Danelectro Dan O. Cool Aqua
The Danelectro Dan O. Cool Aqua pairs a distinctive 1950s-inspired design with two lipstick single-coil pickups and simple controls. Confirm the actual scale length before buying, since the supplied specifications list two different measurements.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Danelectro Dan O. Cool Aqua review
The Danelectro Dan O. Cool Aqua is a semi-hollow electric guitar inspired by Danelectro's 1954 models, with modern improvements noted in the product description. Its Dan O. Cool Double Cut body pairs Masonite construction with a center block. The Aqua high-gloss finish, white dot fingerboard inlays, U3 pickguard, and chrome hardware give the specification a clear visual identity, though the available data does not describe the finish or construction in greater detail.
The listed price is 619. The guitar has been available since July 2026, and its item number is 638687. No customer reviews are available, so there is no basis here for claims about playing feel, sound quality, build consistency, or long-term reliability. This assessment sticks to the published specifications.
Body, neck, and scale-length discrepancy
The body and top are both listed as Masonite. The body is described as semi-hollow with a center block, a construction detail worth noting for players comparing it with fully hollow instruments or solid-body guitars. The bolt-on neck is maple, and the fingerboard is rosewood with white dot inlays. There are 21 frets.
The scale information is inconsistent. One specification lists 635 mm, while the detailed description gives 533 mm and identifies it as 21 inches. Those figures do not match: 21 inches is approximately 533 mm, not 635 mm. Buyers who need to confirm string length, replacement parts, or compatibility with a particular setup should ask the seller or Danelectro to verify the intended scale before ordering. The published data alone does not establish which figure is correct.
The listing also identifies a 1954 "Full Bell" headstock and Skate Key machine heads described as a 1958 type. These period references sit alongside the modern-improvements description, but the data does not specify what those improvements involve. The nut is aluminum. A traditional bridge with a rosewood saddle completes the stated bridge hardware.
Pickups and controls
The pickup-system field uses the abbreviation SS. The detailed specification describes two Lipstick Dano 50's single-coil pickups. That specific description provides more information than the abbreviated field, although the listing does not include output, wiring, magnet, or frequency-response details. There is no published basis for predicting how the guitar will sound through a particular amplifier or at different volume levels.
Controls consist of one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way switch. This is a straightforward layout on paper, with the switch providing selection among the listed pickup options. The manufacturer's information does not explain the exact switching positions or whether additional wiring features are present, so those details should not be assumed.
Hardware, finish, and included items
The guitar is finished in Aqua high gloss and has chrome hardware. Its stated strings are D'Addario EXL 110. No tremolo is fitted. Neither a case nor a gig bag is included, according to the supplied specifications. The sales unit is one piece, which confirms the listing is for a single guitar rather than a multi-item package.
These details matter when budgeting for the instrument. The listed price does not include a case or gig bag, and the data does not identify any other accessories. Players who need a protective bag or case should account for that separately. The string set is specified, but the listing does not say whether the instrument ships with that set installed.
Who should consider it?
On paper, the Dan O. Cool Aqua may interest players drawn to its distinctive Double Cut outline, semi-hollow construction, Masonite body and top, and pair of lipstick single-coil pickups. The rosewood fingerboard, maple bolt-on neck, and traditional bridge provide further construction details for comparison with other guitars in this category. Its Aqua finish and period-referenced headstock and tuners are also central parts of the stated design.
The clearest issue to resolve before purchase is the scale length, since 533 mm and 635 mm describe substantially different dimensions. The pickup abbreviation and detailed pickup description are not necessarily contradictory, but the listing does not provide enough electrical detail for a deeper assessment. With no customer feedback available, conclusions about comfort, tuning stability, tone, or workmanship would be speculation. The published specifications offer a useful outline, but buyers should confirm the scale and any desired setup details with the seller before committing.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Two Danelectro 1950s-style lipstick single-coil pickups with a three-way selector offer straightforward tonal control.
- Semi-hollow body with a center block, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard.
- Includes practical details such as a rosewood bridge saddle, aluminum nut, and chrome hardware.
What bugged me
- The listed scale lengths conflict: one specification gives 635 mm, while the detailed description gives 533 mm.
- No case or gig bag is included, and there is no tremolo.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for players drawn to Danelectro's 1950s-inspired styling and a simple two-pickup control layout. Consider it if you are comfortable verifying the scale length before purchase.Look elsewhere if
Not a good fit for buyers who require a confirmed scale measurement without checking with the seller. Skip it if you need an included case, gig bag, or tremolo.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Aqua
- Body
- Masonite
- Top
- Masonite
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 21
- Scale
- 635 mm
- Pickup system
- SS
- Tremolo
- No
- Including case
- No
- Incl. gigbag
- No
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What scale length does the Danelectro Dan O. Cool Aqua have?
The supplied information lists both 635 mm and 533 mm (21 inches). These measurements conflict, so confirm the instrument's actual scale length with the seller before ordering.
What pickups and controls does it have?
It has two Danelectro 1950s-style lipstick single-coil pickups, a three-way selector, and volume and tone controls.
Is this guitar fully hollow?
No. The description identifies it as a semi-hollow guitar with a center block.
Does it come with a case or gig bag?
No. The supplied specifications say that neither a case nor a gig bag is included.
Does it have a tremolo?
No. The specifications state that it has no tremolo and describe a traditional bridge with a rosewood saddle.
The last word from the bench
This guitar offers a recognizable Danelectro design, a semi-hollow body with a center block, and a direct control layout. Its two lipstick pickups and three-way switch provide a useful range of basic settings, though the listed specifications do not establish how it sounds in practice. The conflicting scale measurements are a significant detail to verify with the seller. A case or gig bag is not included.
Hanging next to it
Danelectro Dan O. Cool Aqua
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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