Danelectro 59M NOS+ Orange Metalflake

First impressions

The Danelectro 59M NOS+ Orange Metalflake makes a strong visual impression before you plug it in. Its bright finish has a metallic sparkle that owners say looks especially striking under artificial light. The offset double-cutaway body, short upper horn, and contrasting Masonite top give it a silhouette that stands apart from more familiar electric guitar designs.

At a listed price of $599, this is a guitar with a clear personality. The appeal is not based on conventional styling or an attempt to imitate a standard solid-body design. Its lightweight poplar frame and center block, Masonite top and back, maple neck, and Pau Ferro fingerboard are part of a distinctive construction. The model has been available since July 2020.

Feel and construction

One owner describes the guitar as very lightweight and the neck as comfortable, with a slim C-shaped feel. The specifications confirm a maple neck and 21 frets on a 635 mm scale. That combination may suit players who want a compact-feeling instrument, though the neck description comes from an individual report rather than a published neck-profile specification.

Reports on setup and finish are mixed. Some buyers describe receiving a cleanly finished instrument that was properly set up and ready to play. One owner praised the finish and said the guitar played well straight out of the box. Another found the factory setup poor, with high strings that would not sound properly in first position. A separate report mentioned occasional rattle on the A string during a forceful attack. Setup quality may therefore vary, and it is worth checking the action, tuning, and every fret when the guitar arrives.

There are also differing accounts of durability. One owner found the construction acceptable, while noting that it did not feel as robust as more expensive or familiar alternatives. Another reported that the vinyl binding began to peel near the neck joint after a week of use. That is a specific complaint, not proof that every example has the same problem, but it deserves attention during inspection, particularly around the body edges and neck joint.

Pickups and controls

Two NOS+ lipstick single-coil pickups provide the guitar's core sound. An owner describes them as lively and twangy, with a vintage character, and says they work for both clear tones and fuzzier psychedelic rock sounds. The simple pickup format and three-way switch make it easy to move between the available pickup selections without a complicated control layout.

The guitar has two stacked volume and tone controls. One reported issue is that the stacked controls on a particular instrument moved together, so adjusting the tone also moved the volume control. That is not how independent controls should behave, and buyers should test both knobs separately. The listed hardware also includes a wraparound bridge and a double-action truss rod. There is no tremolo system.

What to check after unboxing

Several reports describe a good out-of-box experience, but the differing setup feedback makes a careful first inspection sensible. Check that each string sounds clearly along the fingerboard, listen for unwanted rattle, and confirm that the tuning and string action suit your playing. Test the stacked controls independently, and look over the vinyl binding for any lifting or separation.

One owner heard creaking from the aluminum nut while bending the B and high E strings. A small amount of pencil graphite in the nut slots resolved the issue for that player. This is a practical observation rather than a guaranteed fix for every nut or tuning problem. If the guitar has persistent binding, tuning, or fret issues, a qualified setup is the safer next step.

Verdict

The Danelectro 59M NOS+ Orange Metalflake is best suited to players drawn to its unmistakable look, light weight, and bright lipstick-pickup sound. The finish is a major part of its appeal, while its vintage-leaning tones can cover clean, twangy playing and fuzzier textures. Owners who received well-adjusted examples report an enjoyable instrument that encourages them to play.

Quality and setup feedback is less consistent. Reports include a peeling binding edge, linked stacked controls, string rattle, and a factory setup that needed attention. Those concerns do not erase the positive accounts, but they make inspection important. The guitar includes no case or gig bag, so those costs may matter if you need protection for transport. For a player looking for a distinctive instrument rather than a generic workhorse, this Danelectro has real character, provided its individual fit and setup check out.