1957 Danelectro U2 with “Faux Ostrich” covering over Masonite body. Been in same family since at least 1962! Plays and sounds fantastic, and gets a 9.9 for coolness. I’ve only seen a few of these with this textured vinyl covering…and never in person! There have been a couple “faux ostrich” U1 (single pickup) models on the market in the last year, and another U2…all with high price tags. The rarer colors are hot hot hot right now. And this one is rare Rare RARE. All original, no mods. All solder joints are original, all pots and switch are original. CTS pots, code 137-739 (39th week of 1957). Serial number 1217 stamped inside control plate. Additional provenance added with previous owners each writing their names inside control cavity! This has been in storage for a long time…decades…and came in with an ancient set of flat-wound strings (old Pyramids no doubt), a quite heavy .012″‘.058″! This caused a small amount of bow in the last 5-6 frets, but we were able to lightly dress the frets just enough that the neck notes clean all the way up. Frets still look clean with good height all the way up. A tad more relief than ideal, but it is still a great playing 65 year old Danelectro. We cleaned the pots and switch, did a little minor setup with D’Addario 10-46 strings. Sound is phenomenal…it will take you back to your garage band days. Includes original chipboard alligator case in usable condition.
Interesting fact: You could get a U2 for only $100.00 in 1957. A U1 was $75!! Or you could go to a music store and buy a Stratocaster for $274.50, or perhaps a Telecaster for $199.00. A 1957 Les Paul Custom listed for $375.00!! So, obviously this model appealed to a lot of teenagers. But your money went quite a way…2 single coil picks with separate volume and tone for each pickup, a three way toggle, and wired in series…meaning a lot of punch in middle position!
$4500.00. Please feel free to make a reasonable offer by contacting us.
Please contact me if you have any questions, want more pics, etc….
Please follow me on Facebook.