickups provide the amplified sound. The control layout is straightforward: one master volume, one master tone, and a three-way toggle switch. That keeps adjustments simple while giving players a way to select between pickup positions and blend the guitar into different parts of an arrangement. The bridge is fully adjustable, and the tuners follow a Kluson-style design.

Owners most often praise the bright, ringing character expected from a twelve-string. One reviewer describes a strong chime and says the guitar feels light on the shoulder. Another singles out the neck pickup for a clear sound with a fuller body, and reports little unwanted noise. These are subjective impressions, but they point to a useful range: the pickups can provide definition for jangling chord work while retaining enough weight for a more rounded neck-pickup sound.

Not every report is as positive. One owner calls the sound average, a clear reminder that the instrument's character will not suit every player or setup. Pickup height, strings, amplifier settings, and playing style can all affect the result, but the available feedback does not establish a single response that every buyer should expect. Listen to the guitar through your own equipment if possible.

Playability and tuning

Tuning stability receives particularly strong praise from several owners, including players who say they were surprised by how well the guitar stayed in tune. That is encouraging on a twelve-string, where keeping paired strings in tune is central to the instrument's usefulness. Still, these are individual experiences, not a guarantee that every new guitar will behave identically.

Setup feedback is mixed. Some players found the factory adjustment excellent, while another encountered a slightly bowed neck and needed to adjust the truss rod. That owner notes that the guitar came with the small adjustment tools needed for the job. For buyers unfamiliar with twelve-string setup, having a qualified technician check neck relief, action, and intonation is a sensible first step. This is especially worthwhile if the instrument arrives with uncomfortable action or does not hold tuning reliably.

Verdict

The Danelectro 59 Vintage 12 String Dark Aqua has an unusual visual profile, a clearly specified construction, and a pickup layout that owners often associate with bright, satisfying chime. Positive reports also highlight its light feel and dependable tuning. The caveats are practical: the color may be less vivid than expected, setup quality varies, and at least one owner found the sound underwhelming. No case or gig bag is supplied.

At a listed price of 619, it is worth considering for players who want a distinctive twelve-string and appreciate Danelectro's vintage styling. Go in with realistic expectations about finish appearance and initial adjustment, and assess the sound through the kind of rig you actually use. For players who connect with its tone and look, owner feedback suggests it can be a highly enjoyable instrument.